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Timing the debuts of top prospects is essential for MLB teams. No club wants to expose a player to top competition before he's ready, but keeping a player in the minors when he could be contributing at the big league level is hardly appealing either. It's a balancing act.

Though a player's development generally determines his timeline to the Major Leagues, service time is undeniably a consideration. MLB teams can obtain an extra year of control from a player by delaying his debut and they can decrease his chances of qualifying for an additional year of arbitration with enough patience.

Heavily-hyped prospects often have carefully-timed debuts, and Baseball America's list of the game's top 100 prospects features those currently generating the most buzz. Of the 100 players on the list, 31 project to arrive in the Major Leagues in 2012. The chart below presents two key dates for each prospect who might make an impact this coming season.

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The Astros named Brett Myers their closer, manager Brad Mills told reporters this morning.  According to Alyson Footer, GM Jeff Luhnow brought the idea to Mills, who liked it and approached Myers.  Myers' $10MM vesting option for 2013 was reworked to reflect the role change, tweets Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle.

Luhnow traded incumbent closer Mark Melancon to the Red Sox in December, and Myers makes for a viable replacement.  Myers spent time in the role with the '07 Phillies, but he told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, "I wouldn't accept it if I didn't think I could do it, but it's going to be a challenge for me because it's something different.  It's like a position change for me. It's like taking a first baseman and moving him to third. I'm going to have to work a little harder to get my arm in shape to throw 20 or 25 pitches a night. Hopefully, it will be good for the team and good for the organization."  

Luhnow explained the move, saying, "We feel like we’re in pretty good shape [in the rotation] and have some choices. We felt like were a little exposed in the bullpen, and having a guy who’s been successful in that role and who’s got the mentality and stuff to do well takes pressure of Brandon Lyon coming off an injury and doesn’t put pressure on young kids like David Carpenter and Wilton Lopez."  I feel that while the Astros have a number of options for their last two rotation spots, this move still weakens the team overall.

The decision probably isn't all that great for Myers' trade value, as he'd been able to toss 439 2/3 innings over the past two seasons.  He's owed $11MM this year, and if the '13 option doesn't vest it will come with a $3MM buyout. 

As we gear up for fantasy baseball season, be sure to follow our @closernews account on Twitter.  Over 9,200 followers are already on board, getting instant news on the 30 closer situations to ensure dominance in the saves category.  You can also check out our closer depth chart at RotoAuthority.

A slew of interesting players are entering their contract years for the first time, as they'll reach six years of Major League service at some point during the season.  Josh Hamilton, Miguel Montero, Mike Napoli, Erick Aybar, B.J. Upton, Andre Ethier, Shaun Marcum, Brandon McCarthy, and Anibal Sanchez are examples of such players. However, if arbitration-year extensions were not so common, the following players would also be headed for free agency after 2012 by virtue of accruing six years of service.

Starting Pitchers

• Scott Baker's extension three years ago with the Twins included a $9.25MM club option on the 2013 season, which has a good chance of being exercised if he can maintain decent health.
• Chad Billingsley inked an extension with the Dodgers one year ago, paying $26MM for his first two free agent years or $37MM for his first three.
• Jon Lester signed a deal with the Red Sox three years ago that became a standard for his service class.  That contract bought out Lester's first free agent year with a club option on another, although the option is voided if he is traded and has finished first or second in the Cy Young voting in 2012 or '13.
• The Marlins' Ricky Nolasco is notorious for having an ERA unworthy of his peripheral stats, and the team owes him $20.5MM over his first two free agent years.
• The Rays bet on James Shields four years ago, getting three club options on a pitcher with less than two years of service.  They've got a potential ace at reasonable option prices for '13 and '14.
• As a Scott Boras client, Jered Weaver seemed unlikely to sign an extension, especially after taking a tough stance in arbitration.  However, Weaver took a hometown discount last summer and is signed through 2016.

Position Players

• Imagine the added drama for the Red Sox if Lester and Dustin Pedroia were both heading into walk years.  That could've been the case, but Pedroia signed four years ago, giving the team control for up to three free agent seasons.
• If you think Troy Tulowitzki's November extension was massive, picture what he'd be looking at as a 28-year-old free agent after 2012.
• Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick was pretty close to free agency, signing a deal last month buying out three free agent years.
• The D'Backs' Chris Young signed four years ago, giving up one free agent year and an option on a second.

