IT HAS BEGUN...... MLB FREE AGENCY!!!!!!!

What, you thought Mortal Kombat was starting?????

Officially as of 12:01 AM today the MLB free agency period has started and we have already learned quite a few things that may determine the landscape of the offseason, assuming that everyone is telling the truth; players, agents, and teams.

First, Arte Moreno has made it clear that the Matt Holliday will not be an Angel. Ouch! Boy I'm sure that one really pissed Scott Boras. That takes one of the big 3 in the AL out of the running and now has probably decreased the value on Holliday. Imagine, the Angels said they would pursue Jason Bay instead, a guy who is older and according to just about everybody is a worse fielder. I think it might have something to do with the fact that Bay can hit AL pitching.

Second, John Lackey wants to starts negotiations at the Burnett deal, that is $82.5 million over 5 years is the jumping off point if you want to sign Lackey. And I'll bet a number of teams jumped right off the pursuit for Lackey once that statement was made. There have been talks of him getting Barry Zito money, 7 years $126 million, the Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins don't exist in the MLB, unless the Mets or some other desperate team makes him that ridiculous offer.

Jason Bay has already turned down a 4-year $60 million dollar offer from the Red Sox. Hard to imagine that a guy who is 31 and considered a sub-par defender would turn down that kind of money and turn down playing in a park that helps his defensive short-comings. Perhaps he and his agent are looking for a 5th year, or they think that Bay is worth 6 figures. Either way, the lack of a market for Holliday could drive the price for Bay up, it seems he is the more wanted man right now.

There are those who say that this year's free agent crop is nothing special compared to last year's or the potential for next year's. And while I agree that there are no instant impact players maybe with the exception of Lackey, there are a lot of players out there that can help teams that are already good.

I'll look for teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, and Phillies to not make splashy headlines with big acquisitions, but rather supplement there already talented rosters with role players that do the small things that are required to win championships. Its only day 1, and there is plenty of more interest in the offseason to go around.