SHORTSTOP NOTES FROM A SLOW FREE AGENCY

Things will certainly pick up once the Winter Meetings come around in a couple of weeks, but as expected, this year's free agency has started slow. While the economy has picked up somewhat from last year, it still isn't what it was, and teams are milking this as they once again try to undercut players. Don't get me wrong, players do indeed get paid far too much anyway, but once a precedent has been set, its tough to go the other way, as was the case last year, and now seems to be this time as well. The marquis players will still get their money, there's no doubt about that, but it'll be interesting to see how the mid-tier fares, and I just feel bad for the lower-tier guys.

That said, a couple of lower end guys have signed, both with Toronto, and both being shortstops. John McDonald re-signs as the probable back-up while the Blue Jays also went with all-defense for their starter with Alex Gonzalez. This most likely spells the end for Marco Scutaro in the Great White North, but honestly, I never thought he'd go back. He priced himself out of there with a career year, and the journeyman plans to cash in, which he should. Baseball is all about cashing in on those types of rewards, and teams have historically given out decent contracts to these types of players, see Gary Matthews Jr.. The Red Sox would be silly not to go for Scutaro, now the head of the short-stop class, unless they want a return dance with Orlando Cabrera. It seems like a perfect match, unless the Sox have other ideas?

I wonder if they would entertain the possibility of trading for Jose Reyes? While his value might a little tarnished after an injury marred season that seemed ridiculous, he should be ready to go for the new season, and Mets can still get back some decent chips. While most Mets fans wouldn't let him go, to me he's a headache I'd get rid of. They have a big shortstop prospect coming in Wilmer Flores, so trading Reyes is possible. Can they get Clay Bucholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Lars Anderson for Reyes? It would certainly solve rotation, outfield, and first base problems. Of course, the Sox have a SS prospect coming and the Mets a first base one, but there's a probable match there somewhere.

Speaking of first basemen, the Mets should look into signing former Yankee Shelly Duncan. He'll be super cheap, and I think he could be ready to break out in the majors. I think the guy has always had the ability to play in the big leagues, he just needs a chance to do it. Have him platoon with Murphy for this year, he'd certainly bring the power. At the very least, he can be a good pinch hitter off the bench.