Relievers

• The Reds made Sean Marshall an offer he couldn't refuse this month, as he didn't expect much more than three years and $16.5MM in free agency.
• Royals closer Joakim Soria signed four years ago, and still has a pair of club options on his first two free agent years.
• The Blue Jays' Casey Janssen and the Cubs' Carlos Marmol would also be entering contract years had they not signed extensions.

Kevin Brown signed the first nine-figure deal in baseball history after the 1998 season. 33 at the time, Brown had just logged 257 innings for the NL Champion Padres, striking out 257 and posting a 2.38 ERA (164 ERA+). Brown provided the Dodgers with some elite seasons before moving to New York, where he disappointed in pinstripes. 

In the decade-plus since Brown finalized his record deal, all of the 30-plus players to sign for $100MM or more have been younger than 33. Here's the complete list of $100MM players sorted by age, courtesy of MLBTR’s Transaction Tracker (the list includes free agent signings and extensions, but does not include posting fees for Japanese players):

• Kevin Brown, 33, signed a seven-year, $105MM deal on 12/12/1998.
• Alex Rodriguez, 32, signed a ten-year, $275MM deal on 12/13/2007.
• Cliff Lee, 32, signed a five-year, $120MM deal on 12/13/2010.
• Jayson Werth, 31, signed a seven-year, $126MM deal on 12/05/2010.
• Albert Pujols, 31, signed a ten-year, $240MM deal on 12/08/2011.
• Ken Griffey Jr., 30, signed a nine-year, $116.5MM deal on 2/11/2000.
• Jason Giambi, 30, signed a seven-year, $120MM deal on 12/18/2001.
• Alfonso Soriano, 30, signed an eight-year, $136MM deal on 11/20/2006.
• Carlos Lee, 30, signed a six-year, $100MM deal on 11/24/2006.
• Ryan Howard, 30, signed a five-year, $125MM extension on 4/26/2010.
• Matt Holliday, 29, signed a seven-year, $120MM deal on 1/7/2010.
• Carl Crawford, 29, signed a seven-year, $142MM deal on 12/8/2010.
• Mike Hampton, 28, signed an eight-year, $121MM deal on 12/12/2000.
• Manny Ramirez, 28, signed an eight-year, $160MM deal on 12/19/2000.
• Vernon Wells, 28, signed a seven-year, $126MM deal on 12/20/2006.
• Barry Zito, 28, signed a seven-year, $126MM deal on 12/29/2006.
• Johan Santana, 28, signed a six-year, $137.5MM deal on 2/2/2008.
• C.C. Sabathia, 28, signed a seven-year, $161MM deal on 12/20/2008 (revised as a 31-year-old on 10/31/2011). 
• Adrian Gonzalez, 28, signed a seven-year, $154MM deal on 4/15/2011.
• Jose Reyes, 28, signed a six-year, $106MM deal on 12/04/2011.
• Mark Teixeira, 28, signed an eight-year, $180MM deal on 1/6/2009.
• Todd Helton, 27, signed a nine-year, $141.5MM deal on 3/1/2001.
• Carlos Beltran, 27, signed a seven-year, $119MM deal on 1/13/2005.
• Ryan Braun, 27, signed a five-year, $105MM deal on 4/21/2011.
• Matt Kemp, 27, signed an eight-year, $160MM deal on 11/14/2011.
• Prince Fielder, 27, signed a nine-year, $214MM deal on 1/24/2012.
• Ryan Zimmerman, 27, signed a six-year, $100MM deal on 2/26/2012.
• Derek Jeter, 26, signed a ten-year, $189MM deal on 2/1/2001.
• Joe Mauer, 26, signed an eight-year, $184MM deal on 3/21/2010.
• Troy Tulowitzki, 26, signed a six-year, $119MM deal on 11/30/2010.
• Alex Rodriguez, 25, signed a ten-year, $252MM deal on 12/1/2000.
• Albert Pujols, 24, signed a seven-year, $100MM deal on 2/19/2004.
• Miguel Cabrera, 24, signed an eight-year, $152.3MM deal on 3/24/2008.

Five veteran starting pitchers were traded last summer: Edwin Jackson of the White Sox, Jason Marquis of the Nationals, Erik Bedard and Doug Fister of the Mariners, and Ubaldo Jimenez of the Rockies.  Jackson, Marquis, and Bedard were in contract years, while Fister and Jimenez are under control through 2015 and 2013, respectively.  The White Sox were 3.5 games out in the division, the Nationals 12 out in the wild card, the Mariners 15 out in the division, and the Rockies 10 games out in the division.  

