So now that weve got that pesky little labor snafu out of the way, let baseballs real offseason fun begin. And by that, of course, we mean:Bring on the winter meetings!They will come roaring at us from the shores of the Potomac River. And when you consider all the offseason activity that got shoved in the back of the freezer as teams awaited further developments on the labor front, these meetings have a chance to be crazy.If you want a prediction, I would expect a lot of action, one AL executive said. I think theres a lot of stuff out there that people have arranged and want to do and have had a lot of substantive talks about. And they were left like, Once we know all the rules [in the labor deal], lets get moving on this.OK, so what happens now that those folks finally know all the rules -- or know most of them, anyway? Let the transactions begin. Thats what.First off, there are many, many free agents left to sign, in a world in which 19 of Keith Laws top 23 free agents remain on the board. And some of them -- say, Edwin Encarnacion, Carlos Beltran and Rich Hill, to name three -- could go quickly.But what really will make these winter meetings an awesome Rumor Central attraction is that, for once, those free agents arent going to be headliners in this show. Its going to be a week in which a bunch of five-star, bright-lights players are going to turn up in, like, a dozen trade rumors a day -- because, as long as theyre not a closer or a first baseman/DH, theyre potentially much bigger difference-makers than anyone on the free-agent market.Its one of the worst free-agent groups I can remember, said one longtime NL exec. So I think people are saying, Lets go make a trade.And if thats what theyre saying, it could be one action-packed week. So if anyone needs help out there as they steer their shopping cart through the aisles, were here to offer our expert assistance -- by presenting this handy-dandy buyers guide to the winter meetings:Starting pitchingThe good news: There are three dozen available free-agent starters. The bad news: Exactly one of them is coming off a season in which he worked more than 100 innings, had an ERA under 3.70 and had an ERA+ more than 23 percent above the league average. That would be Rich Hill, naturally. And even though hell turn 37 next March, Hill is poised to sign the contract of a lifetime. (Our prediction: He goes back to the Dodgers.)So for teams looking for top-of-the-rotation arms, the only real route is the Trade Rumor section of this market. And luckily for them, there are some intriguing starters on those shelves.Chris Sale: Were hearing the same grumbling about the White Soxs price tag this winter as we heard last July. One exec described them as asking for the Shelby Miller deal, plus at least two additional pieces. Which means every clubs offer needs to start with its No. 1 prospect and then pile on from there. So why, you ask, would any team pay that?They might not, to be honest. But deals like this normally are easier to make in December than July. And the White Sox seem more motivated to move Sale than they were at the deadline -- with strong interest from teams like the Red Sox, Nationals, Braves and Rangers, all of whom could potentially match up.I think the price is going to come down ... and I think theyre going to move him, said one NL exec. In fact, Id be surprised if they dont.Justin Verlander: This is going to be a tough one. Verlander will be 34 next season. Hes guaranteed $28 million in each of the next three seasons. And he has full trade-veto rights. Beyond that, the new luxury-tax thresholds and penalties may have eliminated a couple of his most likely destinations (namely, Boston and L.A.) -- especially when you factor in that the Tigers have shown no interest in eating any of his salary.But the new labor deal also has heightened the pressure on Verlanders team to cut payroll to stay under the tax threshold. And while the Tigers arent interested in a strict money dump, theyre asking for quality, but not quantity, in the package they would want back.Is there a deal to be made there? I think there is, said one AL exec. I think it comes down to this: Do you want to give up five or six prospects for Chris Sale? Or would you rather give up two or three prospects for Justin Verlander?Chris Archer: Weve speculated about how the labor deal could affect the buyers. But how about the sellers? Put yourself in the shoes of the Rays -- a team that now knows definitively it has almost no chance of getting a first-round pick as compensation if it lets one of its veteran players