The 2009-10 off-season has been a rather dry market. There have been very few heads popping headlines, other than the expected Roy Halladay trade, the re-signing of Matt Holliday and John Lackey joining Red Sox Nation.

So will the 2010-11 off-season give us more stories?

There are a few more bigger names becoming free agents, but how many will test the open market or be traded by the mid-season trade deadline? Let’s take a look at some of these teams and how their paths could play out:

• Joe Mauer: Maybe one of the biggest names on the market after a 2009 MVP season. Mauer is sure to land a gigantic deal, that is, unless he remains a Twin. Minnesota is his hometown. I expect Mauer to take a hometown discount and stay with the Twins longterm, even if it means passing up on a extra $50-70 million if he took offers from the Red Sox or Yankees.
• Carl Crawford: Crawford has a lot of years left in his career and at age 28 may just be hitting his prime. With many years of MLB service left, he most likely will not remain with the small market Tampa Bay Rays. As Brett Rosin wrote, I would look for Crawford to be traded before the trade deadline, as the Rays cannot afford to lose him for nothing and center field prospect Desmond Jennings is right around the corner.
• Jayson Werth: After signing a sub-par contract with the Phillies two years ago, Werth is due for a big payday after the 2010 season. His back to back seasons of 24 and 36 home runs and two seasons of 20 stolen bases, with the addition of his good fielding ability is more than enough to land him a long term deal. But the Phillies have expensive contracts invested in several other positions, such as with Utley, Howard and Halladay. Werth will most likely test the open market and find himself a suitor for a contract somewhere between what Jayson Bay and Matt Holliday were given this season.
• Victor Martinez: If Mauer remains a Twin as expected, Martinez becomes the biggest name catcher on the market next season. The only way I see Martinez leaving the Red Sox is if Mauer does test the open market. In this case, the Yankees and Red Sox battle out for Mauer, with the loser landing Martinez. Not a horrible consolation prize.
• Carlos Pena: Back to the small market Rays. When Pena began hitting his stride a couple years ago, it was expected he would land a big contract. The same could happen next off-season, but I expect Pena will remain with the Rays. I also don’t see a scenario where Pena gets traded, as the Rays owe him a $750,000 if traded after the 2009 season.
• Derek Jeter: I don’t see any way Jeter leaves New York. He started his career in pin-stripes and should retire in pin-stripes.

There are a few other big names on the market next season, including Josh Beckett, Cliff Lee and Ted Lilly. Beckett and Lee should each receive long term contacts and so could Lilly, barring any setbacks in his return from surgery following the 2009 season.