Its that time of year again when we need to start thinking about whether Roger Clemens will stay or go. With Andy Pettitte signing with the Yankees, will Roger Clemens follow Pettitte as he did 3 years ago or play elsewhere? It is likely that Roger Clemens might try to get the same half season deal that he got last year, which was for more money then most players make in 2 years. It was still a successful year for him in which he went 7-6 with a 2.30 era, in which he proved he still has what is takes. Roger Clemens is still one of the best pitchers in the league and could still demand high prices to pitch for the team of his choice. Roger Clemens is currently 348-178 career with 4064 strikeouts, and has posted one of the best pitching careers of all time. If Roger doesn't come back, he will still be remembered as one of the best players of all time.

Barry Bonds signed a 1 year 16 million dollar contract yesterday with the San Francisco Giants, giving him ample time to break Hank Aaron's single season homerun record. He enters the 2007 season with 734 homeruns only 21 homeruns away from Hank Aaron's magic 755. When Bonds does break the record many questions will be raised on whether or not he deserves it, in the midst of his steroid allegations. With the ongoing talk, of the asterisk, of the steroid era by his name Barry Bonds has still decided to come back for one more year. When Bonds passes Hank Aaron their will be more boo's then cheers, because his historic moment will always be tainted by his connections to the steroid era.

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.

Every year we see players from different countries come to America and try to make it big in Major league baseball. This year many of those players found a chance, that not only would make them heroes in their own countries, but would be able to prove themselves worthy of the Major Leagues. Players from around the world including players from around the MLB pitted themselves against each other in the World Baseball Classic, which was eventually won by Japan. In the World Baseball Classic many players now stand out in Baseball owners minds, but none stand out more then pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Matsuzaka was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic, his dazzling 3-0 record, with a 1.38 era, was what carried his team to victory. These numbers are not just a fluke, Matsuzaka career record in Japan is 108-60 with a 2.95 ERA . He was 16-10 in his first season, and since then has become one of the most dominating pitchers in Japanese baseball over the past decade. The only question posed is where did this superstar come from, and how did he get so easily accustomed to the pressures of the Majors.

Daisuke first gained national support, when he lead his team to a victory in the quarterfinals of the national baseball tournament. This would seem to be just another ordinary victory, if it wasn't for the fact that he threw 250 pitches in 17 innings. The next game he recorded a save, and was becoming known for his persistence. In the last game he did the impossible throwing a no hitter to win the tournament and get the attention from all of the top scouts. Fresh off this victory he was selected by the Seibu Lions as the number one overall pick. He did not disappoint, going on to be one of the best pitchers in Japanese Baseball. He has all the makings of a good pitcher. His fastball is between 90-96 mph, and he is also known for the the infamous gyroball. Matsuzake will forever be a part of baseball in Japan.

On November 6th he finally reached the goal that so many strive for, the lions allowed him to pursue a team in the MLB. He has been scouted by nearly every baseball team, but through the bidding process the front runners are said to be, the Yankees, Red Sox,Mets, Cubs, Rangers, and the Indians. Wherever Matsuzaka lands whether its a good team or a bad team, it will be forever known that he lived the dream. He made it to the Major Leagues.

With J.D Drew opting out of his 4 year contract, the doors have opened for the Dodgers. The Dodgers now have added 33 million dollars to their bank, the 33 million that was going to be paid in Drews contract over the next 2 years. Ned Colleti has already said that the Dodgers are looking for a strong bat and a solid pitcher to add to next years team and with the money they can now use, they seem to be a contendor this offseason. The Dodgers have already showed interest in signing Mark Mulder, Aramis Ramirez, Rich Aurilia, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Jason Schimdt.

Sammy Sosa's career was going great. He was not only a hero on the field he was a hero to fellow kids around the world, whose only dreams were to be a ball player just like him. He played for a team that had not won the World Series since 1908. He gave that team and its fans hope for the future. He always put on a show for the fans cranking home runs out of the park during warm ups. Then came the day, the day that would change his baseball career forever. As Sosa went up to bat in the first inning on June 3rd with runners on base he hit a grounder that appeared to score a run. Something happened though when Sammy Sosa's bat broke on that grounder, it revealed a cork. The great Sammy Sosa had been caught using a corked bat, this accident would bring all of his home runs into question.

After this day Sosa was given a 8 game suspension. His career started to unravel right before his eyes. He went on to bat 288, which was a low average for him. In the years that followed all his numbers went down. This accident brought him from super stardom down to mediocrity. He began to have injury plagued seasons. Until the faithful day when Sammy Sosa finally called it quits and hung up his bat and glove.

It has been one year now since we saw Sammy Sosa step foot on a baseball field. This off season though Sammy Sosa has announced that he plans to return to baseball for the 2007 season. He returns now with his infamous corked bat incident long forgotten in the mist of baseballs steroid scandal. Sammy Sosa is only 12 home runs away from 600 lifetime, a milestone that launches him into a club that few call home. Sammy Sosa turns 37 this year and may not be well received to a team that is in contention, do to the fact that he hasn't picked up a bat or ball in 1 year. His best bet would be to go to a team that is in desperate need of a impact player. Though Sammy Sosa was leaning towards retirement, why does he want to comeback now. Well, in an interview Sosa said " I still have a lot of passion for the game and I'm in shape. I want to get 600 home runs before i say goodbye,". It can be predicted that he will probably end up with a mediocre team, like the Marlins, and bat around 260 with 20 home runs. Sammy can still be an impact player, the only thing standing in his way is whether he wants it bad enough or not.