This year’s World Baseball Classic seems to have a completely different atmosphere among Team USA. The team has a serious attitude for one, and they are no longer looking at it like an unimportant warm up to the season. The players are pumped and it showed in this opening round game that came down to the wire.

Team USA used some serious power, and a great bullpen performance to hold off Canada for the win. Brian McCann, Adam Dunn, and Kevin Youkilis each homered for the Americans, and each was special in some way.

Things did not start out as great as Team USA might have liked, however. They trailed after Team USA starter Jake Peavy allowed a huge, towering home run to Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto to put the Canadians ahead 2-1. At this point, the Americans probably felt like they might be in for another run for their money. Still, Team USA used the bullpen to help control a better than expected Canadian lineup the rest of the way. They gave up only five hits over the final five innings.

The ninth inning was really exciting as the Americans closer JJ Putz first gave up an RBI double to Votto. This closed the Canadians to 6-5 and raised the excitement level there in Toronto to a fever pitch. With Votto primed to score the tying run, Putz then settled in and retired Justin Morneau and Jason Bay in succession for the win. That was no small feat as both of these players are all stars and tough outs for sure.

Team USA is sure to be looking to win some games in an easier fashion, but they will certainly take them any way they can get them. The World Baseball Classic is a seriously competitive tournament that pits the best in the world against one another. The Americans have a personal stake in the tournament, however, since baseball is considered a National Past time. Hopefully, Team USA can bring home the title this year.

Next up for Team USA is Sunday at 8 pm ET against the winner between Italy and Venezuela. Team Canada plays the loser of that game on Monday.

Abreu is amazingly consistant and has been throughout his 13 year career. Though his age is cause for concern on some levels, he does not appear to be slowing down as much as many do at his age. A steady source of power and average throughout his career, Abreu should fit in quite nicely with the existing Angel batting lineup. He is also a steady run producer and scorer as his 100+ in each category over the last two years demonstrate.

Abreu was seeking a longer term deal, but maybe the opportunity to go to a very talented Angels squad changed his mind. It also probably was due to the huge number of veteran left handers still on the market. With names out there like Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr, and Frank Thomas, the market changed quickly.

Abreu enjoyed a number of fine seasons in Houston and is known for being a good locker room player. That is, he is a player that works hard, gets along with the others, and helps out the younger players throughout the year. That type of influence in Los Angeles is sure to be a welcome addition. A team can never have enough veterans around, and especially if they are still highly productive like Abreu.

Abreu spent last season with the New York Yankees, and had a pretty solid season. He hit 20 home runs, and had 100 RBIs as well as scoring 100+ runs. What is truly amazing is that even at the ripe age of 35 Abreu still managed to steal 22 bases. That is no fluke either as Abreu is always in excess of 20 SBs. If he can maintain that pace for the Angels, that will surely help out some of the bats in the Angel lineup.

Abreu will certainly be missed in New York and it is a bit of a puzzle why they did not resign him. The Yankees have a history of signing aging superstars, however, and letting them move on after a year or two. That said, the Angels are surely glad to have him on board with their team. It looks as though the Angels might just be a pretty strong contender if the pitching holds out.

It is easy to see why the Nationals would sign the burly slugger. He has hit over 40 home runs in each of the past five years, and regularly is in the 100+ RBI column. What is a bit puzzling, however, is why Dunn would go to the Nationals. Washington has been a bit of a black hole for stars since they came into the league, and Dunn surely had opportunities to go to a contender.

Dunn was rumored to be talking with the Braves, Yankees, Mets, Phillies, and even his hometown Reds among several others. All of these teams are on the upswing, or are expected to contend for the playoffs. The only reason Dunn could have signed with the Nationals was because they were the only ones offering that type of money. It seems a particular shame that Dunn toiled all those years with the struggling Reds, only to leave during the season that many are picking them to break out.

Regardless, Dunn will make the Nationals a much better team. The down side of Dunn’s game, strikeouts and average, are probably going to remain the same. The power numbers are about as consistant as you could ask for from a slugging first basemen/outfield type player. The Nationals need runs scored. They always have. Dunn is exactly that. A run producing player. Now if the Nationals can find a way to get on base for his big bat, they will be a much more competitive squad.

Dunn will likely settle into the outfield somewhere, though they have some young talent out there. The odd man out may end up being Nick Johnson at first base. It really just depends with the Nationals. They really can not afford to take out the potential of Johnson’s bat from an already anemic offense. It will be interesting to see where they put Dunn when the season gets started.

Elijah Dukes, Josh Willingham, and Lastings Milledge are listed on the depth chart in the outfield spots. Each of these young outfielders have some batting potential, but none are on a par with Dunn. I would expect that if the Nationals put Dunn in the outfield, Willingham will be the man to sit. That said, there are a number of options for the Nationals, including more trades or signings. This will be an interesting spring in Washington for the first time in years.

