Now that all the groundwork has been laid at the just concluded general managers meeting in Dana Point, Calif., look for baseball's rumour mill to really start to heat up.
With the annual trade fest, the winter meetings, now about a month away in Las Vegas, the betting is that the future landing spot of Jake Peavy will command much of the attention.
And according to Jeff Passan of sports.yahoo.com, it is the Chicago Cubs who have leapt to the forefront in all the trade talk for the former National League Cy Young Award winner by putting together a package that includes young right-hander Jeff Samardzij.
Interesting, but don't count out the Atlanta Braves or the Los Angeles Dodgers according to this story in USA Today.
Speaking of the Cubs, it would appear that Maverick(s) basketball owner Mark Cuban will not get his wish to purchase the National League team, which is a pity.
When I was regularily covering the NBA, I found Cuban to be a breath of fresh air, always available and willing to comment on any subject, no matter how controversial.
Apparently its that brashness that is scaring off the baseball powers that be, who obviously prefer to stick to their stodgy ways.
And if you think the the troubled economy is going throw a scare into owners when it comes to opening the purse strings for free agents, think again.
In a bid to keep Manny Ramirez in Los Angeles, the Dodges are reportedly willing to offer $45-million over two years according to the L.A. Times.
However, agent Scott Boras doesn't sound too impressed and it looks as if Ramirez will hold out for more years.
It makes you wonder what chance the Blue Jays have in keeping A.J. Burnett. Little or none, it says here.
And if you need more evidence of baseball's growing international stature, check out this story in the Arizona Republic about a couple of the top pitchers in India displaying their talents for MLB scouts.
The Phillies may have just won the World Series, but that hasn't stopped Charlie Manuel from firing Steve Smith, his third base coach.
It's tough at the top.
