Rankings/List

General Manager Andy MacPhail has made it public that he will be aggressive in trying to sign players in an attempt to improve an Orioles team that actually impressed people over the final two months of the season.

That being said, very little is being said about the players that were on the roster last season that are currently free agents and whether or not to sign them.

Here is the list of the seven major free agents the Orioles will be at risk to lose and whether or not they should be in Baltimore next season.

Derek Jeter isn't budging on his contract demands, and the New York Yankees don't appear to be willing to cave anytime soon.

It's no surprise that the "Captain's" contract talks have gone public, but few expected negotiations to go public this early in the process.

Despite coming off the worst season of his career, Jeter still has more value than any other shortstop that the Yankees would be able to land in the offseason.

But does Hank Steinbrenner really want to break the bank to retain a player on the downside of his career?

Apparently not.

Victor Martinez is officially off the free agent market as the Detroit Tigers signed him to a four year $50 million contract, and Detroit is sure to benefit from the offensive strength he brings to the team.

But is this catcher's batting power worth $50 million when his defense behind the plate leaves quite a bit to be desired?

And could his age pose problems for the Tigers?

Some would say that Victor Martinez is being paid far too much, but he isn't the first player in the MLB to sign a contract larger than his actual talent.

No one on this list needs an introduction. 

If you follow the Yankees, or simply, have been following baseball over it's magnificent history, the names on this list speak for themselves. 

Although most of these players on this list are Hall of Famers, and while some will fall short of reaching Cooperstown, there is no doubt, they are all Yankee legends. 

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The 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants.

Such a nice ring to it, wouldn't you agree?

The Major League Baseball title drought is over in The City, and the champagne showers that quenched the thirst have passed—but the euphoria is still thick. So thick, in fact, that the reality of the Commissioner's Trophy hasn't set in for many who joined the roller-coaster bandwagon in time to ride out a few of its many valleys.

As for yours truly, I strapped in sometime during the 1988 season.

In football, they say defense wins championships. In baseball, that can be translated to pitching wins World Series.

Pitching is the most vital aspect of a team's success. A few shutdown pitchers can lead a team to greatness.

The New York Yankees of the last two decades are known for a strong offense, but it was a solid pitching staff that got them the gold.

Many wearing the pinstripes have stepped on the rubber at the house that Ruth built (and the house that George built) over the last 20 years, but few have done enough to be remembered.

Whether you think the Boston Red Sox was seemingly out to lunch on resigning Victor Martinez or the Detriot Tigers overpaid for a big bat that comes as a defensive liability, there is one thing for sure, Boston has a big bat to replace in their lineup.

Martinez was the only catcher in the MLB to bat over .300 while hitting 20 or more home runs in the season.

He was the number three hitter in their lineup and one of the most productive hitters on the team in the past few seasons, and he will be tough to replace.

Year in and year out, the baseball world becomes littered with free agents in a selection pool.  All of these athletes, now unemployed, are looking for new commitments.  Over the years, we've seen the New York Yankees, in particular, stock up on their share of talent in the winter.  Their surplus in money always makes them a constant player in the free-agent market. 

Cliff Lee is a free agent, and that means the team that flashes the most cash will have the advantage in the arms race.

Lee most likely enjoys Texas, unfortunately, us fans don't really get a lot of the Rangers during the typical MLB season.

As a casual observer of the game, I choose to take a glance at the 10 places in which Lee would look best. Of course, we are taking into account exposure, market and fan base.

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One of the few bright spots of the Red Sox' 2010 season was Adrian Beltre's triumphant return to stardom.

In 154 games with Boston, Beltre hit .321 with 28 homers, 102 RBI and a .919 OPS. He combined his newly rediscovered offensive prowess with his Gold Glove defense for a whopping 7.1 Wins Above Replacement. It's not an exaggeration to say that the Red Sox might have finished below .500 without him.