Manny Ramirez – Though Manny certainly infused the Dodgers with an incredible offensive explosion after coming over from Boston late in the season, he has already begun to wear out his welcome in Los Angeles with fans. The fans fell in love with Manny, and Manny with the Dodgers. Then Manny got the chance to chase the money, and now he is floundering around rather than doing the right thing and resigning with the Dodgers. Many disagree, but Manny seems to tick off every team he comes into contact with eventually. Still, he is the best free agent out there by a country mile as far as talent.

Adam Dunn – Dunn is a bit of an enigma. Nobody seems to know why he has not been signed yet, though I suspect it has to do with the money. Dunn has hit more than forty homers a year for a very long time and shows no signs of slowing down. Somebody should sign this guy quickly, as I would not want him on a division rivals team as a coach.

Orlando Hudson – Hudson is a very good second basemen that is simply trying to get the best money for the years he has left. He will almost certainly be a great signing for someone, and will be a great addition to any team he ends up with.

Bobby Abreu – Abreu is one of those players that seems to never slow down in spite of his age. Though he is entering the latter years of his career, he still produces in every category and would make a great addition to most any team. Expect Abreu to be signed in the next month, and he should make his usual strong impact on the team lucky enough to sign him.

Ben Sheets – Sheets is probably the best starting pitcher still available on the free agent market, though his inconsistency is a bit of a drawback. Still, he has top level stuff, and you get the feeling his best is still ahead of him. The dollars run high for his services, and taking a chance on Sheets will not come cheap. Sheets has something to prove to command the type of money that he is trying to get.

Though many other big names are on the free agent list such as Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, and others, these are the best available free agents left. As spring training looms ever closer, expect a flurry of signings over the next month.

Some potential fits around the league that make sense would be Cincinnati, or maybe even over in the American League. It is really hard to say, because Jones has been so bad. In the offseason, he has trimmed down his weight, and seems to be making a push to get back in playing shape. When Jones was at his best, he was among the top centerfielders in the league. What happened with Jones is not entirely clear, though injuries certainly played a part.

In Cincinnati, they are looking for a power hitting outfielder that is a righty to sandwich between Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. The two lefties would certainly benefit from a strong bat in between them as far as match ups are concerned. The problems is, Jones has not shown much of a glimmer of the player he once was. The price tag for Jones is likely to be high for the risk, so even the Reds may not take an interest. They do have a sincere need, however, and the free agent market is drying up fast in this category. There are simply very few options left in the power hitting righty category. Some rumblings have said that Adam Dunn may even return to Cincy, but that would make little sense given that he is also a lefty.

It is a shame that Jones has fallen so far so fast. Maybe this year he will hook up with a team and find that sweet swing that he has shown in years past. With a natural talent like his, it is not out of the realm of possibility that he could make a comeback. One thing is for sure, however. It will not be with the Dodgers. The Dodgers have already filled his roster spot by signing Guillermo Mota. This puts the writing on the wall for Jones in Los Angeles. There is still an outside chance that he will be traded, but that is looking less and less likely each day.

Many experts in the industry believe that Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi’s comments last summer about Dunn’s supposed lack of motivation have stuck as fact with many front offices. Throughout the process, Dunn has stayed composed and said he just wants a fair contract.

Last week, Dunn said his first preference was to play for the Cubs and Jim Hendry confirmed that his team had interest in the slugger. On Monday, the Dodgers and general manager Ned Colletti said they were interested in Dunn. A source close to Dunn said that he would choose the Dodgers over any other offer.

Of course, the Dodger’s sudden interest in Dunn could be a move to leverage a smaller contract out of Manny Ramirez. Ramirez is well aware that should the Dodgers sign Dunn, his market would almost completely evaporate. Colletti made a point to say that the team was interested in Dunn and Bobby Abreu as well as Ramirez.

Whatever the Dodgers’ motivations, the market for Dunn has suddenly sprung to life. Late Monday, word from Tampa Bay was that the Rays were considering offers to Dunn and slugger Pat Burrell to become their new designated hitter.

So it appears, despite the best efforts of leaders within the industry, that Adam Dunn will get a multiyear contract after all.

Where he eventually signs is up in the air. The Cubs are an excellent fit. Dunn can roam left field for a year until Derrick Lee’s contract expires, when he can move over to first base. The Cubs have long needed a left handed bat and someone who can get on base. Dunn would slot in nicely in the fourth or fifth spot in the order. We say the Cubs remain the favorite to sign Dunn.

The Dodgers aren’t as good a match. They have one open spot in the outfield if they bypass Ramirez, but first base is essentially blocked by James Loney. Dunn profiles best as a firstbaseman, especially as he enters his thirties.

Teams that have yet to express interest but would be good fits for Dunn include the San Francisco Giants, the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals. The Nats, with Dunn’s former general manager Jim Bowden, could desperately use a power bat like Dunn’s. The question is; will the Nationals’ ownership spend the money to make it happen.

At any rate, the market for Dunn is taking shape and the big man can be expected to sign by mid-January.