You will see in the coming days, all those players you haven’t given much though about getting signed by teams around the country.  As those who are arbitration eligible finalize deals, teams are getting an understanding of their payroll and are ready to go out and fill those holes with players who have as much upside as they can find at that position.   CBS Sports has a great free agent tracker, and a quick perusal of who is still on the market tells you pretty quick that February is just around the corner. Only three players remain on the board who are under the age of 30, and with the many veterans come health issues with really on Jim Thome cracking the ‘bring him in for leadership’ title.

Many of the guys left will get contracts, mostly minor league with invites to spring training.  They will serve as back-ups, or just in case options for players that are recovering from injuries, or to fill out the rosters for this long spring season ahead.  Teams will need a lot of extra players this spring, which is good for young players in a team’s system, as they will get a lot of chance to be seen by the Major League manager.  But with teams without much depth at the high levels, they will need a few extra catchers -hear that Kelly Shoppach- to catch while the WBC is going on.

Take a look at the list- anyone you would want your team to take a flyer on for just a little bit of money?