It is hard to assess winners and losers in this season’s free agent market.  Nearly every team not opening a new stadium in the Bronx is battening down for more favorable economic winds.  With spending down $250 million from 2007, the Halcyon days of $60 million for Aaron Rowand seem remotely extravagant.

Yankees (Winners): The Yankees signed three of Keith Law’s top four free agents.  If Manny Ramirez keeps lingering without a contract, Boras could grant them all four.  There likely will be more hype for Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira than benefit from them, as those players still must replace Mussina, Pettitte (for now) and Jason Giambi.  However, the inertia of others magnifies the impact of the Yankees’ modest gains.  This winter’s signings pit them as definite AL East contenders.

Giants (Winners): I am on record against the Edgar Renteria signing.  However, Jeremy Affeldt and a bounce backing Bob Howry could solidify the Giants’ pen for little cost or commitment.  Sabean also stole Randy Johnson from their division rivals, at a sensible cost.  San Francisco, as projected, possibly improves to 85 wins.  That could be more if they sign a decent second baseman and add Manny Ramirez or the more likely Adam Dunn into the outfield.  In a division where the other four teams will likely be worse, the Giants’ improvements could bring them a Bonds-less October.

Dodgers (Losers): Frank McCourt, unlike his compatriots, has spent this off-season.  Unfortunately, it has been in maintenance, not improvement.  The Dodgers paid $47.5 million to retain Rafael Furcal and Casey Blake.  Furcal is a good player, though no sure bet because of injuries, and almost certainly not last year’s 36-game Dynamo.  Casey Blake has finished in the top ten in the league in four categories, strikeouts, sacrifices, caught stealings and grounded into double plays.  The Dodgers will lose Derek Lowe, relying on Jason Schmidt to replace him, and probably lose Manny Ramirez as well.   Where some wise spending could cement their NL West leader status, the Dodgers have, at best, sputtered.  An early prediction: We eventually see Trot Nixon in Dodger Blue.

Phillies (Losers): Philadelphia won the World Series, but appear content rather than raring to improve.  The sentimental two-year $13 million deal for 46-year-old Jamie Moyer seems foolish.  Letting Pat Burrell walk for Raul Ibanez who is an equally inept fielder, five years older and distinctly less powerful while not saving any money seems insane.  With bullpen additions and a presumably supplemented rotation the Mets may now be the NL East favorites.