The Dodgers gave slap-hitting leadoff man Juan Pierre a five-year, $44 million deal. Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

4. That's not the worst signing, is it?

Well, it's close. Really close. Nobody much liked the Juan Pierre deal, either, even though he's finished in the top two in steals in each of the past six NL seasons. He's a slappy hitter who doesn't walk. Of course, with his lack of power, it's no wonder he doesn't walk. Pitchers simply refuse to pitch around him, so he ends up getting himself out. Yet the Dodgers gave him $44 million over five years for the same reason the Angels went nuts over Matthews: They needed him. Badly.

Outside of those two signings, Frank Thomas (two years, $18 million-plus by Toronto) is a huge gamble, for all the obvious reasons. And I think the Astros will regret giving $100 million to Carlos Lee five years down the road -- though he could be worth the money in the next two or three.

5. So what's wrong with Dave Roberts?

There's a guy who can play center and is coming off a decent year, too. The fact that he's dropped back in line after Pierre and Matthews is a little strange. According to reports out of the Bay Area, Roberts is probably going to get a three-year deal at around $15 million from the Giants.

Roberts' biggest drawback, of course, is his age. He'll be 35 in May. He can still run (49 stolen bases in 2006), though, and he has a better career on-base percentage than Matthews. His OBP is better than Pierre's in the past two years. To me, giving Roberts a three- or four-year deal at half the price of those other guys makes a lot more sense.

6. OK, so has anyone made any decent signings?

My top three, which combine a decent length at a decent price (decency, of course, being a matter of perspective):

• Nomar Garciaparra carries a lot of injury worries, but he is a heck of an offensive force when healthy. The Dodgers thought the risk of bringing him back for two years, and $18.5 million, was worth it. He's only 34. He's not ready for the pasture yet.

• Alex Gonzalez can't hit much, but he's good defensively, and that's what the Reds need in their infield. General manager Wayne Krivsky shelled out $14 million over three years for him, a nice chunk of money for that franchise. But when a team can get a starting shortstop in this market for under $5 million a year, that's a good deal.

• Lastly, Sean Casey, one year, $4 million to re-sign with the Tigers? What's not to like?