I'm beginning to realize that it is most difficult to predict acquisitions in the free agent market.

Yes, I'm playing the MLB.com's Free Agent Frenzy contest, where they have listed 15 free agents and I had to predict where they would eventually sign.

The deadline to get your picks in was Nov. 14 and since that date only three have found homes. I have correctly predicted 0 thus far.

Frank Thomas, I figured, found a home last year and would stay with the A's. Wrong. I was surprised to see him sign with AL East competition Toronto. He seems a bit out of place there.

Alfonzo Soriano I had positioned in Philadelphia. Now, I realize I was taking a bit of a risk, but I certainly did not see him getting an eight-year/17-million-dollar contract with the Cubs. Traditionally speaking Chicago has not shown players the money, though this year is most definitely different.

Nomar Garciaparra. Now, here I thought I knew my stuff. Surely he would stay with the Dodgers. But little did I realize that I had picked the Los Angeles Angels. I hate it their new name. They will forever be Anaheim to me. So even though I correctly picked it, I was wrong. My mistake I guess.

Officially I'm batting .000.

The rest of my questionable picks:

1. Matsuzaka to the Red Sox: This should be a done deal (5-years, another $50 million)

2. Carlos Lee to Houston: Looks like a number of teams will want his services, though Houston is still in the hunt.

3. Ray Durham to Giants: Where else is he to go, certainly not to Boston

4. Barry Bonds to Oakland: Looks like this may not happen, probably end up in S.F.

5. Ted Lilly to Toronto: This market is quite different than I expected. Lilly would love to go to Yankees, but other teams have expressed interest

6. Julio Lugo to Boston: Cubs look like they would like to get involved; Damn that Piniella.

7. Greg Maddux to Dodgers: Again, looks like the Cubs would like to get involved, though the big ballpark would probably serve Maddux better.

8.) Gary Matthews to Cubs: Since they've signed Soriano, Matthews is certain to go elsewhere (Anaheim)

9.) Andy Pettitte to Houston: He could iretire, go to the Yankees or stay right in Houston. Who knows?

10.) Juan Pierre to Dodgers: This is all but done (Yea! One right!)

11.) Jason Schmidt to Seattle: No one wants to be the first to sign a pitcher

12.) Barry Zito to Mets: (see No. 11)

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