If he's laughing now, imagine the look on his face after he gets through free agency...

The Red Sox are still pouring the champagne, and the baseball talk has already shifted into hardcore offseason mode. With that in mind, here are the ten names to be watching this offseason:

Alex Rodriguez, Shortstop/Third Base
The entire offseason revolves around this linchpin. Boras has announced that A-Rod has opted out of his Yankees contract—and the Yankees have pledged that they will not attempt to sign him. That might be merely posturing, but the Yankees might have reached a point where they really are not willing to spend more, finally realizing that the team is at a point where it needs to get younger. Who are going to be the interested parties? The Red Sox made no qualms about their interest in Rodriguez last time around, but if the money then was a sticking point, will they be willing to pay even more this time around? The Cubs will also be interested, and if he moves to Chicago, he is almost certain to move back to shortstop thanks to the presence of Aramis Ramirez. Both Los Angeles teams will be interested, and both have serious weaknesses at third base. Could there be another team we are not even looking at? Possibly, but the money factor here really limits A-Rod to those four teams, along with the two New York markets, which would be out of the picture. If we had to give one long shot, it would be the Phillies, where third base was a hole all season, but their primary needs are pitching, not more hitting.

Miguel Cabrera, Third Base
The Marlins do not need to move him right now, but he is their one good trade commodity, and he will be a sizeable portion of their payroll. Whoever misses out on the A-Rod sweepstakes will be willing to pay the Marlins a king’s ransom for Cabrera, regardless of any reservations about his recently added girth. If the Red Sox part ways with Mike Lowell (he is coming later), a package of Michael Bowden, Lars Anderson, and another hitter might do it. The Yankees have plenty of chips to offer, and Alan Horne, Jose Tabata, and another lesser prospect would get Cabrera in pinstripes. The Angels will give a call or four, and the Rangers might try to put together an offer similar to the one they had made for Josh Beckett two years ago. The offers will be out there, and Cabrera could be  packing.

Mike Lowell, Third Base
The Red Sox right now are sticking to a two-year offer for Lowell, as there are concerns about a multiyear deal for the 34-year-old third baseman with previous injury worries. That said, he is coming off one of his best seasons yet, and his postseason performance will have even more teams looking at him. The Sox will need to offer him three years, and they just might. If not, the Yankees will look to bringing their old prospect back, and he will be highly sought after, especially with his more affordable price tag when compared to A-Rod.

Adam Dunn, First Base/Outfield
The Reds need to decide whether they want to re-up with Dunn for one more year, as they have a $13 million, one-year option on him. Even if they decide to do so, they still might want to trade him, and there will be parties interested. The Yankees’ first base situation was a mess this year, and he would be a significant upgrade there. The Angels need power. The Dodgers need power. The Orioles could use an upgrade of Kevin Millar and Aubrey Huff. Dunn would be an upgrade for the Tigers over Sean Casey. The Nationals are still looking for a player to make a splash with, and general manager Jim Bowden loves his former Reds players. The market will be there.

Curt Schilling, Starting Pitcher
His house in Medfield, Massachusetts is already on the market. Does that mean anything? It is a definite… maybe. There are plenty of reasons for him to stay, such as his gaming company being based in Massachusetts, and his kids being in school there, but the Sox might not pony up the money that is needed to sign him. His age is an issue, especially if he asks for a multiyear deal, but a one- or possibly two-year deal could happen, keeping him in Boston. If not, it is a rather thin market for pitching, and Schilling could be the best available. >

Todd Jones, Closer
Yes, Mariano Rivera is also available, and we will touch on him later, but he is less likely to leave, making Jones the more important one to talk about. Is he staying in Detroit? Is he even wanted in Detroit? The Tigers might be ready to name Joel Zumaya the closer, closing out Jones’ potential return. If so, where does he go then? The Braves need a closer, and Jones is from Georgia, so they are a good fit there. The Rangers have said they would prefer a veteran free agent closer over their in-house options, so that is an option as well. Are the Giants really pleased with Brad Hennessey? Could the Brewers be in the market if Francisco Cordero leaves?

Francisco Cordero, Closer
Hey, didn’t we just mention him? We did, and he comes after Jones only because we think he is more likely to return to his team than Jones is, but he is still a question. He is not likely to want to return to Texas, leaving him one less option than Jones, but his agent will still get plenty of calls if he does leave Milwaukee, but we are betting on him staying. 

Mariano Rivera, Closer
If Rivera leaves, does Joba Chamberlain get the closer’s role? Might the Yankees be factoring Chamberlain already into the equation in terms of how much, or how little, they offer Rivera? Does Rivera want to stay with Joe Torre gone? Probably, but only if the money is right. How much money? He and the Yankees might have a different feeling on what is the right amount, and that could force Rivera to hit the road. We think he is the least likely of the three closers to leave, but his team more than the other two has an elite option to replace him (no offense to Zumaya, but his Guitar Hero days have us loving Joba more…). 

Tim Wakefield, Starting Pitcher
Why is Wakefield on the list? He had a great season, but he would not leave Boston, would he? Wakefield could potentially shape the free agent market even more than Schilling, as what the Sox do or do not do with Wakefield will dictate if Schilling stays or goes. If Wakefield stays, will the Sox ask him to go to the bullpen, or will he stay on as a starter? Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Jon Lester are all locks for the rotation. Will Clay Buchholz be in the rotation next year to open the season? If so, that leaves only one spot for Wakefield or Schilling, If Wakefield re-signs before Schilling, and there is no indication that Wakefield is moving to the pen, that means that Schilling is likely gone. While he will not test the free agent waters – if the Sox do not sign him, he is more likely to retire, where a front office or NESN position awaits him in Boston – Wakefield’s contract status will shape the free agent season.

Jorge Posada, Catcher
Unlike Rivera, the Yankees do not have an obvious replacement for Posada. Do they dare let him walk? If so, where could he go? What teams with money are looking for a catcher? The answer for Posada, unfortunately, is not many, so he might be forced to accept whatever the Yankees offer, but if he walks, he will be playing for a significantly weaker team next year.