Before the dust had settled on the Red Sox World Series victory, super agent Scott Boras unceremoniously opened the off-season when he announced that Alex Rodriguez had opted out of the final three years of his contract and was now a free agent.

A slew of baseball's finest followed suite, with 57 players filing for free agency on Monday. Anyone who thinks baseball is dead till the summer should think again; the off-season is every fans chance to dream of landing that big name superstar. But it's also a period of dread, as favorite player's leave old homes for new pastures.

With GMs scrambling to grab marquee pitching and the back pages everwhere spewing out trade rumors, the off-season can be just as drama filled as October baseball. UPDATE! presents its list of free agents to be:

Comment: Scott Boras' untimely announcement of his clients free agency during Game 4 of the World Series was fitting: A-Rod finally found a way to involve himself in October baseball. Even with all his post-season woes, Rodriguez remains the best hitter in the MLB — maybe even the history of the game. But seriously, who can pony up the money (reportedly $30 million a year) he's seeking?

Comment: This six-time gold glover put up monster numbers en route to an All Star appearance this season, making him one of the most prized off-season free agents. On an offensively inept Twins squad he posted 107 RBI, 94 runs, hit a svelte .287 and swiped 18 bags for good measure. And after 11 seasons with the Twins, he's reportedly looking to change uniforms. Most fantasy players will over-draft Hunter next season (he won't repeat last season's numbers at age 32), but he's still a five-tool fantasy stud that any team would love to have.

Comment: Bonds' storied tenure in San Francisco has come to an end. Giants' owner Peter Magowan has said that he will not bring back the home run king. He's got plenty of game left, even with his balky knees. The evidence: In limited time last season he recorded 28 home runs and 66 RBI, while leading the MLB with a .480 OBP. Heading to the AL as a permanent designated hitter, he should receive at least 450 at-bats (in 2001 he hit 73 home runs in just 476 at bats). While those numbers are unlikely, he could be a fantasy steal. That is, if he doesn't get injured or indicted for steroid use.

Comment: The last time the Red Sox won the World Series seven of the 25 players didn't return. Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield and Mike Lowell have all expressed their desire to remain Red Sox, but don't count on it. Lowell, especially, could command big money this off-season; the World Series MVP batted .324, belted 24 round trippers and drove in a career high 120 runs. Even at 33, Lowell will be a hot commodity on the free agent circuit. Look someone to make a run at this slick-fielding third baseman — just don't expect him to repeat his career year.

Comment: This bulky right-hander had a rough season, posting a 6.34 ERA and a 6-8 record in 19 games. But that doesn't mean he won't command big bucks on the free agent market. Remember: Colon is just two seasons removed from 21-8, 3.48 season and owns a career 4.10 ERA. How will a move affect his fantasy value? Consider taking a flyer on Colon; with two bumpy seasons behind him, it could be smooth sailing ahead. He's too good to keep disappointing for long.

ARIZONA
Cirillo, Jeff (3B); Hernandez, Livan (SP); Wickman, Bob (RP)
ATLANTA
Franco, Julio (1B); Mahay, Ron (RP)
CHICAGO CUBS
Wood, Kerry L. (RP)
CLEVELAND
Nixon, Trot (OF)
COLORADO
Affeldt, Jeremy (RP); Julio, Jorge (RP)
DETROIT
Casey, Sean T. (1B); Jones, Todd (RP)
FLORIDA
Benitez, Armando (RP)
HOUSTON
Ausmus, Brad (C); Lamb, Mike (3B); Loretta, Mark D. (INF); Miller, Trever D. (RP); Moehler, Brian (RP); Palmeiro, Orlando (OF)
KANSAS CITY
LaRue, Jason (C); Sanders, Reggie (OF)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Colon, Bartolo (SP)
MILWAUKEE
Cordero, Francisco (RP); King, Ray (RP); Koskie, Corey L. (3B); Linebrink, Scott (RP); Miller, Damian (C)
MINNESOTA
Hunter, Torii K. (OF); Silva, Carlos (SP)
NY METS
Anderson, Marlon (OF); Castillo, Luis A. (2B); Castro, Ramon Abraham (C); Easley, Damion (INF); Green, Shawn (OF); Lo Duca, Paul (C)
NY YANKEES
Mientkiewicz, Doug A. (1B); Posada, Jorge (C); Rivera, Mariano (RP); Rodriguez, Alex (3B); Vizcaino, Luis (RP)
OAKLAND
DaVanon, Jeff (OF); Stewart, Shannon H. (OF)
PHILADELPHIA
Lieber, Jon (SP); Mesa, Jose (RP); Nunez, Abraham O. (3B); Rowand, Aaron (OF)
PITTSBURGH
Armas Jr., Tony (SP)
ST. LOUIS
Cairo, Miguel J. (INF); Eckstein, David (SS); Percival, Troy (RP); Wells, Kip (SP)
SAN DIEGO
Barrett, Michael P. (C); Bradley, Milton (OF)
SAN FRANCISCO
Bonds, Barry (OF); Feliz, Pedro (3B)
TORONTO
Kennedy, Joe (P); Stairs, Matt (OF)
WASHINGTON
Fick, Robert (1B)




Lamberti is UPDATE! Editor-in-Chief.