We’re getting closer and closer to the winter meetings as I’m continuing my list of the top ten stories that should take us into the great December meetings.

7- Are the Tigers going to trade Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson? The cost cutting Tigers are supposedly shopping a couple of their better guys this off season, and both guys could be solid pieces to any puzzle, but do come with some risks. Granderson frankly had a pretty poor year last year and can’t hit lefties to save his life. He’s also got a decent contract to pay, but if you can get the Granderson of 2007-2008, it could be worth it. Edwin Jackson is a guy I would absolutely love to go after if I’m a GM. He was a highly touted prospect with a huge arm that can run it up to the triple digits. He took his lumps with Tampa Bay and the Dodgers, but Detroit really saw him make massive strides in learning how to pitch. He added a 2 seamer and figured out he didn’t have to throw 100 without knowing where it was going to get hitters out. His slider also made awesome strides and he’s still relatively young without huge mechanical red flags. I think Detroit would be making a huge mistake if they end up trading him, but if they can’t afford him down the round…might as well get as much as you can.

6- Let the Lackey Sweepstakes begin- John Lackey is the big name on the free agent market this winter, and will most likely seek a deal somewhere between Johan Santana’s (yea right) and AJ Burnett’s. Lackey is a guy who takes the mound with a fire and passion and bulldog like mentality and he’s got the stuff to back it up. He could be a legitimate ace for any team seeking an ace, but the question is…are teams willing to give him the money he wants? He does have a bit of a funky delivery that could explain his elbow and forearm issues. What I mean by that is, when you see the elbow come up above the shoulders getting into his power position, it could be access stress on the elbow and shoulder. So I think there’s definitely some risk here. I still think the Yankees are going to play coy with this one, and if they don’t get Halladay, they’ll make a serious run at Lackey especially if Andy Pettitte decides to leave.

5- Adrian Gonzalez to….who? Adrian Gonzo is a big time power hitting left handed first basemen who also plays the position at a gold glove level. He’s making under 7 million for the next two years so clearly, most teams would be willing to part ways with their better prospects to get him. There’s been rumors about him going to Boston and Chicago, and a couple other teams would make sense in terms of acquiring him, so I expect this to really pick up in a week or so even more than it does now. Who wouldn’t want this guy? He’s hitting 40 bombs in a pitchers park, can drive the baseball the other way with power, and has an outstanding plate vision. This could end up being a massive steal for anyone willing to part with their big time prospects.

Thanks for checking in- and come back to read my final analysis (4-1) of the winter meetings.