We've hit a very quiet time in the baseball off season. All it really means is that things will heat up in the New Year.

Traditionally, baseball front offices slow to a crawl or close during the week between Christmas and New Year's. While that may not be the case for every team, it certainly seems slow on the trade and free agent front. But there is still plenty of work to be done.

We shouldn't be surprised that Prince Fielder hasn't landed yet. The Boras group usually tends to drag things out while they float a rumor or two to get team X to bid against team Y. They will usually throw in a "mystery team" that everyone has to figure out. That may be the case with the Fielder negotiations. The sticking point just may be the length of contract. I'm sure it isn't just me that has a concern about Prince's physical condition following say...year 4 or 5 of the contract. There is every indication that Boras wants a contract for Prince that is similar in length to Albert Pujols' 10 year deal. Good luck with that. But we've been surprised before, as Boras has gotten some very player favorable deals (see Alex Rodriguez to the Rangers initially) for his clients. In this case, we shut our eyes and picture Prince at say...37 years old and the picture sort of gets out of focus. I still think it will be the Mariners, Rangers or Cubs in the mix for the Prince. Regardless where he lands, the team will be better instantly. For about 5 years at least.

Edwin Jackson and Roy Oswalt certainly seem attractive now in a very pitching thin free agent market. Jackson will give up lots of long, long fly balls that just may find their way over any outfield fence. Oswalt could have back spasms or worse during the season and he may not be counted on for a full 33 starts. The Red Sox and Yankees seem like a good landing place for Oswalt. A team like the Nationals may make sense for Jackson. Again, the length of the contract may be the hold up with both those players.

The remaining first basemen on the free agent market are all rather flawed, to say the least. Carlos Pena may be the best of the lot. However, he's an expensive option for a .230 hitter. His power and his defense are attractive. Consider he made $10MM with the Cubs for one year. What does he want for a longer term contract? Casey Kotchman had a good first half last year, but can he repeat? It was really an outlier as he hadn't hit well in his entire career. He's a very good defensive first baseman. If he had a loud bat he would still be in Anaheim. Derrek Lee? I've seen that movie before and I didn't like it the first time. I do think the way he spells his name is cool, but that's about it. I think his clutch is broken. Hasn't ever worked.

Cody Ross seems like a possible outfield candidate for a team like Cleveland that is short on right-handed hitting outfielders. But which Cody Ross will show up? We have seen streaks of power and a capable bat and then we've seen him dive into a prolonged slump that takes him out of the lineup. In a strict platoon situation against left-handed pitching, I really believe Cody Ross can be a good pickup for a team short on offense. Like Cleveland.

Advantage Nationals as far as I'm concerned in the deal for Gio Gonzalez. I have always felt he was an underrated pitcher. I think he will thrive in a nice park for his stuff. If he gets any offense (and I'm sure it will be more than he received in Oakland) he should be a winning pitcher for years to come. The Nationals have control of his contract for several years and he can slot with Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman to comprise a very good top of the rotation. While I like Brad Peacock, I still don't know if he can be a consistent winner in the big leagues. I've seen lots of him and I like his arm and his stuff. Derek Norris has potential as an offensive as well as defensive catcher. He should be able to hit well in Oakland, but he'll probably slot behind Kurt Suzuki unless the A's try to move Suzuki in a deal.

Baltimore would love to have Prince, but it isn't likely he would go to a non-contender.

Will Manny Ramirez get a big league job? Would you offer him a contract?

I still don't see how the Yankees and Red Sox can start the season without any pitching depth. They each have marginal starters at the back end of their rotations and very few options available with major league experience. Both clubs have pitchers in the minor leagues, but can they be sure that a Manny Banuelos or Andrew Miller are ready for the heat of the AL East? It's very possible Alfredo Aceves could be in the Red Sox rotation. We have to watch that carefully for fantasy implications.

The next big hubub about a foreign signing should come from Cuba's Yoenis Cespedes. He's an outfielder that many teams appear to be interested in signing. Cespedes is residing in the Dominican Republic and is now awaiting the bidding war that will bring him to a Major League club. Several teams are interested. I look for the Nationals to be among the highest bidders. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the Tigers and/or Blue Jays made a run at him as well. I've never seen him play.

I think the Rangers will have a reliable starting pitcher in Yu Darvish. I saw him when he pitched in Phoenix during the World Baseball Classic. He was a bit wild, but the arm strength and stuff were top notch. He's tall and slender and throws downhill. He should be fine in Texas.

Wonder if Kendry Morales can run? If he can, the Angels may wish to part with either Morales or Mark Trumbo. I'd take Trumbo. I think he has a huge future as a power hitter. Yes, he'll strike out, but I'll take his home run stroke.

The Mariners have been very quiet.

Is Boston a good landing place for Andrew Bailey? I'm just askin.

The Reds picked up Josh Judy when the Indians designated him for assignment. Good move by Cincinnati. Judy has a wicked, wicked breaking ball. He's fine out of the pen. It's another loss for Cleveland.

The Tigers have been very quiet.

Any free agent position players still out there that interest you?

If I'm Texas I'd rather have Taylor Teagarden than Yorvit Torrealba behind Mike Napoli. I'm just sayin. Too late now. Teagarden's gone. And Torrealba just smacked an umpire in Winter Ball. He got a 66 game suspension in that league (suspension does not apply to Major League baseball.)

Lots of Orioles questions to be answered in Spring Training. For example: Can Brian Matusz come back? What about Zach Britton? Remember Jake Arrieta? Yikes. Will Chris Davis hit? Will Brian Roberts ever play a full season again? Was the Matt Wieters we saw the last half of the season the real Mat Wieters?

I'm a believer in the Diamondbacks. I do think Jason Kubel will hit very well in Chase Field. I also believe it was a stroke of genius on the part of Kevin Towers to sign Kubel. Right out of the blue. That's the best kind. Quiet. No tipping of the hand. Bam! Goodbye, Minnesota.

OK, I'm out. At least until there is the next big signing or something that stirs my emotions. I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful New Year. Thank you for your loyalty to me this year. I appreciate each and every one of you. As always, please feel free to comment or ask questions.

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