These five deals demonstrate the difficulty of predicting summer trades — we don't know at which point each team considers itself out of contention, and there are always a few surprising non-contenders.  By normal criteria of long-term value, no one thought prior to the season that Jimenez would be dealt, regardless of the Rockies' fortunes.  The new collective bargaining agreement adds another wrinkle, in that players traded midseason are no longer eligible for draft pick compensation.  Even if they're not contending, the Nationals have added incentive to retain Jackson this summer, because they could make him a qualifying offer and potentially receive a draft pick, while another team cannot.

All that said, assessing potential non-contenders is a good starting point in predicting trade candidates.  It can be an offensive exercise, given the optimism spring training brings.  Still, the Orioles, Athletics, Mariners, Royals, Mets, Pirates, Astros, and Padres are unlikely to be popular preseason picks for the postseason.  The Blue Jays, Indians, White Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, and Rockies also have more than their fair share of question marks.

That pool covers half the teams in baseball.  Cross-reference that with starting pitchers who may be eligible for free agency after the 2012 season, and you get Scott Baker, Bedard, Bartolo Colon, Kevin Correia, Jorge De La Rosa, Ryan Dempster, R.A. Dickey, Gavin Floyd, Jeremy Guthrie, Francisco Liriano, Derek Lowe, Paul Maholm, Marquis, Brandon McCarthy, Kevin Millwood, Brett Myers, Carl Pavano, Jonathan Sanchez, and Jake Peavy as names to watch.  The Mariners will continue to receive inquiries on Felix Hernandez, though a deal involving Jason Vargas is more likely.  The Mets' Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey will generate interest if they're pitching well, though Jonathon Niese is the long-term target.  We'll hear plenty more about the Astros' Wandy Rodriguez and the Cubs' Matt Garza.  The Padres' Tim Stauffer is an interesting under-the-radar target, as someone under control through 2013.  Similarly, the Indians could move Jimenez in the right midseason deal if they're out of contention. With a strong first half, perhaps the Pirates' A.J. Burnett could be flipped.  We haven't gotten much into contenders with rotation depth, but rumors involving Braves righty Jair Jurrjens could resurface.

If Felix remains unavailable, should we expect any true aces to hit the market?  The Giants have a pair in Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, if they dig a huge first-half hole.  The Rays could check the market on James Shields, and David Price is under control only for one year beyond Shields.  The Brewers and Marlins appear primed to contend, but if either team bombs, impending free agents Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum, and Anibal Sanchez will be popular names.    

Now that Spring Training is underway, few notable free agents not named Roy Oswalt remain. Some players (min. 50 PAs in 2011) and pitchers (min. 20 IP in 2011) are available, but they’re generally nearing the ends of their careers or recovering from serious injuries. There are currently just eight remaining free agents who will play the 2012 season at or under the age of 33.

Kyle Davies, 28, checks in as the youngest free agent available, but he hasn’t drawn any reported interest after posting a 6.75 ERA in 13 starts for the 2011 Royals. The markets for 31-year-olds Sergio Mitre and Felipe Lopez have been equally quiet.

Jon Garland, 32, had a physical scheduled with the Indians this week, but he didn’t take it, so his minor league contract fell through. Another 32-year-old, Chris Young, pitched just 24 innings last year, though he did draw some interest from the Mets over the winter. Brandon Webb, also 32, hasn't appeared in the Major Leagues since Opening Day, 2009

The two remaining 33-year-olds seem to be line for minor league deals, if they do sign. Xavier Nady didn't offer the Diamondbacks much in terms of power, on-base skills or defensive value last year and Michael Wuertz walked 26 in 33 2/3 innings for the Athletics.

Health permitting, all of these free agents are young enough to turn their careers around, so a comeback story or two might be in store. That said, it’s no surprise that teams are generally focused on their own players at this point in the year.

Here are some miscellaneous links as Wednesday turns into Thursday…

• The expectation within baseball is that the ten-team playoff format will happen this season, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The deadline for the new system to be implemented is March 1st.
• ESPN's Jim Bowden graded the offseason for each American League and National League team (Insider req'd). The Marlins, Angels, and Yankees each received an A.
• USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote about the tremendous turnover rate at the closer position. Only four current closers – Mariano Rivera, Brian Wilson, Joakim Soria, and Carlos Marmol – have held the job for longer than two full years.

