Things are heating up in the Hot Stove!!! As I take a look at ESPN.com’s Free Agent Tracker, I see that a grand total of five players have signed. So there’s still a couple of hundred left to go.

Doug Brocail was the first to sign, when he inked a deal with his old team, the Rangers. I remember Brocail throwing in Detroit, and he had a mighty fine 2004 season. I’d pay a million for a replica next year.

Then the Giants somehow managed to increase their average age, Brian Sabean’s true goal, by signing Omar Vizquel. The former gold glover must have the dirt on the Giant’s GM, because he finagled a three year deal. Mr. Perricone over at OBM has a nice little analysis.

Cory Lidle re-signed with the Phillies. Nothing too earth shattering there.

Then the Montreal/Washington Expos/Senators/Nationals made a splash by signing the overrated Vinny Castilla (read why over at RWBB) and should be gold glover Christian Guzman. Guzman signed the richest deal of the offseason, 4 years, 16.8 million. Not too shabby for a slap hitting, slick fielding shortstop. I question the Castilla move, but the Giants probably would have been way better off getting Guzman at that price. And it also might force Barry Larkin’s hand and send him into retirement.

Rumor has it that Pedro Martinez is waiting to sign with the Reds until they finalize the deal that would bring Randy Johnson to Cincinnati. Or maybe I’m just dreaming like those guys in the Dish Planet commercials.

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