get all the way to free agency. So this figures to be a club more motivated than ever to trade at least one of its starters, and maybe more than one.Archer -- who is under control for five more years (for just $39 million total) -- is the star attraction in that group. And the Rays havent quite said, Hell no, when teams ask about him. But other clubs are convinced theyre much more likely to move one or two starters who are closer to free agency. So that probably means Alex Cobb, who has one year of control left, or Drew Smyly, who has two years remaining. And Jake Odorizzi (a free agent after three more years) is another option.Thats their M.O., to move guys as they get close to free agency, said one longtime exec. Everyone will call on Archer. I just dont see their motivation to move him now. But with their other guys, theyve got to see what they can get before they walk out the door.Back of the bullpenLooking for a closer? Youll need to keep your checkbook handy. Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon have an excellent chance to reel in $200 million in guaranteed money among them. And if you want to get a feel for what that means, how about this: Mariano Rivera made only $169.4 million over his entire career.A quick look at those three:Aroldis Chapman: Multiple sources say hed love to go back to the Bronx. And the Yankees have let him know they want him back. But if hes waiting for them to throw 100 million bucks at his feet, he could have a long wait, particularly now that the labor deal has applied renewed pressure on the Yankees to keep their payroll under control. The Dodgers and Giants both have interest, but he doesnt seem to be either teams first choice. So this could turn into a waiting game.Kenley Jansen: Because hes the only closer in this group with a qualifying offer weighing him down, there is more reason than ever for Jansen to return to L.A. But watch out for the Marlins. Their manager, Don Mattingly, managed him in Chavez Ravine and is pushing hard for him. And their owner, Jeffrey Loria, is said by agents to be mulling whether to sign off on a huge offer for him.Mark Melancon: The Giants feel like a perfect fit. But the Nationals would love to bring him back. The Marlins have kicked the tires. And Melancon could end up with so many good choices, he could easily wind up with one of the biggest deals by any closer in history.I think all three of these guys wind up at $15-16-17-18 million a year for five years, said one NL exec. Its obvious with Chapman and Jansen. But I dont think Melancon deserves [a whole lot less]. Youre talking about [131] saves over the last three years and extraordinary makeup. Id put as much faith in bringing him in as any of these guys.The bat marketIf youre shopping for a first baseman/DH kind of bat, this free-agent market works for you. But beyond that, the supply of impact hitters drops off precipitously. So lets just say the trade market for bats is alive and well. With names like these ...Andrew McCutchen: He has been the face of the Pirates franchise. But that sure feels as if its about to change. And based on all the chatter between the Pirates and Nationals on Thursday, it could change as soon as the next 24 hours. So who knows if McCutchen is still in play when the Pittsburgh delegation pulls into the winter meetings.Theyre actively trying to move that contract, said one NL exec. And theyre actively trying to move him. Theyre ready to put Starling Marte in center field and move on.Ryan Braun: The Dodgers have gone out of their way to tell other teams they were never as close as advertised to trading Yasiel Puig for Braun last August, even though no one has denied that swap was discussed. So L.A. may not be as logical a fit for this man as many people assume. Nevertheless, he couldnt possibly be more available. And even with some of the baggage Braun carries and the four years and $76 million left on his contract, hes as productive an offensive player as anyone you can trade for this winterI honestly dont know why he wouldnt get traded, said one of the execs quoted earlier. If people really watched him play this year, Id think they should be lining up to take a run at that guy.We havent heard a single decent rumor about Braun all winter. But you know the great thing about the winter meetings? We can just about guarantee that will change next week.Miguel Cabrera: Hey, we bet Miggys name got your attention. But this just in: Theres about as good a chance of Ty Cobb getting traded as there is of Miguel Cabrera getting traded. Asked what the Tigers would