This isn’t the NBA or NFL. Free agency tends to take more time to unfold in baseball. Some of the people on this list may very well be unsigned when spring training opens in February. But today marks the first day when teams can sign other clubs’ players, so the action should intensify shortly.
Oh, the list? Thanks for asking. These are my top 30 free agents this winter — ranked by value, rather than by how much money they’re going to make this winter. I compiled the rankings using the Wins Above Replacement measures, calculated by Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs.com, of the players’ 2011 and 2012 seasons.
The predictions of a player’s contract terms and destination come from reporting, looking at financial precedents and attempting to think along with the player, his representative and the involved team’s ownership and front office.
1. Michael Bourn, OF
The premier center fielder in a free-agent class stocked with outfielders. His agent, Scott Boras, has an excellent relationship with the Nationals. Prediction: Washington, five years, $85 million.
2. Melky Cabrera, OF
Yup, he ranks this high based on the way he played the prior two seasons. The question every team wants to know is, how much of that is attributable to PEDs? Prediction: Mets, one year, $4 million.
3. Torii Hunter, OF
He turns 38 next July, but he can still play — very well. He’d love a shot at the Big Apple. Prediction: Yankees, two years, $28 million.
4. Shane Victorino, OF
A subpar 2012 will deflate his value. As he’ll turn 32 later this month, clubs must decide which direction he’s heading.
Prediction: Atlanta, three years, $30 million.
5. Josh Hamilton, OF
He’ll get the most per year of anyone here. That’s a safe bet. He and the Rangers might need each other too much to part ways. Prediction: Texas, four years, $110 million.
6. Hiroki Kuroda, RHP
One scout from an NL team called him “the most underrated right-handed starter in baseball.” It’ll be a battle of the Coasts.
Prediction: Dodgers, two years, $32 million.
7. Mike Napoli, C-1B
Tailed off after a spectacular 2011. He’s an interesting blend — catches some, yet not all the time — who needs a flexible team to thrive. Prediction: Boston, three years, $33 million.
8. Zack Greinke, RHP
If Hamilton will get the most per year, then Greinke likely will land the largest overall package. The Angels badly want to retain him. Prediction: Angels, six years, $126 million.
9. Anibal Sanchez, RHP
Proved in Detroit he can handle the AL just fine. He turns 29 in February and has pitched between 195 and 196 ¹/3 innings the last three seasons. Prediction: Detroit, five years, $80 million.
10. David Ortiz, DH
A free agent for the second straight year, Big Papi has reportedly been negotiating a two-year extension to remain in his kingdom.
Prediction: Boston, two years, $27 million.
11. B.J. Upton, OF
He lives year-round in Tampa. The Phillies train in nearby Clearwater. The Phillies need a center fielder.
Prediction: Philadelphia, six years, $100 million.
12. Nick Swisher, OF-1B
Can he find a big-market team where he doesn’t have to be the centerpiece and where he and actress wife can expand their brand?
Prediction: Washington, five years, $70 million.
13. Kyle Lohse, RHP
He put up an excellent platform season and should generate plenty of interest from those who don’t want to dip in the Greinke pool. Prediction: Milwaukee, three years, $36 million.
14. Brandon McCarthy, RHP
His great comeback story took a very scary turn when he took a batted ball to his head in early September, necessitating surgery.
Prediction: Oakland, one year, $9 million.
15. Edwin Jackson, RHP
The weary traveler settled for a one-year deal with Washington last winter in free agency. He surely hopes to get multiple years this time. Prediction: Toronto, four years, $48 million.
16. Angel Pagan, OF
The former Met made a positive impression in his new home, so much so that the Giants would like to retain him.
Prediction: San Francisco, four years, $44 million.
17. Ryan Dempster, RHP
He would have been better off blocking that trade to Texas. Yeesh. Turns 36 next May. Prediction: Dodgers, two years, $24 million.
18. Kevin Youkilis, 3B-1B
“Youk” very much enjoyed his new Sox, and the White Sox liked having him around. They turned down a $13 million team option on him, though. Prediction: White Sox, three years, $30 million.
19. Marco Scutaro, IF
The Giants tend to keep their own guys whom they like, and they sure liked their NLCS MVP. Prediction: San Francisco, two years, $9 million.
20. Bartolo Colon, RHP
Like Cabrera, a failed PED test cast some doubt on surprisingly good numbers. Will sit out the first five games of 2013 to finish suspension. Prediction: Cleveland, one year, $1 million.
21. Russell Martin, C
He drew criticism for turning down a three-year deal for about $20 million last winter. He just might get the last laugh.
Prediction: Yankees, three years, $22 million.
22. Lance Berkman, 1B-OF
He says he’s not sure whether he wants to keep playing. It doesn’t seem prudent to believe him. Prediction: Houston, one year, $3 million.
23. Shaun Marcum, RHP
Slowed by a right elbow problem in ’12, he still put up overall strong numbers.
Prediction: San Diego, two years, $20 million.
24. A.J. Pierzynski, C
Will White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf lead the charge to bring him back? Or is this prosperous marriage finally over?
Prediction: Seattle, two years, $10 million.
25. Adam LaRoche, 1B
The Nationals could sign Swisher to play first base, forcing LaRoche to look elsewhere for work.
Prediction: Seattle, three years, $33 million.
26. Scott Baker, RHP
A strong bounce-back candidate after missing 2012 due to right elbow surgery, Baker will likely settle for a one-year deal to re-establish his market. Prediction: Yankees, one year, $6 million.
27. Carlos Lee, 1B
He isn’t getting much money after a lousy ’12. Prediction: Colorado, one year, $2 million.
28. Mike Adams, RHP
The reliever underwent surgery last month to correct thoracic outlet syndrome. Rehabilitation will likely take him into next season.
Prediction: Texas, one year, $4 million.
29. Joe Saunders, LHP
He put up a strong few weeks with the Orioles, leaving a good impression.
Prediction: Baltimore, two years, $14 million.
30. Jeff Francis, LHP
His ’12 season doesn’t look as bad when you consider he pitched his home games, once again, in hitter-friendly Coors Field.
Prediction: Colorado, two years, $12 million.
kdavidoff@nypost.com