With the 2008 World Series now in the books, the free agent period begins. I just want to mention some of the bigger moves. I expect there to be much more excitement to write about next week. This year’s free agent market is going to be huge.

Tigers bought out SS Edgar Renteria’s option.

Detroit bought out the last year of Renteria’s contract for $3 million instead of paying him $12 million, a logical choice when you consider that Renteria hit only .270 with a .317 OBP. He never had great power and the speed he had is now gone. Defensively, he used to be great, but he has lost a step or two. He also cannot stay healthy anymore, either. The 33-year-old isn’t worth the $12 million anymore. The Tigers did leave the door open to for Renteria to rejoin the Tigers, but at a cheaper price.

Royals traded P Leo Nunez to the Marlins for 1B Mike Jacobs.

The cost-conscious Marlins swapped their arbitration-eligible first baseman for a relief pitcher that they see as a setup man and possible closer. This means that 1B/DH Billy Butler is now a full-time DH and Ryan Shealy gets screwed again. Shealy only hit .301 with 7 HR in 73 at-bats; you'd think the Royals would give him a chance. Jorge Cantu becomes the full-time first baseman for the Marlins with Wes Helms backing him up.

Fernando Tatis signed a one-year deal with the Mets.

While down in the AFL, I sat with John Sickels and told him the sad story of how I drafted Tatis in my home league back in 1998 based upon the recommendation in his book. Tatis exploded in 1999 and hit .298 with 34 HR and 21 SB. Based upon that performance, I traded my depth in that position, but Tatis never did that again. He sat on my 40-man roster until I finally dropped him in 2004. Well, the 2008 NL Comeback Player of the Year earned the contract hitting .297 with 11 HR in 273 at-bats. He will play LF against left-handers. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

 White Sox decline the options of OF Ken Griffey and C Toby Hall.

A cost-cutting move for the White Sox, Ken Griffey’s last year would have cost $16 million and there isn’t a spot available in the outfield or at DH. Paying Hall $2.25 million when A.J. Pierzynski plays 130 to 140 games doesn’t make sense.

Brewers offered big, big contract to P CC Sabathia.

I’m only mentioning this because I never thought I see the day that the Brewers would offer a contract of this magnitude. While the exact offer is unknown, it is expected to be around $25 a year for four years. I grew up in Milwaukee. A big free agent signing there used to be Dickie Thon.

P Greg Maddux plans to retire.

It's lookig more and more likely that the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer will retire. Maddux will finish his career with 347 wins, an amazing number for such a soft-tosser.

 P A.J. Burnett to opt out of contract.

Burnett has a clause in his contract that allows him to opt out and leave two years and $24 million on the table. When you consider that the average price for a veteran pitcher was $10 million last year, $12 million doesn’t seem like much. As there are many teams looking for help and there is expected to be money flying all over the place, Burnett’s decision is certainly logical.

Yankees buy out 1B/DH Jason Giambi’s contract.

Let me see, you owe someone $22 million. He’s 37-years-old, hit .247 with 32 home runs. He is very slow and isn’t very good defensively. Time to move on.

Dodgers buy out P Brad Penny’s contract.

This is kind of a surprise move. Penny had a terrible season going 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA. He went on the DL three times with shoulder problems. Still, he would be paid $9.25 million, much less than the average price for a starter. Clearly, he has other problems.