Preview: Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings are finally here!  Monday thru Thursday General Managers, Team Executives, Players, Agents & others will gather in Indianapolis for the most popular meetings of the year.  Teams usually arrive at these meetings with game-plans for trades and free agents, but this year, clubs seem to have plans that are more detailed and thought out.  For the first time I can remember, many teams are telling media outlets the needs for their teams, weaknesses they may have, and payroll numbers for 2010 before the meetings even start.  It feels as if each team is more organized, and for that reason I believe we will see more decisions this week on free agents & trades then the normal rumours we always here about. 

The Mariners are expected to start things out with the announcement of the 4-year deal to INF Chone Figgins.  They are also going after John Lackey & Jason Bay and are waiting for an arbitration decision from 3B Adrian Beltre.  Other news leading up to the meetings:

Braves P Rafael Soriano expected to accept arbitration, could make upwards of $8M in 2010

Rockies P Rafael Betancourt expected to accept arbitration, rejected a multi-year deal from Colorado just last month

Angels are hopeful that John Lackey will stay in LA, as well Vladimir Guerrero wants to remain an Angel

In what is no surprise, Red Sox & Yankees expected to start bidding war for Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay Monday

The Rays are close to acquiring OF Milton Bradley from the Cubs & are interested in OF Nelson Cruz

Marlins expected to make decisions on 2B Dan Uggla & closer Matt Lindstrom by Wednesday

Mets like C Benjie Molina, but he likes the idea of playing for Mariners, Rockies, even the Jays

Rod Barajas may be a Met soon

Carlos Delgado could be returning to the Mets, will be a contract full of incentives

Orlando Hudson, who was hoping to have received arbitration from Dodgers, may have to switch to 3B or SS to get a job

Orioles have money and may be talking to Miguel Tejada about a return, talking about Kevin Millwood trade as well

Pirates thinking about bringing back OF Xavier Nady

8-10 teams wondering about P Noah Lowry, it's amazing how these left-handed pitchers are always favourites of GM's around the league

Twins hoping Carl Pavano accepts arbitration

Extra Base Hit will be all over the meetings Monday thru Friday with recaps each night & breaking news as it happens.

Where do you think Jason Bay will sign?  E-mail us at extrabasehit@hotmail.com with your thoughts.