want back, one exec we surveyed replied: Lets put it this way. If it happens, it would have to be a historic deal.Another exec said he believes the Tigers have to trade two players in the next few weeks to get younger and slash payroll. The most obvious is J.D. Martinez. His prediction on the other: Ian Kinsler. But bear in mind the Tigers have told everyone when the smoke clears, they still expect to contend next year. So theyre interested only in baseball deals, not zapping dollars. Which makes them one of the most intriguing teams to watch next week.Todd Frazier: The White Sox have told teams they would talk about a long list of their position players -- including Jose Abreu, Adam Eaton, Brett Lawrie and Melky Cabrera. But in an offseason in which the third-base free-agent market basically consists of only Justin Turner and Luis Valbuena, keep Frazier in mind. Hes just a year away from free agency. MLB Trade Rumors projects hell earn $13.5 million in arbitration. And the White Sox are hoping his effervescent personality and 40 home runs will make him more marketable than your average .225 hitter might ordinarily be.If you asked me to name the one guy in their lineup I think theyll trade, Id guess Frazier, said an AL exec. I think of all of them, theyd prefer to move him.But you know the best part about the winter meetings? When you get all 30 teams assembled in one zip code, almost anything is possible. And thats especially true in an offseason that is going to place a bigger premium on creativity than check-writing.So fasten those seat belts. Place your seat backs in the upright and locked position. We cant predict everyone who is about to get traded, but we feel safe in making this bold prediction: Its going to be one entertaining week. Ernie Banks Cubs Jersey . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. Ernie Banks Cubs Jersey . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. http://www.cubsauthentic.com/cubs-anthony-rizzo-jersey/ . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. Brad Brach Jersey . One game after a miserable showing in Oklahoma City, Gay tied a career high with 41 points and the Sacramento Kings cruised to a 114-97 victory at the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Jon Lester Jersey . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. The Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings for next season in college basketball have been updated, and now that rosters are beginning to crystallize, its time to get familiar with each team. Weve already touched on the incoming freshmen to know, the future stars of reality TV,?the top NBA prospect?and each teams defining song. Now we look at the players who can lead, the ones who might someday become head coaches.?1. Duke Blue Devils: Matt Jones The designated dirty-work guy of Dukes 2014-15 national title run has spent most of his career being overshadowed by the Blue Devils increasingly terrifying collection of future NBA talents. He doesnt mind in the least. Now a rising senior, Jones is a consummate leader: selfless, understated and reliable. -- Eamonn Brennan2. Villanova Wildcats: Kris Jenkins If coaching is a learned trait, then Jenkins already has a leg up on the competition. His mother, Felicia, was a successful college coach at Division II Benedict College and is now a high school coach. His guardian, Nate Britt, Sr., not only helped his son, Nate Britt, and Jenkins succeed in summer-league ball, he once turned his sons soccer team from a ragtag bunch of community players into an undefeated travel squad. -- Dana ONeil3. Kentucky Wildcats: Dominique Hawkins Coaching in 2016 requires a disciplined demeanor. So many egos to manage. Hawkins would not break under that pressure. Hes a reserve for a Kentucky team thats recruited some of the most talented players in America. Hawkins never complained about his role as younger players earned minutes over him. He just established an example for others to follow in the locker room. Hawkins understands the game, hes competed against the best and hes always focused on the goals of the team. Thats a great foundation for any coach. -- Myron Medcalf4. Kansas Jayhawks: Tyler Self He knows all the dramatic game stories and likely has watched the film of his dad taking Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Illinois and the Jayhawks to the postseason. Self could be one of those kids who is adamantly opposed to following in his dads footsteps. Or maybe hes counting down the days until graduation when Bill Self could hire him in an entry-level position