The GM meetings aren't that as sexy as the winter meetings, but there are some interesting storylines.

If ever there's an event which can be labeled "Much Ado About Nothing", it's the annual General Managers meetings, held a month before the sexier, more interesting Winter Meetings.

The object of this get together of the thirty men that run Major League franchises is to lay the foundations for future deals that usually come to fruition in the first week in December. And it's also a time to have preliminary meetings with the representatives of free agents. Really, not much gets done, although as I write this, two veteran pitchers have already re-upped for another season: Greg Maddux with the Padres and Curt Schilling with the Red Sox. And the Astros and Phillies put together a five-player trade with former closer Brad Lidge being the biggest name involved.

Also lurking around the G.M. meetings and casting an ominous shadow is Scott Boras, agent of Alex Rodriguez, who is trying to find a team willing to spend at least $30 million a season for the services of his superstar client. I guess Boras has forgotten that $252 million dollar deal that A-Rod recently opted out of was vastly overpriced in the first place.

But two more important issues are getting a lot of play this week. The Mitchell report on the use of performance-enhancing drugs is due to be released by the end of the year and some names are starting to be leaked, including former All-Star Matt Williams and current Mariners outfielder Jose Guillen. No need to get into the particulars as much will be written at a later date when the report is finally tabled and the innuendo finally ceases. More importantly, in regards to the current state of the game, is that the General Managers passed a vote by 25-5 to pursue the use of instant replay in the near future.

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It's not yet known whether instant replay will be less or more stressful to Jays' manager John Gibbons. (Getty)
Now before everyone gets their knickers in a knot, thinking that the game is plodding enough and surely doesn't need stopping play to constantly review close calls, know that what is being discussed is using replay to decide whether home runs are fair or foul, or whether or not a ball hit the top of the fence or carried over.

This non-binding recommendation on instant replay is now passed on to Commissioner Selig, never a fan of bringing this most traditional of games any closer to the modern digital world that we currently inhabit. But the Commissioner, whose job is to look out for the best interests of the game - and that includes the fans - should be reading the correct pulse on this subject. In a recent ESPN.com poll, which asked the question, "Are you in favour of limited use of instant replay in MLB?", 69% said yes. Perhaps the people (ie: ticket buyers and consumers) have spoken?

THIS & THAT

Glad to see that former Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo has joined John McLaren's coaching staff in Seattle. Unfortunately, like Jimy Williams before him, some great third base coaches are better at passing on the signals than giving them...

Best line of the off-season to date? When asked if he signed his new two-year deal with the Blue Jays in Canadian dollars, New Brunswick native Matt Stairs chuckled, "I suppose I should have"...

Could there be a better match with the Dodgers than Joe Torre? Not that the L.A. media is exactly rabid, but his constant dealing with the New York writers has made him a cool customer and should bode well on the laid-back West Coast...

Speaking of Torre, I don't think the Yankees front office realized just how tight their ex-manager was with his players. Roger Clemens looks like he's finally retired with Andy Pettitte leaning that way by the day. There's a good chance that Jorge Posada might move across town for big time Mets' money. Only closer Mariano Rivera looks like he's a clinch to re-sign...

You sure realize that there's not a dearth of great pitching on the free agent market when a middle of the rotation veteran like Carlos Silva will probably land a contract somewhere north of five years and $50 million. I guess no one is paying attention to the fact that Silva has given up 177 more hits than innings pitched over his six Major League seasons...

I really don't think that Jays' General Manager J.P. Ricciardi can lose no matter what he decides to do with A.J. Burnett. With the enigmatic right-hander likely to exercise his opt-out clause after the 2008 season, Ricciardi could make a pre-emptive strike and deal him away this off-season for a combination of starters and prospects, or keep him, let him walk and get a couple of first rounders in '09...

Don't be shocked if former Braves' executive - and current Nationals President Stan Kasten - doesn't bag all-World centre fielder Andruw Jones...

It sure seems to me that after watching the successes around baseball last season involving young players (see Joba Chamberlain, Troy Tulowitzki, Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin McGowan) signing middle age players to bloated contracts finally appears to be on the way out...

Looks like Pat Gillick was up to his old tricks this week by prying closer Brad Lidge away from the Astros for three players that weren't in the Phillies everyday or long-term plans. This will allow them to move Brett Myers back into the rotation, and making the team stronger in two spots...