Preview/Prediction

Now that John Lackey is off the table, there are three basic categories under which the high-profile free agent pitchers lie.

The first group consists of pitchers like Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and John Smolt—future Hall of Famers who are past their primes but still have some gas left in the tank.

The Seattle Mariners are among three MLB teams that have never been to the World Series.

This season, they are hoping that will all change.

Aside from the 2004 WNBA Champion Seattle Storm, Seattle hasn't had a championship team since the NBA's Sonics won in 1979.

The Seattle Seahawks lost Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Seattle Mariners won 393 games from 2000-2003, including an MLB-record 116 in 2001. The result? Two ALCS appearances, both lost to the New York Yankees.

The Winter Meetings are over and winter itself officially starts next week. While some of the Tigers are home in the tropics or enjoying 18 holes in Florida, The Hammer Toss will keep you warm with the hot stove!

Stop celebrating. This is no time for a high-five. The Tigers' offseason is quickly heading toward the toilet, as we are left to reap what has been sown in years past. 

Failure begets failure. So much more the same. Tiger nation is left to "stay the course."

I come from a family who takes their sports very seriously. I'm from a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. I'm a Red Wings, Tigers, Lions, Pistons, and University of Michigan fan.

By reading off that list alone, you can venture to guess that the past several years—with the exception of a Red Wings Stanley Cup two years ago—ave not been the best to be a fan of those teams.

Red Sox fans are just getting used to the idea of Mike Cameron patrolling left field for the Red Sox next season. And for many, it's not a particularly sexy idea.

After all, Cameron is 37 and has a lifetime .250 average. Among active players, only Jim Thome (2,313) has struck out more times than Cameron (1,798).

It's tough to get excited about that.

For Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry, for Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels, and for free-agent outfielder Marlon Byrd, the last 48 hours have made an interesting, interwoven series of impacts upon the tone and tenor of the MLB offseason.

Lost amid the flurry of Monday's higher-profile deals, free-agent outfielder Mike Cameron agreed to a two-year pact with the Boston Red Sox.

There were two major moves this week in baseball.

John Lackey, the best pitcher on the free market, signed with the Boston Red Sox.

Roy Halladay was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, Cliff Lee was sent to the Mariners, and the Blue Jays received prospects.

There are a couple of ways this plays into the Braves' hand.

First of all, the Los Angeles Angels have lost their ace. 

Second, the Seattle Mariners acquire their new ace to serve at the top of their rotation along with Cy Young Award Candidate Felix Hernandez.

Roy Halladay was in Philadelphia today with his agent, which likely will signify the former Toronto Blue Jays' ace arrival in Philadelphia and former ace Cliff Lee's departure.

The report was cited on ESPN.com.

Cliff, we hardly knew ya.

Seattle is the third team involved.

Along with Lee, according to Sport Radio 610-WIP on the Howard Eskin show, prospect Dominic Brown will be part of the deal from the Phillies.

I am not sure who Seattle gives up, but they probably get Brown in the deal.

The New York Mets have recently let go four  non-tendered players—Tim Redding, Jeremy Reed, Cory Sullivan and Lance Broadway.

Redding put together a terrible season in 2009, posting a record of 3-6, collecting 76 strikeouts with a disgusting 5.10 ERA in 120 innings pitched. Redding was signed by the Mets for an insane amount of money ($2.25 million) for a below average pitcher.

The Colorado Rockies chose not to tender a contract to third baseman Garrett Atkins last night, making him a free agent.

Colorado had been trying to trade Atkins since last summer, but found no suitable, or willing, trade partners.