It might not be the craziest of free agent classes, but this year's group does have some key names to consider throughout the Winter Meetings in California. 

1. Zach Greinke (LA Angels): Greinke is in the nice position of being the best pitcher in a free agent market that always pays its pitchers well. Greinke spent last season with the Angels after coming over from the Brewers, and while he still may return to Los Angeles, there will be plenty of suitors. One popular suggestion is the Angels AL West rival, the Texas Rangers, who would love to grab Greinke after the Angels practically signed C.J Wilson right out from under their hands last winter. 


2. Anibal Sanchez (Detroit Tigers): Sanchez enjoyed happy days in Detroit (especially in the playoffs) and will be looking to turn it into an expensive long-term contract (possibly 6 yrs, $90m?) We're not sure if the Tigers will bite on that deal, already paying ace Justin Verlander $16m per season. If Detroit isn't willing to pay, two teams desperate for pitching help like the Blue Jays and Dodgers just might. 


3. Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers): After turning his life around in Texas and putting up great numbers while doing so, Hamilton wants a long-term contract that the Rangers aren't quite keen in giving him. It is said the Rangers might prefer to give him a three year deal while Hamilton wants something around six or seven years. A team like the Seattle Mariners with a lot of money to spend and a desire for offense just might be what Hamilton is looking for. 


4. Edwin Jackson (Washington Nationals): Jackson seems to switch teams every year, which is why we think he might not be signing a long-term deal anywhere soon. If a team loses out on Greinke, they will set their sights on Jackson. This makes us think Toronto might fancy Jackson, as they tend not to go after the bigger names in the market. 


5. Kyle Lohse (St. Louis Cardinals): Another underestimated name in the free agent pool, Kyle Lohse put up good numbers a season ago and his value certainly climbed. We believe however, if the Cardinals are willing to meet his salary demands, he will stay in St. Louis where his play has been quite stellar. (Cont. "Baseball')

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If there were any doubts European Ryder Cuper Ian Poulter would continue his strong play from Medinah CC throughout the rest of the season, they were put to rest at the WGC-HSBC Champions event in China. Poulter, who not only came from 4 shots behind, had to hold off big names such as Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Jason Dufner, and Louis Oosthuizen to get the victory. It was Poulter's second straight 65, including a massive up and down at the last to secure his second WGC title. For Oosthuizen, this will be the third time he has lead going into the final round of a tournament this season and failed to convert. He suffered similar fates at the Deutsche Bank Championship in September, and the Shell Houston Open way back in the spring. Poulter will be relieved to maybe put to bed some of the doubts that he only shows up in match-play events and that he finally got it done in a stroke play event with a big time field. "It's just so nice to get my hands on another trophy," Poulter said.

The Islanders will announce that they are in fact moving to the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York after the 2014-2015 season. Islanders owner Charles Wang has been labouring for a new arena deal in Long Island for years, but a deal had never come together. This is good news for the team and the NHL as well. Now all we have to do is hope that the NHL will be back on and playing by then so we can see the Isles in action in their new arena. “The intimacy of this building is going to make watching hockey a terrific experience,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday, referring to Barclays.