Winter meetings come to Vegas

In a city where poker players decide daily to go all-in or fold their hands, it's fitting that Major League Baseball's movers and shakers will engage in a high-stakes game of their own this week in Las Vegas as the city hosts baseball's annual winter meetings for the first time.

Close to 4,000 individuals -- including players, agents, top executives, field managers and general managers from all 30 big league teams -- are expected to attend the four-day event, which will take place today through Thursday at the opulent Bellagio.

Surefire Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, who grew up in Las Vegas and resides here, will take center stage today in an 11:30 a.m. news conference in the Bellagio Ballroom, where he's expected to announce his retirement.

Also today, the Baseball Hall of Fame Veteran's Committee will announce the results of its vote for the Class of 2009. Notable members of the post-1942 ballot include Joe Torre, Ron Santo, Dick Allen, Jim Kaat and Gil Hodges.

Baseball's Rule 5 Draft, which in the past has produced players such as Roberto Clemente, Johan Santana and Josh Hamilton, is scheduled for Thursday at the Bellagio, where awards ceremonies and additional news conferences also will take place.

But lucrative free-agent deals and blockbuster trades long have defined the winter meetings.

Pitcher CC Sabathia, the big left-hander who reportedly was offered a six-year, $140 million deal by the New York Yankees a few weeks ago, headlines this year's pool of more than 150 free agents, and sluggers Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez are at the top of the list as well.

But baseball's hot stove season has been slow to heat up this year, perhaps due to the current dire economic conditions, or maybe because a big name such as Sabathia has yet to sign, something that could result in a domino effect.

"The economy is definitely having an effect on us, so maybe our spending has slowed down a little bit," Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said in a recent interview. "We're being a little bit more tentative because we're not sure of how this economy is going to affect things."

With all of baseball's wheelers and dealers gathered under one roof over the next few days, though, rumors soon could become reality, and deals could get done behind closed doors at the Bellagio. Fewer free-agent signings also possibly could trigger more trades.

"I think the big guys are probably still going to get deals, but I don't know, it's a pretty shaky and scary economy right now," Ricciardi said.

Other starting pitchers up for grabs include A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, Ben Sheets, Brad Penny, Pedro Martinez, Andy Pettitte, Randy Johnson, John Smoltz and Oliver Perez.

Francisco Rodriguez tops the list of available closers, which includes Trevor Hoffman, Kerry Wood, Brian Fuentes and Brandon Lyon.

Other position players on the market include Rafael Furcal, Ken Griffey Jr., Joe Crede, Jason Varitek, Ivan Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu, Casey Blake, Milton Bradley, Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, Garrett Anderson and Rocco Baldelli.

Whether or not deals get done here this week, the winter meetings should help the economy in Las Vegas, generating an estimated nongaming economic impact of $6.3 million. 51s president Don Logan said he hopes the city can become a regular host for the event.

"This is the greatest place on the planet to have an event," Logan said. "There are more guys that I know who are bringing their wives here than ever before, because we have shopping, shows and spas."

For Logan, who played golf Sunday with San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers, the winter meetings provide a chance to renew relationships.

"The most important thing is to keep all your relationships alive and kicking and say hi to all the friends you've met through the years," he said. "You talk on the phone or e-mail, but (the meetings) might be the only time in the year you get to see them."

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.