(New) Homes for the Holidays

December is just around the corner and by "just around the corner" I mean three days away. That means the winter meetings in Major League Baseball are not that far behind. This usually means an increase in player signings and trades. Every fan has her wish list for her favorite team. And this year, there are a number of big names that could be on the move just in time for the Christmas season. And I am no different.

Here is what I would like to see:

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1. David Ortiz rejoins the Boston Red Sox.
2. The Red Sox still await compensation from the Cubs. Theo Epstein was big on Adrian Gonzalez. Why not package a deal together and send Matt Garza and some prospects to Boston for A-Gon? Chicago would get a long-term, productive first baseman and Boston would get a desperately needed starting pitcher.
3. With A-Gon all gone, Boston would need a replacement first baseman. In steps free agent Prince Fielder. With the lesser contract of Garza, the Red Sox would have money to spend. A five-year deal would make a little more sense, with options for years six and seven.
4. With no closer, the Red Sox would also sign Ryan Madson. Madson immediately jumps into the closer role or could take over the set-up role while Bard inherits his throne.
5. With Scutaro already re-signed and Lowrie injury-prone, the Red Sox should look to sure up the position. The sexy pick would be Jose Reyes. Reyes would demand a big contract, something new GM Ben Cherington seemingly wants to avoid, especially if he ships A-Gon to Chi-town and forks over the money for Fielder. But one area of a player that Boston’s computers can’t measure is character. With Reyes and Fielder joining Papi, Ellsbury, and The Laser Show, that Red Sox clubhouse just might police themselves.
6. But just in case they don’t, expect John Farrell to keep the reins tight as I would expect to see him as the new Red Sox skipper as Daisuke Matsusaka waives his no-trade clause to hide in the less-media hectic confines of Toronto.
7. The Red Sox would then fill out the rotation with a low-risk, high-reward contract, perhaps to someone like Edwin Jackson, Aaron Harang or Rich Harden.
8. With no alternative, the Phillies re-sign Jimmy Rollins.
9. After hearing offers from several clubs, Mark Buehrle narrows it down to either Chicago or Miami. Does he stay where he’s been successful or join former manger Ozzie Guillen with the re-vamped Marlins? When its white sandy beaches vs. fond memories, Buehrle opts to take his talents to South Beach.
10. With millions of dollars offered at every corner, Pujols may be the most sought-after free agent in the history of baseball, now or ever. And he may be the most deserving player ever to receive a $100 million plus contract. But he hasn’t earned his baseball reputation just for his play, but for how he handles himself and how he respects the game. Pujols isn’t going anywhere and nor should he.

 (Is it obvious that I'm a Red Sox fan?)

I would like to see these happen. I would also like to see the bottom of the ocean first-hand, dance inside the crater of an erupting volcano (without being incinerated) and take a stroll on Pluto. But somethings just aren't meant to be. Therefore, here is what I envision will actually happen.

1. Boston re-signs David Ortiz.
2. Chicago Cubs sign Prince Fielder.
3. The Miami Marlins will look to make a splash in their new ballpark. They have reportedly made offers to Pujols, Reyes and Buehrle. Buehrle played for Ozzie in Chicago, and he opts to do so again. But that’s the biggest name Miami can entice.
4. Another team will be looking to make noise and show the league it wants to return to the playoffs. And new ownership will want to put fans in the seats. What better way to put fans in the seats than to win games? How do you win games? You add Joe Reyes to a lineup that already includes Andre Either and Matt Kemp.
5. Pujols (rightfully) returns to St. Louis.
6. With no other option, the Phillies re-sign Rollins.
7. Carlos Beltran gets nibbles from many teams, including the Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs. But no one offers more money than Washington and, therefore, Beltran becomes a National.
8. Aramis Ramirez signs a late off-season deal with the LA Angels.
9. The Yankees try to bolster the rotation by adding Edwin Jackson and Aaron Harang.
10. The Dodgers re-sign Hiroki Kuroda.
11. Carlos Pena signs with Milwaukee.
12. Ryan Madson signs with the Mets.
13. Houston reacquires Roy Oswalt.
14. Heath Bell remains in San Diego.
15. Josh Willingham signs with San Francisco.
16. Johnny Damon returns to Tampa Bay.
17. Coco Crisp signs with Minnesota.
18. David DeJesus signs with Detroit.
19. Michael Cuddyer signs with the White Sox.
20. Erik Bedard signs in Arizona.
21. J.D. Drew signs in Cincinnati.
22. Jason Kubel re-signs with Minnesota.
23. Boston tries to improve their rotation and sign starters Paul Maholm and Rich Harden while signing Andruw Jones to compliment Reddick. Also, Boston re-signs catcher/captain Jason Varitek and pitcher Tim Wakefield.
24. Philadelphia signs Frank Francisco.
25. Francisco Cordero signs with the Angels.
26. Francisco Rodriguez signs with Houston.
27. Kansas City re-signs Jeff Francis.
28. Pittsburgh signs Bartolo Colon and re-signs Ronny Cedeno.
29. Kelly Johnson signs with the Mariners.
30. Bobby Valentine becomes the manager of the Boston Red Sox.

In all likelihood, none of the above will happen. I wouldn't be surprised if Pujols retires and becomes the guitarist for Duran Duran, Fielder signs with the LA Galaxy, Reyes becomes a cosmonaut,  Ortiz a Yankee, and Barney the Dinosaur becomes the new manager of the Boston Red Sox. Baseball is unpredictable (see Cliff Lee's free agency last off-season). But I can't brag that I was right on even one of these picks if I don't make it official somehow. And what's the point of being a fan if you can't have an over-the-top celebration when you win?