Mike McMahon

Journal Staff

There is no week in sports that is filled with more rumors and speculation then the MLB Winter Meetings. This year, many big names are still lingering, many big deals have already been made and some teams may look a lot different come spring training in February.

On the home front, Sox fans are eager to see what new management has up their sleeves. So I’m going to tell you what I think Sox management should be focusing on as well as keeping you up to date on who might be going where around the league.

First, the Sox, all I have to say is, think small. Don’t expect the Sox to bag a big name free agent this week.

The team’s payroll is already going to be at an insane number and this is before the team has even resigned Big Papi. Assuming the Sox close the deal with Ortiz, which they should, there is not much leeway for the Sox to go out and sign free agents. I think the first priority for the new management is to focus on keeping the payroll where it is and do everything it can take to stay below the league luxury tax threshold.

Another thing to keep in mind is the contract expiration of Jacoby Ellsbury at the end of next season. So, I’m hoping the Sox stay quiet this week and stay away from guys like Carlos Beltran and Michael Cuddyer. The only other concern is the pitching staff and questions surrounding the closer spot.

My advice to the Sox, do not go out and sign Ryan Madson. If any deal is going to be made for a closer, it should be a trade for Oakland closer, Andrew Bailey.

Compared to the rest of the league, things are relatively quiet in Boston. Apparently the Miami Marlins have caught “heat fever” because out of the nowhere, the new-look Marlins are looking like contenders in the NL East. First bagging Heath Bell then following through on talks about Jose Reyes by signing the shortstop hours before the Winter Meetings.

The infield drama of Reyes and Hanley Ramirez might give “the big three” a run for their money. Although this makes them a better team on paper, I don’t see this working incredibly well.

Remember, this is the same organization that couldn’t handle Logan Morrison and his tweeting. How will they handle two spoiled superstars in the same infield? Yet, the signings might not be over in Miami. Sources are linking the Marlins to talks with Albert Pujols, CJ Wilson, and Mark Beuhrle.

This year might present one the biggest markets for sluggers in recent memory with Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and Aramis Ramirez all on the market. If I had to take a swing at it, I would have to say the Pujols picture will not look much different. He stays a Cardinal despite being linked to Chicago and Miami.

Fielder has not had as much speculation surrounding him due to Pujols’ availability, which leads me to believe that he might wait for Pujols to sign before making his decision. If he doesn’t end up back in Milwaukee, I could see the young slugger landing in Chicago with the Cubs, in Toronto, and Seattle has expressed interest as well. I will also stress the urge to not sleep on the Yankees, they are sneaky, they may seem uninterested, but they are always involved.

Aramis Ramirez will most likely be heading to a top tier team. If the Phillies are able to move Placido Polanco, look for them to land Ramirez but the Angels and Brewers are also interested.

The pitching market is fairly bleak this season. CJ Wilson is the top dog available but I’m not sure if he is worth the value is being put at. His offseason numbers were average and he fell off the map in the World Series.

The pitching market will stay quiet until after Wilson signs. Guys like Edwin Jackson and Mark Beuhrle will have increased value once Wilson is off the market. I would say the Marlins or the Nationals are the most likely to land the lefty, but don’t count out the Yankees and the Angles have also speculated interest.

I can speculate all I want to, but year after year we see that the Winter Meetings tend to take on a life of their own. Very few things are certain. But one thing is certain: for baseball nerds like myself, this time of year is exactly what is needed to help cope with baseball deprivation.