Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Eric.

Tons of player news to touch upon here, so we are doing today’s column Bullet Points-style so that we can hit on as many as possible.

• The best way to lose millions? Pitch like Eric Gagne did in Boston after the trade. Gagne filed for free agency yesterday, and absolutely no one in New England cared. Look for a small-market club to take a chance on him, but even then, it might not be as a closer. Surprisingly, there are few closing options available this offseason, and there are plenty of options out there better than Gagne. Do not bet on him being a closer when the season opens.


• The Reds made the wise move of exercising the option they had on Adam Dunn for $13 million for this season. That does not mean that Dunn will stay there, as he is still very likely to be moved, but it means that the Reds will receive more back for him than just a draft pick. Look for the Angels and Nationals to be among the teams expressing an interest in Dunn.


• The Astros and the White Sox are already courting Torii Hunter. Why the Astros would want him when Hunter Pence was their best player, and better than Hunter, is beyond me, but they do, and he could force Pence to move to a corner outfield spot. The Astros did show last offseason that they are willing to overspend, but the White Sox would probably be a better fit for Hunter.


• The Arizona Diamondbacks have offered Tony Clark a two-year deal, and he is likely to accept it. The Diamondbacks consider him a good veteran presence in the clubhouse, which can be the only logic for wanting to keep Clark around to take at-bats away from younger, better, cheaper players. Expect Clark to stay, vulture off at-bats from Conor Jackson, and put up similar numbers to what he did this year.


• Jorge Posada has at least suitor lined up besides the Yankees that would keep him in the five boroughs, as the Mets have expressed an interest in him. The Yankees have to be considered the favorites to sign him, though, so do expect him to go anywhere.


• The Alex Rodriguez silliness is well underway. The Angels have been reported to have discussions with Scott Boras, and, of course, he has neither other clients nor any other reason to possibly speak to the Angels. Yes, that was sarcasm. Expect just about every team other than the Royals to be linked with A-Rod at some point this offseason, and about two-thirds of the reports will have no basis in reality. This, of course, is the fun of a Scott Boras free agency.


• Shannon Stewart and the Athletics look to be underway in their contract talks. Both sides expect to get something done here, so look for him to stick around for another sseason.


• Mike Cameron will get a little later start on the season than everyone else, as he has a 25-game suspension to start the season due to a positive test for a banned substance, his second such offense. Cameron of course blames some supplement he took, as players clearly pay no attention to what they put in their own bodies. Well, except when it is contract time, when they say of course they do. Funny how that works…


• Unlike A-Rod, Andy Pettitte will not be opting out of his contract to explore free agency. Pettitte told reporters yesterday that he will either pitch for the Yankees in 2008 or he will retire, so that is at least one thing that Brian Cashman has to worry about. With Pettitte likely to return, the Yankees’ rotation looks much better heading in to 2008 than it did heading in 2007, with Pettitte and Chien-Ming Wang anchoring the rotation. Youngsters Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy will take the No. 3 and No. 4 spot, although Joba Chamberlain could work his way in there if Mariano Rivera returns and they do not make Chamberlain their Jonathan Papelbon.


• Lastly, Moises Alou picked up just 328 at-bats last year due to the usual reasons that follow Alou wherever he goes – injuries – and yet the Mets still picked up an option for 2008 for $7.5 million. Alou is 41, so the injury issues that have plagued him will only get worse, not better. Do not let it be said that the Mets are likely to do the smart thing, as they usually will not.

Tomorrow, more news and notes from the league, and, starting Monday, our team reports and top ten prospects begin.