Blyleven: The Yankees have doled out $423 million this offseason on free agents CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett. Tons of money well spent? Maybe, but coughing up all the cash does not make manager Joe Girardi's club a lock to make the playoffs.

Remember that while some big names have been added, other players prominent to the Yankees' success have left, most notably Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi. Between them Mussina and Pettitte won 34 games last season. Abreu batted .296 with 20 home runs and 100 RBI and Giambi had 32 home runs and 96 RBI.

Prince Fielder and his agent Scott Boras have rejected one proposal from the Brewers on a multi-year contract and seem set on going into free agency after the 2011 season. The Brewers would be better served moving Fielder as soon as possible. Milwaukee is on the clock.

At Bat: There isn't very much interest out there in a fading player who hit 41 home runs only three seasons ago.

Creative Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has added John Smoltz, Brad Penny, Takashi Saito, Rocco Baldelli and Josh Bard. That's a lot of potential production for about the cost of one season of Mark Teixeira. And it's not as if the Red Sox needed any major retooling.

WHEN DOES MANNY RAMIREZ MAKE A DEAL? The longer certain Scott Boras clients wait, the more they will be rewarded (see Oliver Perez below). That appears to be the Ramirez strategy.

There is already a screaming need for Ramirez with the Dodgers. The Giants perplex me -- there is a need and a faction of ownership is obsessed with the "marquee factor." Ramirez gives the Giants a name, provides value to those ticket holders who remain after four consecutive losing seasons and attracts new customers. But at what cost?

Meanwhile I can't shake a hunch that the Mets still have a play in the Ramirez sweepstakes.

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly on the verge of signing a sixth starter: John Smoltz.

The longtime Atlanta Braves ace, 41, is nearing a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Red Sox, according to a FOXSports.com. The deal also includes $4.5 million in incentives, which could boost his deal to a total of $10 million.

The ninth inning at Dodger Stadium could be Trevor Time this year. As the San Francisco Giants consider trumping the Dodgers' offer to Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers have offered all-time save leader Trevor Hoffman a one-year contract to be their closer.

Hoffman made $7.5 million last season with the San Diego Padres, who withdrew a $4-million offer to him in November. The Dodgers' offer exceeds $4 million.