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BOSTON -- The biggest trade at last year's winter meetings was Brad Ausmus for Roger Cedeno, also starring Doug Brocail, Mitch Meluskey,
Chris Holt and Nelson Cruz. How'd you ever forget that one?
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But that's not all, folks ...
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10 available pitchers
They've all got their share of baggage -- financial or otherwise. But all these guys will be dangled this week:
Denny Neagle, Esteban Loaiza, John Halama, Jose Paniagua, Bret Tomko, Jason Johnson, Sidney Ponson, Gabe White, Matt Clement, John Rocker.
10 available hitters
See above for why:
Carl Everett, Greg Vaughn, Todd Zeile, Mo Vaughn, Ray Durham, Carlos Lee, Brad Fullmer, Ray Lankford, Jay Payton, Neifi Perez.
10 juicy names who won't get traded
You may see their names in Rumor Central. But we'd bet Derek Jeter's phone book that not one of these guys has a different address at the end of the week than he has today:
Roberto Alomar, Omar Vizquel, Mike Hampton, Brian Giles, Carlos Delgado, Mike Sweeney, Steve Finley, Troy Percival, Armando Benitez, Pudge Rodriguez.
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It was a fine halftime show in between the Mike Hampton signing and the A-Rod Group corporate acquisition. But as legendary winter-meetings deals go, it wasn't exactly Joe Carter and Robbie Alomar for Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez.
As the crowds start forming in another winter-meetings lobby this week, however, there are signs that this time around, the meetings might not be just another free-agent fest.
There are so many big names bouncing off the chandeliers and so many clubs that still have needs to fill, we might actually see a major deal or three. And if we do, these are the 10 names they're most likely to center around:
Scott Rolen -- In an age when the third-base talent pool has sunk to its lowest level in years, the idea of dealing for a 26-year-old human highlight film might inspire a dozen clubs to visit the Phillies' suite this week. But uncertainty over Rolen's signability, plus the three-player price tag -- which would include either a top-of-the-rotation starter or a potential-star position player -- could scare off most of those suitors. So the Phillies might just decide to keep him. Clubs interested include Cardinals, Cubs, Mariners, Dodgers, Reds.
Jeff Cirillo -- Cirillo is 5½ years older than Rolen. He's also signed for four more years, at $29.1 million. Whether that's a good thing or bad thing depends on your point of view. But with the Rockies in payroll-slicing mode, Cirillo could look like a great consolation prize to clubs who back out of the Rolen action. Clubs most interested: Mariners, Cubs.
Gary Sheffield -- The Dodgers' public stance is that they'd prefer not to move Sheffield. Privately, they've been actively shopping him for weeks. But Sheffield has a limited no-trade, and even though that doesn't include Oakland, he's been sending signals he wouldn't be a happy camper in green and gold. Still, the A's continue to investigate. Also interested (under the right circumstances): Yankees, Mets.
Dmitri Young -- He's hit .300 four straight years. He's a year away from free agency. And the Reds are looking to move Young to open vacancies for the young boppers who will be their future -- Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns and Ruben Mateo. Dangle the right starting pitcher (Kevin Millwood? Joel Pineiro? Bud Smith?), and Young is all yours. Among the interested: Braves, Mariners, Cardinals, Orioles.
Pokey Reese -- The Pokey-mon had a miserable year (.224 average, .284 on-base) in more ways than one. But he, too, is a year from free agency and in need of a new address. He needs an offensive makeover. But, defensively, he covers more ground than the 18th fairway at Augusta -- at either short or second. (He led all NL shortstops in chances per nine innings and was second among second basemen with 50 or more games.) The Cubs have definite interest. And Seattle might if Bret Boone signs elsewhere.
Jeromy Burnitz -- Burnitz's two-year, $20-million extension hasn't even kicked in yet. But as the Brewers look to downsize their strikeout glut, they'd like to start with the guy with the biggest swing since Reginald Jackson. The Mets are still weighing variations on that Matt Lawton-Glendon Rusch-Burnitz-Jeff D'Amico extravaganza that has been on the table for weeks.
Cliff Floyd -- The questions isn't whether Floyd is available. It's when he's available. Can a team with no GM, no manager and an owner looking to bail out even make a trade? We could find out this week. Whenever Floyd does hit the market, the line starts with the Yankees. Also inquiring: Braves, Mariners, Mets.
Raul Mondesi -- Bud Selig's accountants say the Blue Jays lost $43 million this season. So new GM J.P. Ricciardi would love to move more money than Charles Schwab this week. Mondesi has two years and $24 million coming. But the Jays might digest a few bucks of that tab if it can a decent young player in return. So far, not much action.
David Justice -- Yeah, he's only been a Met for about 20 minutes. But there could easily be an American League destination on Justice's itinerary. Oakland had mild interest once. Could revive it if other plans fall through.
Danny Graves -- Free agent Jeff Shaw keeps knocking on the Reds' door. If they sign him, Graves suddenly becomes available. The Reds have talked about making him a starter. But a more likely option is dealing him for a more established starter from a club with a closer opening. Teams fitting that description: Dogers, Rangers, Orioles.
Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
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