and he begins the long road to becoming a head coach. -- C.L. Brown5. Virginia Cavaliers: London Perrantes Just watch him play and youll see why. Tony Bennetts floor leader just thinks the game and makes the correct play the majority of the time. Hes the true quarterback of the team, and is an extension of Bennett on the court. This one is a no-brainer. -- Jeff Goodman6. North Carolina Tar Heels: Joel Berry The end of Marcus Paiges career was a farewell to one of the great that guy will probably be an awesome coach one day players of the past decade. Berry isnt the no-brainer Paige would have been for this category, but he is an insightful, and incisive, floor general in his own right. Failing that, [Theo Pinsons postgame press conferences would be amazing. -- Brennan7. Oregon Ducks: Phil Richmond So what if the redshirt junior and walk-on hasnt played much? His father is Mitch Richmond, who was a six-time NBA All-Star. Pop even played for Ducks head coach Dana Altman in junior college and at Kansas State, where Altman was an assistant. In other words, Phil was schooled in good hoops. And before he was a walk-on, Phil was a manager, which is about the same as being a basketball coaching intern. -- ONeil8. Wisconsin Badgers: Zak Showalter Pedigree matters in coaching. The sons of successful coaches arent guaranteed successful careers on the sidelines, but their knowledge of the game often boosts their chances. Showalters father, Steve Showalter, turned Germantown High School (Germantown, Wis.) into a powerhouse that won three consecutive state championships from 2012 through 2014. He also played for Bo Ryan at UW-Platteville. Zak Showalter (7.5 PPG) is a good two-way player for a Badgers team that will demand a greater contribution from him during his senior season. Coaching would be a natural progression for the veteran after his career ends. -- Medcalf9. Xavier Musketeers: Myles Davis Davis is already a coach on the floor for Chris Mack. He led the Musketeers in assists last season with 4.1 per game and ranked fourth in the Big East in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.2. And lets talk pedigree for a minute: Hes the cousin of former Pittsburgh guards Brandon and Brevin Knight. Davis knows the nuances of the game; hes ready to be on a sideline near you when his playing days are done. -- Brown10. Michigan State Spartans: Lourawls Tum Tum Nairn All you need to do is meet Tum Tum once to see why hell be a great coach someday. Hes got an outgoing, infectious personality in which hes almost always upbeat. He knows the game, and would be a fantastic recruiter sometime down the line. -- Goodman11. Indiana Hoosiers: Collin Hartman Hartman is undersized against most forwards and outrun by most wings. Yet, he has thrived at Indiana. Why? He can shoot it, sure, but mostly he grasps the nuances of the game -- angles, positioning, timing -- in ways few college players can. Throw in an inherent understanding of advanced analytics, and that sounds like a pretty good coach to us. -- Brennan12. Arizona Wildcats: Kobi Simmons Odds are the sensational freshman will be busy playing when his college career ends, but the highly sought-after point guard didnt just turn heads because he left high school as the all-time leading scorer (more than 2,000 points). He also led his team to more than 100 wins, two state titles and four championship game appearances. Thats a guy who knows how to win as much as he knows how to play. -- ONeil13. Louisville Cardinals: Quentin Snider As the world crumbled around his program folllowing a sex-for-pay scandal, Snider never surrendered his poise.dddddddddddd Thats a critical trait for any coach. He made gains in his second season and evolved into a reliable weapon for a strong Louisville team. He also earned a spot on the all-ACC academic team for the second consecutive season. In 2016-17, Snider will add the role of team captain -- quarterback of our team, Rick Pitino recently told reporters -- and most expect the junior to handle those duties with ease. Hes in a tough situation due to the drama that surrounds the Cardinals. But this experience will help him if he faces challenges as a coach in the future. -- Medcalf14. Purdue Boilermakers: Spike AlbrechtSpike Albrecht has yet to play a game for the Boilermakers, but the Michigan transfer was a two-time captain with the Wolverines and made the 2013 all-Final Four team. Hes expected to step into the starting lineup at Purdue, which could use some stability at point guard. The 5-foot-11 guard has overachieved throughout his playing