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With the release of Baseball America's top 100 prospects list today, my three preferred prospect sources have all published their lists.  I believe Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus can be seen without subscriptions:

• Baseball America Top 100, published 2-21-12
• Kevin Goldstein's Top 101 for Baseball Prospectus, published 2-13-12
• Keith Law's Top 100 for ESPN, published 2-9-12

A few notable differences in the lists:

• All three sources agree on Mike Trout of the Angels, Bryce Harper of the Nationals, and Matt Moore of the Rays as the game's top three prospects, but all rank them in a different order.
• With a #12 ranking, Law is much higher on Rays shortstop prospect Hak-Ju Lee than Goldstein (65) or BA (44).  He's also notably higher on Arodys Vizcaino of the Braves, Casey Kelly of the Padres, Mason Williams of the Yankees, Drew Hutchison of the Blue Jays, Cheslor Cuthbert of the Royals, Joe Ross of the Padres, and Daniel Corcino of the Reds.  The others considered Brad Peacock of the A's and Cory Spangenberg of the Padres as top 80 prospects, but Law left them off his list.
• Goldstein likes Oscar Taveras of the Cardinals, Michael Choice of the Athletics, Brandon Jacobs of the Red Sox, Robbie Erlin of the Padres, Daniel Norris, and Jedd Gyorko of the Padres more than the others.  He left Mike Montgomery of the Royals, Taylor Jungmann of the Brewers, and Nick Franklin of the Mariners off his list entirely.
• BA is higher on Montgomery, Yonder Alonso of the Padres, and Matt Szczur of the Cubs than the others.  They didn't exclude anyone who was highly ranked by both of the other outlets.

Some quality free agents may yet sign minor league deals, but let's take a look at the ten best of the offseason so far.

1. Jeff Francis, Reds.  I ranked Francis 32nd on my top 50 free agents list, ahead of Chris Capuano, Freddy Garcia, Aaron Harang, Jason Marquis, Bruce Chen, and Chien-Ming Wang.  Three of those pitchers received two-year deals, yet Francis didn't get a roster spot.  He was a bigger health risk a year ago, when he received $2MM guaranteed from the Royals.  Francis and his wife reside in Denver, so it doesn't appear to be a hometown decision.  The Reds' rotation isn't full of openings, either, making Francis' minor league deal a mystery.
2. Juan Pierre, Phillies.  It's fair to suggest Pierre isn't a big league regular anymore, but he's a valuable bench player.  Nate McLouth and Mark Kotsay received Major League deals, but don't seem to offer much more.
3. Joel Pineiro, Phillies.  Pineiro ranked 46th on my list, a few spots ahead of Chen.  Wang didn't even make the list.  Pineiro's second year with the Angels was disappointing, but the groundballer was useful as recently as 2010.  Like Francis, he's attempting to join a pretty full rotation.
4. Dan Wheeler, Indians.  Wheeler seems to have the same skill set the Red Sox valued at $3MM a year ago: good command and a lot of flyballs.  Does Jon Rauch do something better?
5. Manny Ramirez, Athletics.  Manny marks the point on this list where I am no longer surprised the player did not receive a big league deal.  Ramirez will only provide two-thirds of a season at most, but he's a year removed from an .870 OPS.
6. Jon Garland, Indians.  He missed most of 2011 with shoulder surgery, but his ability to soak up innings had been worth at least $5MM a year.
7. Kevin Millwood, Mariners.  The Red Sox and Yankees were content to let Millwood work in Triple-A last year, but he provided nine decent starts for the Rockies.  He might be able to provide the value of a Marquis or Chen.
8. Vicente Padilla, Red Sox.  Despite off-the-field concerns and an inability to stay healthy, Padilla can still get hitters out as a starter or reliever.
9. Juan Cruz, Pirates.  Cruz allows too many walks and flyballs, but the same can be said for Jose Veras, who gave the Pirates a nice 2011 season after signing a minor league deal.
10. Jamey Wright, Dodgers.  The Dodgers gave Mike MacDougal a roster spot to provide the same skill set with a harder fastball.  At any rate, Wright's a good guy to call when a groundball is needed.

Honorable mentions: Scott Linebrink, Juan Gutierrez, Angel Guzman, Koyie Hill, Ronny Paulino