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–          John Lackey looks to be the big prize this offseason…when he was with the Angels he was definitely the anchorman and is accustomed to the limelight.  I don’t think he is going to get A.J. Burnett money simply because he is a year late.  Without a doubt his numbers are legitimate, more impressive than Burnett’s over his career but timing is everything.  I hear  from league sources that the Mets will be the only club to offer “big bucks”…maybe that will shed some light in that black hole.

–          Matt Holliday is a B+ slugger with A potential, his dedication and work ethic has never been a question.  This is why he will seamlessly integrate into any clubhouse and become a well-welcomed addition.  The Yankees and Red Sox have him in their sights but he is not a part of Plan A development.  The buzz is that the Cardinals are making him a priority this winter and I see him signing by the beginning of January. Swinging at a pace of .282 24HR & 82 RBI’s with Pulhols and company presents an even more intimidating threat than last season when everyone in the business put them in the World Series representing the National League.

–          Jason Bay seems to be gigglely over the idea of “dating” free agency.  If you ask anyone who is anybody in Boston they will tell you that Bay will be there next season, but, he appears as if he wants to toy with the notion of being touted.  As I see it, this will be a long drawn out process with the Mariners and Giants both putting in sizable bids.  The Mariners only make sense because he’s a Vancouver grown kid (…but there a re airlines right).  The main threat will be the Giants because they have an embedded thirst to return to the MLB postseason.  No matter which way he leans it’s nothing like being single!

–          The Yankees…finally, right?!  They made it back to the promise land but now it is time to make some tough decisions for a swift return.  Teixeira was more than an ample return on investment offensively/defensively, especially in the regular season and division series.  He was also a part of the 30+HR 100+RBI club with Bay and Lind which illustrated consistency throughout the year.  The question arises with Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon their most coveted free agents this offseason.  Popular opinion is that one will stay and the other will go…sticking with that basis it makes logistic sense that Damon will be the horse staying because he can still run but Matsui regular season numbers are as follows: .274 BA 28HR 90RBI’s, that’s a lot of run support.   I fall under the minority belief that they both will return.  How? you ask…although Matsui hit .615 with 3 HR in the World Series(in the history of baseball only Ruth and Gehrig have hit .500+ & with 3+ HR’s) and at this point in his career he is a DH only, I am under the impression that he will humble himself and probably sign a one year contract.  Damon has always been a “team guy”… they will construct a two year deal loaded with incentives and will be a lock preseason favorite, you can count on it.