Anaheim Angels

The following Angels are eligible for free agency: Dennis Cook, Alex Ochoa, and Orlando Palmeiro. I expect Anaheim to allow Ochoa to find work elsewhere with his new World Series ring. However, I believe they'll probably re-sign Palmeiro provided his asking price is reasonable. Cook underwent surgery at the end of the season to repair both a torn labrum and rotator cuff, so he likely won't be prepared to pitch until at least mid-season 2003. Anaheim could sign the 40-year-old to an incentive laden deal, but I suspect he'll try that approach with a team more in need of bullpen help.

Given their postseason success, the Angels probably will keep the majority of the team in tact. Nonetheless, I expect them to be somewhat active in the free agent market as they attempt to set up for another strong postseason in 2003. Offensively, I think they may try to upgrade at DH, bringing in someone to replace Brad Fullmer. The Angels may also want to look for more left-handed relief, particularly since Scott Schoeneweis would like to move to a team where they'll use him as a starter. Then again, it's always tempting to keep a championship team together.

Oakland Athletics

The following A's are eligible for free agency: Ray Durham, John Mabry, Greg Myers, and Randy Velarde. I believe they are quite happy with Mark Ellis at second next year. However if Durham will agree to DH, they appear prepared to re-sign him. Hopefully, Mabry will depart. I can't imagine the A's paying him what he'll likely earn due to his half-decent season. Oakland bought out Myers' $1.1M option for $100K. The club may try to work out a less expensive contract, but they may also look at some of the other catchers on the free agent market. Ivan Rodriguez would be an interesting fit, though I don't think he's someone they'll attempt to sign. Velarde has retired.

Oakland also holds an option on David Justice that I don't expect the team to pick up. The A's early exit from the playoffs likely left a poor taste in Justice's mouth, but he's still heavily leaning towards retirement. At this point, I think he's more likely to join a team in Spring Training as an instructor rather than a player, despite the fact he's only 36.

Most of Oakland's off-season moves will likely center around trades rather than free agent signings, as that's been their pattern in the past and they once again have good trade bait. Cory Lidle seems most likely to change organizations, as they have Aaron Harang ready to step into his shoes and several pitchers reaching triple-A that will be ready for the majors sometime in 2003. Lidle is arbitration-eligible and there's no reason for them to retain him while he grows more expensive.

I also wouldn't be surprised, if they looked into trading Billy Koch. His failures in the postseason were quite obvious, and he should also be eligible for a considerable raise soon. The A's are primarily in the market for a left fielder and/or designated hitter, though we know Billy Beane's affinity for expensive left-handed relievers. Oakland will likely once again pursue Colorado's Jack Cust and also may look into Arizona's Erubiel Durazo.

Seattle Mariners

The following Mariners are eligible for free agency: James Baldwin, Pat Borders, Norm Charlton, Jamie Moyer, Jose Offerman, John Olerud, Ruben Sierra, Ismael Valdes, and Dan Wilson.

Seattle bought out Baldwin's $4M option for $500K, and I don't expect him to return. Given his recent performance, he'll likely have to accept a smaller contract elsewhere with moderately obtainable incentives. I don't expect Charlton to re-sign with the Mariners. However despite his age and injury troubles last season, someone will likely sign him for lefty work. Moyer could return to Seattle, but there is also considerable interest in him on the free agent market. The Mariners might want to free up space for some of their younger pitchers, allowing another team to pick up the aging lefty starter who performed quite well last season. Valdes will peddle his blister wares across the league to teams in need of a veteran to eat innings when healthy.

If Borders doesn't retire, he'll likely sign a minor league contract with the Mariners or some other team. Now that he's reached the end of his large contract, Offerman will likely find himself trying to earn a job on a nonroster invitation to Spring Training. Seattle should strongly pursue a new contract with Olerud, who I expect will return to the team in 2003. The Mariners will probably try to upgrade from Sierra, leaving his agent with a difficult sell. I think Sierra will remain in the American League, but he could be stuck with a minor league deal. Wilson might stay with Seattle, but as an established major league catcher he could find work with any number of teams this off-season.

Seattle has a $10M option on Edgar Martinez that they will almost certainly decline. However, Martinez still wants to play another year, so I expect them to work out a lesser contract. I think the chances are very rare that he'll consider the Mariners' offer so low that he'll look for a job with another team. Seattle also holds an option on Shigetoshi Hasegawa, which I expect them to decline, though I have no strong leanings on where Hasegawa might land.

The Mariners will probably be active in the trade and free agent markets. If they don't bring back Moyer, they'll likely want some kind of veteran starter. Despite his poor year, Mike Cameron should still have some trade value and might be dealt.

Texas Rangers

The following Rangers are eligible for free agency: Bill Haselman, Todd Hollandsworth, C.J. Nitkowski, Ivan Rodriguez, Rich Rodriguez, Kenny Rogers, Ruben Rivera, and Rudy Seanez.

Texas somewhat surprisingly declined Haselman's option, but he should have no trouble finding work. The Rangers were not at all pleased with the way Hollandsworth fit. I somewhat doubt whether he'll land a starting job this winter. Rivera will look for work at best as a nonroster invitee in Spring Training and will probably sign a minor league deal.

Of course, the big question on Texas is what will happen with IRod. The Rangers should re-sign him. However given their desire to cut payroll, he seems very likely to sign elsewhere. In Chicago, the Cubs are quite interested. He's also high on Baltimore's wish list. Additionally while the Rockies want to cut payroll, if they move some of their other contracts, Colorado might look into IRod in their continuing search for a catcher.

As a left-handed pitcher, someone will likely sign Nitkowski, although he may be in for another year of minor league contracts. After the abysmal way their trade for Rich Rodriguez turned out, I don't expect them to re-sign him. He'll join Nitkowski in the ranks of free agent lefty relievers. Rogers vetoed the Rangers' attempts to trade him in 2002 because he wants to return, so unless Texas makes drastic cuts, he should be back. Seanez will depart with the Rangers' other free agent relievers.

If Texas fails to pay Chan Ho Park an additional $6M by next Sunday, he can become a free agent. However despite his struggles earlier in the year, I don't expect them to discard their investment here, particularly with their perceived need for veteran starters.

As I've said, the Rangers want to lower their payroll this off-season. Their off-season moves should also reflect the talent that will be arriving from the minors over the next couple years.