Chicago White Sox

The following White Sox are eligible for free agency: Roberto Alomar, Sandy Alomar, Bartolo Colon, Carl Everett, Tom Gordon, Tony Graffanino, and Scott Sullivan.

Chicago should make a decision on a new manager sometime in the next week. Cito Gaston and Ozzie Guillen appear to be the finalists.

Frank Thomas announced yesterday he has exercised his $6M option to remain with the team through 2004. Chicago picked up Esteban Loaiza's $4M option, but while they have interest in re-signing Jose Valentin, the White Sox aren't expected to pick up his $5M option.

Colon reportedly rejected an offer in the neighborhood of $36M for 3 years, and Chicago isn't prepared to offer him more, so he'll likely leave as a free agent. The Yankees and Red Sox should lead the charge to sign Colon, but I expect to see Philadelphia make a push, and Atlanta will show interest if they aren't able to make progress with Kevin Millwood. With Colon departing, the White Sox will turn to the free agent market for an alternative; Sidney Ponson probably tops their list of targets at the moment.

Several teams are looking for closers this off-season and the Mets, Phillies, Rockies, and Devil Rays all seem likely to show interest in Gordon. Chicago wouldn't mind having him back, but Gordon is seeking a salary commensurate with closer status, so he's likely to move to another club. The White Sox have lost patience with Billy Koch and will investigate trade options this off-season. Rumors already exist of a potential swap with the Mets.

Chicago liked what Everett gave them, but probably won't want to pay to retain him. Tampa Bay could be Everett's most devoted suitor this off-season. The White Sox will seek to retain both Alomars and Graffanino, though Graffanino may want to search for a position with a team that will allow him to start. I can see Colorado pursuing Graffanino.

The White Sox off-season will be a success if Chicago adds a top starter and balances the lineup through adding quality up-the-middle players while retaining homegrown studs, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Lee.

Cleveland Indians

The following Indians are eligible for free agency: Jason Bere, Ellis Burks, Terry Mulholland, and Mark Wohlers.

Cleveland predictably paid the $1M buyout on their $8M option on Mark Wohlers, who underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June. Meanwhile, Ellis Burks received a $500,000 buyout of his $5M option. Cleveland would like to retain Burks' veteran presence, but they don't really need another outfielder or DH, so given his age and healthy problems he'd have to accept a pittance to remain with the club.

The Indians have not yet announced their decision regarding Danys Baez's $5M option, though they are expected to let him go. He'll remain under Cleveland's control even if they decline the option, because he's not eligible for free agency just arbitration. However, despite his success on the mound, many suspect the Indians will non-tender him rather than go through arbitration, as he'll make a minimum of $4.1M next year through arbitration, since his salary can't be cut by more than 20%. With Bob Wickman returning from injury and David Riske emerging, the Indians don't want to pay Baez to be their closer. However, rather than trade him when his value was high as their closer, the Indians removed him from the role. Consequently, Cleveland looks likely to dump him for nothing.

Bere's June shoulder surgery will leave him looking for a minor league deal this off-season. Mulholland plans to look for a club who will allow him to start, but the Indians would like him back as a reliever.

Cleveland will compete with Kansas City for Brian Anderson, but with their homegrown talent filling most of their needs, the club doesn't seem likely to take a very active part in the free agent market.

The Indians off-season will be a success if Cleveland finds a couple of veteran innings eaters to protect their young pitching staff.

Detroit Tigers

The following Tigers are eligible for free agency: Shane Halter, Dean Palmer, and Matt Walbeck.

After his poor performance over the past two seasons, Halter shouldn't receive more than a minor league deal this off-season. With all of his injury problems, Palmer may retire. If he wants to try to keep playing, he'll probably have to accept a minor league deal with an AL team. Walbeck will retire and manage West Michigan, Detroit's A Midwest League team.

Detroit just completed one of the most wasted seasons in the history of sports. Their obscene record might be partially excused if 2003 had been part of a development plan, but they failed to move in a positive direction and managed to hinder the growth of their young talent while losing. Democrats think better of President Bush's Iraq strategy than I do of Detroit's management. Unfortunately, ownership isn't even trying to assign blame. The coaches and manager are excused because they supposedly did the best they could with the players given to them, but the front office evidently isn't responsible for providing them with insufficient talent.

Furthermore, I can't recall a single rumor of a plan to improve the team for 2004 and beyond. I'd welcome some news from any Detroit readers with knowledge of their off-season plans.

The Tigers off-season will be a success if current management signs no free agents to multi-year contracts, so that when ownership wakes up to the need for a regime change the new leadership will have a chance to improve the club.