After a postseason that perked my interest less than any postseason I can remember, I am happy to announce the official beginning of the offseason.  Tomorrow players are eligible to file for free agency.  Teams will have exclusive negotiation rights to their free agents until the 19th.  The General Manager Meetings (not to be confused with the Winter Meetings) start Monday.

The Seattle Mariners made a move today, claiming RHP Yusmeiro Petit off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Petit is a nice free pickup, but don’t get too excited.  After all, the Diamondbacks gave up on the 24 year old.  He has lackluster stuff that is aided by a deceptive delivery, but has had a few flashes of brilliance in his young career.  Petit adds to Seattle’s back of the rotation and middle relief depth, but perhaps Seattle’s coaching staff believes he can be groomed into the middle of the rotation arm he was thought to be as one of baseball’s top rated prospects a few years back.  I’m not holding my breath, and chances are the Mariners will be trying to shove him through waivers again right before the regular season.