Report #3 - Winter Meetings Trade Show

Monday, 8:25pm (Las Vegas) As the day turned into evening at the first day of the MLB winter meetings, one thing has become very clear: the market is soft. While Frank Robinson, Bobby Cox, Ned Colletti, and Bill James talked in the hallway in front of the elevators, it was becoming adimatly clear that this FA market will be far different than years past.A good example was Francisco Rodriguez. As he was trudging through the Bellagio's cramped lobby, saying that he was open to all offers after being offered a deal far under what he is looked for (F-Rod is looking for 5/$75 million while the Mets have reportedly offered 2/$25 millionwith a third option year), and other deals were no more than rumored whispers, many turned their focus off the strip to the opening night of the Trade Show.The massive Las Vegas Convention Center was packed with everyone from Rawlings, to HOK, to New Era, to Sam Bats, to Sports Management Worldwide. Hundreds of exhibitors filled the massive venus. Pat O...