We did have a couple of signings on Thursday, but I want to finish up this series of articles before the "Holiday" in the title starts to refer to Valentine's Day.

Tony Eusebio could sign with Colorado at any time. The Rockies of course are looking for someone besides Ben Petrick to start behind the plate. Eusebio will probably be a good fit in Coors. He has decent defensive skills that should please the front office people, and he'll likely be able to hit very well in the thin air.

Sal Fasano, who the Rockies non-tendered, is also still on the market. Fasano had some problems with a strained calf late in the season after he landed in Colorado. He was on three different teams last year. The A's traded him to the Royals for cash, and then Kansas City traded him to the Rockies in the Brent Mayne deal. He will likely find at least a back-up job before pitchers and catchers report. The Royals might have interest signing him to back up Mayne, as they like to bring back players who have been with the club in the past, and in addition to his brief time with the organization last year, Fasano spent the first four years of his major league career with Kansas City.

With the addition of Chris Stynes, Chicago fans can be assured that Ron Coomer will not be returning to Wrigley. Coomer hits acceptably against lefties and has some value as a backup corner infielder but should not receive a lot of playing time. He might fit well in Montreal as a back-up for Lee Stevens and the injury-prone Fernando Tatis, but with the limited moves that the Expos are making this off-season, I don't think it's overly likely that they will pursue him. If Seattle dumps David Bell, then they will be short a corner infielder and might look into Coomer. There is also a possibility that the Twins, with whom Coomer debuted, might pick him up to add a "proven veteran" to the club.

Provided he can pass a physical, John Valentin may also be headed for Colorado. With the departure of Jeff Cirillo, the team is looking for help at 3B, and Valentin appears to be the favorite. When healthy, he's still a decent player and was even able to fill in for the injured Nomar Garciaparra at SS early last season until his own injury problems surfaced. Valentin had a sore heel for most of last season that eventually needed surgery. He also has somewhat chronic knee problems. If the Rockies don't sign him, he might have to accept a minor league deal or a non-roster invitation to Spring Training.

Everyone is focusing on Pokey Reese, but Rey Sanchez is also available and if you compare the numbers, you don't lose a whole lot of offense with the defensive upgrade that Sanchez provides. Of course, he is several years older than Reese, but I don't think the team that loses out in the Pokey Sweepstakes and signs Sanchez will be disappointed. Detroit and Boston are at the top of the list of teams still looking to add a middle infielder.

Deivi Cruz, the player whose non-tendering has left the Tigers in the market for a SS, is also looking for a new home. Cruz lost time last season to a broken left foot but should not suffer any lingering effects from that in 2002. I doubt he will find a job as a starter with another club, but he could find a role as a backup on an organization with an injury-prone or weak starter and find himself taking over the job mid-season. He probably won't cost a team much to acquire and would be a less expensive option for Boston.

Ruben Rivera's value is in his glove, not his bat. His ability to play centerfield will be the skill that lands him a job as a fourth or fifth outfielder for some team. However, most teams either have their backup center fielder already rostered or need more offensive potential off the bench. If Montreal decides to make some moves, they might be interested in Rivera.

Reportedly, quite a few teams have expressed interest in Ricky Ledee. However, all of them seem to be filling their roster slots with other players. He should be able to find a role as a backup for some club.

I toyed with the idea of using Dante Bichette at first base in the Leftovers' lineup, but decided against it, because I didn't want to move him from his traditional position in the outfield, though his glove might be better suited to 1B. Now that most GM's have realized that his numbers were severely affected by his time with the Rockies, he should sign at a price more in line with his value. He hits lefties fairly well, but has a huge platoon split, that combined with his defensive shortcomings, hurts his overall utility.

Jose Canseco is an interesting case. He started last season in the independent leagues, but after the White Sox signed him, he played very well for them. I can't recall the exact boast, but I seem to recall local sports radio reporting that Canseco is of the opinion that he can go 30/30 next season for any team that will give him a full-time position in the outfield. I'm not sure that I'm quite as optimistic as that, but I do think that he can still contribute to a ball club, and it does seem that he hits better when he's able to play the field. Unfortunately, although I know there have to be teams out there still lacking outfielders, I'm not coming up with good fits for these three players. Feel free to e-mail me if you've heard that your team has interest in one or more of these guys or with your opinions as to what other clubs might be looking at them.