Off Season thoughts

Well, baseball's third season has begun- the offseason. I don't know that there's any other pro sport that garners as much attention in the offseason as baseball does. For us baseball fans that tends to work well since it tends to speed up the time between the last game of the World Series and those four magical words- "Pitchers and catchers report."

So, as we move into the crazy season known as the free agent signing period I'd thought I'd use up some lines here to give some predictions on some of the top-tier fish on the market.

1. Johnny Damon- looking for a surprise team here to scoop up Boston's centerfielder. I see Damon as a good fit with the young Texas Rangers. They need a centerfielder and, even with Damon's severe defensive shortcomings, would be an unbelievable fit at the top of the Rangers order. On this team Damon could score 200 runs with ease.
2. AJ Burnett- I think you'll see Burnett land in Beantown and join Matt Clement as 2005's version of the over-hyped and overpaid "ace".
3. Paul Konerko- Chicago could be in the World Series hunt for a couple more years if their pitching staff proves that this year was no fluke. Konerko was a centerpiece for the Sox and, despite a very enticing offer to head to the coast and play for the Angels, I think he'll stay in Chicago.
4. Brian Giles- a highly underrated outfielder whose offensive stats have been killed by playing in Petco park the past couple years. I think Giles will move to the AL where he can DH a bit. I don't see Yankee pinstripes in his future but perhaps a return to the team that drafted him, the Cleveland Indians, would be a great fit.
5. Billy Wagner- Wagner will cash in this year as there are many teams looking for closers and not many good ones on the market. Atlanta's bullpen was dreadful and I see Wagner as one that John Schuerholz is going to steal from the rest of the needy teams in the league. Wagner signs with Atlanta.
6. BJ Ryan- with only one year of closing under his belt Ryan is still somewhat of a wildcard but his numbers were great in '05. After losing out on Wagner the Mets will quickly turn their focus to the cheaper option and sign Ryan to be their closer in '06.
7. Jacque Jones- after saving some money with losing out on Wagner, the Mets will take that extra cash and use it to bring Jacque Jones to the Big Apple to play in the outfield with Beltran and Mike Cameron.
8. Matt Morris- Morris will leave St. Louis for the bright lights of the La-La-land, signing with the Dodgers for far more money then he's worth.
9. Kevin Millwood- The AL's ERA leader and should-be Comeback Player of the Year will do the classy thing and reward the team that kept his career alive when no one else wanted him. Millwood will get a big, albeit much deserved, pay raise and will resign with the Indians.
10. Bengie Molina- coming off a career year (funny how that always happens in a contract year) Molina will cash in and some team will pay him far more then he's worth. That "some team" will be the New York Mets as they continue to throw money at overrated players in hopes of stealing press from the Evil Empire.
11. Nomar Garciaparra- the one-time boy wonder who now apparently could land a lead role on a rebirth of Baywatch with his life-saving skills has officially worn out his welcome in the Windy City. Nomar will trade in his Cubbies pinstripes and trade places with Rafael Furcal in Atlanta.
12. Rafael Furcal- desperate for a leadoff hitter the Cubs will focus their efforts on signing Furcal as opposed to trying to trade for Juan Pierre of the Marlins.
13. Mike Piazza- the Pizza-Man will undoubtedly keep his career alive with a move to the AL where he will become a full-time DH. He will be had at a bargain basement price and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the Blue Jays, with a desperate need for some star power in Toronto and a DH with some pop, will dip into the excess funds that are being made available to them and will sign Piazza.
14. Ramon Hernandez- the other big name catcher available this off season will surely leave the uncomfy confines of Petco for a more hitter friendly park. It says here that the Yankees use Jorge Posada as trade bait to land some much needed bullpen help and sign Hernandez to help them achieve their other goal which is to get their average age below 50.

I know that in all likelihood I'll go 0-14 on these predictions but why not have some fun with the predictions anyways.

I believe the MVP and Cy Young awards will be handed out sometime soon. I'm calling A-Rod in the AL, Pujols in the NL for MVP. Rivera in the AL and Carpenter in the NL for Cy Young.

That's it that's all. Red Wings are 11-1 baby! Go Wings!