Their comes a time every year in which teams throughout the Major Leagues start to build or bolster their championship team. This time is known as the off- season, and this season like all the others has been filled with surprises. Teams who came in last and teams that came in first are picking up players left and right, which could make for an interesting season.

It is not often that we see a last place team, become the biggest spender of the off-season, but the Chicago Cubs have done just that. So far this off season the Cubs have resigned Aramis Ramirez, Henry Blanco, Wade Miller, and Kerry Wood. They also have been making an impact on the free agent market by picking up Mark DeRosa, and trading for Neil Cotts. Though no one would have expected that they would pick up the biggest free agent of the off -season. Today, the Chicago Cubs signed free agent Alfonso Soriano to a 8 year 136 million dollar contract. This was the biggest contract in team history. The Cubs haven't had a player that was feared in their lineup since Sammy Sosa, but know that they have landed Soriano, things will change.

The Chicago Cubs are not the only team that is making big deals this off season. Today the Los Angeles Dodgers picked up Juan Pierre in a five year 45 million dollar contract, that will give the Dodgers one of the fastest players in the major leagues. Pierre will be filling one of the wholes in the outfield, since JD Drew opted out of his contract. Though with these acquisitions it would appear that the National League is the only league making any big deals, but that is not true.
The New York Yankees traded Gary Sheffield to the Detroit Tigers for 3 Minor League prospects.

The free agent market is one of the best this year and one of the deepest. Teams are built during the offseason and its where you build your championship team.