As the off-season began to take shape, thirty of major league baseball?s general managers began their annual scouting process for the ideal players they felt would be the necessities needed to reinforce the current product that lay open for improvement. Whether your name tag is Ken Williams or Dave Littlefield, all GMs vie for the opportunity of improving their ball club with the aim of making it just as good as last years squad. Each one attempts to directly pin-point the areas of need, making it easier for them to start devising a plan on which players they should target. Of course, many teams in today?s game have different approaches given that money restrictions prevent them from acquiring the players of larger salaries. Although with plenty of teams, that theory proves not to be as accurate as we thought. This year?s free agent pool was full of excitement, more so for the fans waiting eagerly by their TV sets or computers trying to figure out the status of a marquee player with aspirations the team they cheered for would sign him. A variety of different players hit the free agent market this off-season, all with the intent of cashing in big contracts with the team they felt suited them the best. But whoever said cashing in on a big contract meant you had to stay with your current team? This proved not to be the case for the majority of them as many suffered from a change-of-heart, some leaving a team they called home for the greater part of their baseball career. We witnessed an acrobatic shortstop ponder his time in Atlanta before suddenly deciding that that wasn?t where he wanted to play for the seasons to come. While John Schuerholz was attempting to maintain him, the young Dominican bolted to Hollywood with excitement of what the future would hold for him. His presence at any order of a manger?s lineup brings a speedy approach to the way a game will be played. His way of eyeing the opposing pitcher?s pitching delivery while running the bases, leads to a catastrophic night for any catcher attempting to throw him out. His style of defense is sometimes incomparable to other great shortstops of the past. Or was it another lead-off hitter, who not only possessed lengthy hair that nearly touched his uniform number, but also had the facial hair enough to have some dub him a look-alike to Jesus Christ himself. He contemplated his tenure in Boston before he too would ultimately find solace with a fresh team that bore pinstripes. The way he platoons the centerfield position may sometimes be questioned due to his throwing abilities, yet he is just as good as any other outfielder running down a pop fly. How many countless times did we see him stomp across home plate before looking up his stats to find out he nearly had done it 100 times? Might it be the fact that each time he would be rounding third base, the term ?run home? yelled out by his third base coach would soon start to be an every game phrase he got use to? Shea Stadium welcomed a new arm to their ball club, but this one had proven time and time again to be unstoppable as he entered 9th inning games, while anxious fans desperately hoped for the win. His pitching speed couldn?t be emphasized enough as to how sudden opposing batters would have to react before finally realizing the pitch was already in the catcher?s mitt. But buyers beware, as this southpaw has endured injuries from time to time. The injuries from his past shouldn?t prohibit the closer this season from representing his fellow teammates at the midsummer classic. He lends insurance to pitchers like Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine, both of whom should add more wins to their record this season, as they hand him the ball come crunch time. Toronto Blue Jays went into a shopping spree this off-season, as they grabbed high quality players faster than George Steinbrenner?s hand signing checks. This once fallen franchise has quickly reshaped its roster enough to put them as instant contenders in a division that seems to always be won by the Red Sox or Yankees. But that soon may change because of players like A.J. Burnett, B.J. Ryan, Benji Molina, Troy Glaus and the supporting class of last year?s club that should help add more than 80 wins. The pitching staff is looking strong especially with the former CY Young winner Roy Halladay returning to make he and Burnett a heavy 1-2 punch in the rotation. Some of baseball?s best found what they wanted in the team they decided to sign with. The contracts which end with many zeros toward the end of it go to the players who have worked continuously at their position, providing the numbers that adequately fit each one. Or so we thought. Take starting pitcher Jeff Weaver for example, whom as I write this, is still a free agent searching for a pile of gold from teams. He had firstly hoped his desired money would come from his precious hometown Dodgers, but ultimately he found out they weren?t impressed with the kind of money he wanted. Then there is the once prestigious home run hitter in Sammy Sosa. Sosa is close to signing a deal with the Washington Nationals but anything is possible with him. What Sosa needs to understand is his days of big contracts are behind him, and it?s now time to figure out deals that will complement sufficient playing time. Never again will we see Slammin? Sammy go yard 50 times in one season or drive in 150 RBI. And finally we have Roger Clemens. The Rocket has yet to make up his mind on whether the Astros, Yanks and surprisingly now the BoSox fit his plans, or rather play for a little team called retirement. Now in his early 40s, Clemens has still proven to be unhittable and without a doubt, should return for one last season. With pitchers and catchers reporting for duty in a little under than three days, what uniform will we see one of baseball?s best pitchers ever to take the mound be wearing, or will he have one at all? Free agency hit many teams this busy off-season with more still to come. When the smoke begins to clear come late September, all general managers will review their team?s overall performance and see where they stand. But which team will have what it takes to be named champions of 2006?