Tony Massarotti writes a perfectly timely piece about what to expect this off-season- and every off-season- from mid-November on through to January. Some of the highpoints?

Reporters often rush the rumor mill, and the teams like the confusion- so they do little to clear it up.  Some of the confusion lies with the reporters, some lies with each team involved.

Patience will help.

And, remember, just when you think in early December that you know who all the free agents are on the market, the non-tender deadline comes and teams basically release players who will get too much of a raise through arbitration.  Massaratti uses Garrett Atkins as an example.  And he might be, but most likely he has some value to the Rockies as trade bait. 

Here’s my addition: Remember, its often the trades you don’t hear about that happen. It’s doubtful at this point that Roy Halliday will be a Red Sox player.  Still could happen, but once its lasted more than two days in the news cycle without anyone actually saying the word close- its reporters reaching for something to write.