MLB Hot Stove Baseball!

It was about a year ago that I went to a bar and met up with a guy. We started talking about baseball, and I mentioned to him that I love the "Hot Stove" season.

"Hot Stove?" he asked, "What is that?"

"You never heard of 'Hot Stove Baseball?'" I replied.

He shook his head.

I then proceeded to ask the guy next to us if he heard of it. He said no. I then continued on to ask about 5 other guys in the vicinity, NONE of which knew what "Hot Stove Baseball" was. I was shocked. Now I know I know more about baseball than most girls, but I thought that guys in a sports bar would at least be able to match my knowledge!

With that said, "Hot Stove" is the offseason in baseball, when trade rumors and free agent signings take over the backpages and headlines, thus making my favorite sport a year-round enjoyment. But it's easy to enjoy the offseason when you root for the Yanks and Mets, who always seem to be in the mix with the top names in the game. So what should the Yankees and Mets do this offseason?

YANKEES:

Coming off a World Series championship, you've got to believe there's little work to be done for the Bronx Bombers. And coming off an offseason in which the Yanks spent $423 million on three key players: CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett, you have to believe the big spending might take a year off. But keep in mind--this is the Yankees we're talking about.

Andy Pettitte, Johnny Damon and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui are all free agents, and it isn't inconceivable to think that all 3 won't return. (Pettitte most certainly will be back, Damon will probably get higher offers elsewhere but might take a shorter deal to remain, and Matsui might return at a bargain rate if the Yanks are willing to use him for the majority of a rotating DH spot).

But the Yanks are already rumored to be interested in top starter John Lackey and in the mix for Blue Jays ace, Roy Halladay. With $26 million coming off the books with Damon and Matsui's contract, the Yankees can opt to shift that money towards a fourth starter in the rotation. And yes, it is possible that the World Champs will field an even better team in 2010.

METS:

Oh, man. Where do we begin. In a season that couldn't get any worse (not only did they fail to meet expectations, but Mets fans were forced to watch their rival Phillies and Yankees in the World Series), the Mets could use help in just about every area. So GM Omar Minaya will certainly be in the mix on just about every free agent and every potential star available in trades. Top outfielder Matt Holliday could be a great fit with the team, and mixed reports show he's either willing to come to NY or doesn't want any part of it (remember--players use large market teams for leverage).

But holes at catcher, first base (Delgado is probably headed to an AL club where he can DH), left field, and in the starting rotation (who knows what they'll get from Oliver Perez and John Maine next year), the Mets are a MESS. Expect the team to acquire a first baseman, sign a left fielder, and add another arm to the rotation (Roy Halladay is a long-shot but still a possibility).

Minaya has a lot of work ahead of him, but out of all the teams in baseball, the Mets roster will probably look the most different in 2010 compared to 2009.