career, which tends to make for the best leaders. -- Brown15. West Virginia Mountaineers: Tarik Phillip The senior guard, who originally hails from Brooklyn, has a high basketball IQ and also is really good with the young kids on the team. He possesses quality leadership, and would be a quality coach someday. -- Goodman16. Gonzaga Bulldogs: Przemek Karnowski After a November back injury, Karnowski spent pretty much all of the 2015-16 season in street clothes on the bench ... which means he already has a year of coaching experience on his resume! (Thats totally how coaching works, right?) -- Brennan17. UCLA Bruins: Bryce Alford In the Kevin Bacon scheme of things, Alford is only one step removed from Bob Knight, a guy who knew a thing or two about coaching. And, of course, Alfords father, Steve, pretty much has made a lifetime on the basketball court. Granted, Steves run at UCLA hasnt been easy, partially complicated by coaching Bryce, but there again is another lesson for Bryce down the road. -- ONeil18. Maryland Terrapins: Melo Trimble Trimble returns to Maryland as one of the best players in the country. Few competitors can match his ability to slash and score. But this is a season that will force Trimble to play a more vocal role in the locker room. Thats not something hes had to do in recent years because he was surrounded by vocal leaders, such as Rasheed Sulaimon and Robert Carter. Thats the only missing component for a potential future coach and young man who has managed talented rosters, on the court, throughout his career at Maryland. A more assertive Trimble could mature into a great coach one day. -- Medcalf19. Saint Marys Gaels: Emmett Naar Naar is by far the most important player on the Gaels roster. He already sees the game on a different level than most as he led the team in scoring and assists last season. When a play needs to be made, Saint Marys turns to Naar to deliver. Those same leadership qualities would serve him well if he were the one in a suit and tie diagramming a play late in a close game. -- Brown20. Creighton Bluejays: Isaiah Zierden Has a great basketball mind, sees things others dont, knows how to manipulate the game. Plus, he is the son of a coach -- so he knows the life. -- Goodman21. Rhode Island Rams: E.C. Matthews Rhodys do-everything star guard would have been the obvious choice for this award last offseason, if only for his comprehensive -- and defense-oriented -- understanding of the game. After a season-ending injury in the 2015-16 opener, Matthews was forced to spend a year looking at, in his own words, a different side of things -- the coaching side.?-- Brennan22. Cincinnati Bearcats:?Troy Caupain In a lot of ways, the senior-to-be already has been a coach for the Bearcats. Through the turmoil of Mick Cronins illness and absence, Caupains steadying presence was part of the reason that Cincinnati soldiered on without missing so much as a beat. Caupains numbers have improved every year, his scoring and assists going up while the turnovers shrink backwards. -- ONeil23. Florida State Seminoles:?Xavier Rathan-Mayes Rathan-Mayes will return to a loaded Florida State squad that should rise in the ACC. His leadership will prove critical to the young roster. He boasts that rare combination of aggressiveness and selflessness. He averaged 11.8 PPG, a drop from the previous season, after freshmen stars Malik Beasley (15.8 PPG) and Dwayne Bacon (15.6 PPG) arrived last year. But he also finished 11th in assist rate in league play, per KenPom.com, and reduced his turnovers by nearly one per game from the previous season. Florida State adds elite prospect Jonathan Isaac this season. So Rathan-Mayes will again defer in some situations. He doesnt seem to mind. Every good coach needs that personality. -- Medcalf24.?Connecticut Huskies: Jalen Adams Sophomore guard Jalen Adams seems to be the kind of player who could emulate coach Kevin Ollies career. Adams may never lead the Huskies in scoring, but he has a knack for being in the right place. Need any proof, ask Daniel Hamilton. The two briefly argued over who should inbound the ball with 0.8 seconds trailing Cincinnati by three in triple overtime. Adams won the discussion, and promptly hit the buzzer-beating 3-pointer from 70 feet to force a fourth overtime. -- Brown25. Syracuse Orange: Matthew Moyer Im not sure Ive come across anyone as outgoing as Moyer -- the sweet-shooting wing who will be a freshman this season -- in a while. Moyer is unfazed going up to anyone, and thats a trait that is often a major asset in the coaching ranks. -- Goodman ' ' '