As we all know, free agency has been going on for a little while now and the arbitration deadline is today (Saturday) at midnight. As a result, a number of players are going to suddenly be shed by their current teams and discarded into the free agent pool. Some players that have already been let go include: Garrett Atkins (Colorado), and Kelly Johnson (Atlanta). Keeping in mind a modest budget, who do you think Toronto should go after, either through trade or free agency? I have my own suggest after the jump.

You say you got a real solution
Well you know
we'd all love to see the plan
- John Lennon

Well, in this case you be the General Manager.

It's not brain surgery, right? We apply a few sabermetric principles, add in $100 million dollars of Ted's money and PRESTO! A 90 win team! Wham, bam, next case.

For today's assignment, you get to be the Yankee manager in the World Series.  It will be October then, so pretending to be the leader of an Evil Empire should be a piece of cake.

When you add his 22 minor league innings to his 137.3 major league innings, one realizes that Dustin McGowan has pitched 159.3 innings this season. His career high is 153 in 2003. Since then he’s thrown 31 (2004), 101.3 (2005) and 111.3 (2006). The Jays management team currently is weighing the risk of overworking his arm and a potential injury against preparing McGowan for a full season in the rotation next year and, hopefully, a September pennant race.

This time you get to be a casting director, instead of a manager.

We have a simple All-Star break challenge for you today.  You are the general manager of the Blue Jays, and you can make as many roster moves as you like.  You have no viable trading partners, and there are no useful waiver wire acquisitions, so any moves must come from within the organization.  Otherwise, there are no limits.  If you want, you can have a six man or even a five man bullpen.  Here would be my moves:

1. DFA Phillips, call up Thigpen.
2. DFA Clayton, call up Olmedo
3. Option Wolfe and DeJong to Syracuse, call up Lee Gronkiewicz and Brandon League

What would yours be?

Nope, it's not a lead-in for a sunburn remedy ad.  Today, you are the General Manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and you have a pleasant problem.  You've got the following position players at or near the major league level for 2007: Iwamura, Longoria, Brignac, Zobrist, Guzman, Cantu,  Baldelli, Crawford, Young, Dukes, Gomes.  Who do you want to be in your every day lineup as of the All-Star break in 2007, and at what positions, and who do you want to move (for pitching)?

...not coffee, but left-field choice for the Tigers in Game 4 against Jeff Suppan.  So suggests Nate Silver.  According to the plan, a struggling Curtis Granderson would sit and Craig Monroe would move to centerfield.  For the second time this season, you get to step into Jim Leyland's shoes.  Which way would you go?

Jim Leyland's decision to bat Neifi Perez second in the lineup last night caused more than a few eyebrows to be raised. So, for today, pretend that you are Jim Leyland and you're going home with a 2-0 lead to face Rich Harden. What is your batting order for Game 3?

And, for bonus points and the Schizophrenic Manager (is there any other kind?) Award, pretend that you are Ken Macha and tell me your batting order to face Kenny Rogers in Game 3?

Today on ESPN.com, Jim Caple -- one of the top five baseball writers alive today -- has a story on "Page 2" that encourages the Yankees to trade, not Alex Rodriguez, but Derek Jeter. Of course, this will never happen, but as always, Caple makes good sense.

Anyway, here's the question ... don't be the manager, be the General Manager, of any team -- your choice! -- except the Yankees. Make an offer for Jeter, your (likely) 2006 American League MVP. And be for real -- who needs a shortstop, can afford Jeter's contract, and has enough to offer?

Wouldn't it be nice to be in a weak division, and have a young and talented team with a strong farm system? It can be yours for today. You are the General Manager of the Diamondbacks. The World Series of 2006 has just been completed (the Tigers blew away the Mets in 5 games in case you are interested), and you must plan for 2007 and beyond. Here's how Win Shares sees your club, and here are the financial details. You have just added Livan Hernandez and his $7 million salary for 2007. So, what would be your plan? Your team's 2006 payroll was $60 million, and with the success of the club, you can assume that the payroll budget for 2007 will be bumped to $70 million. If you feel the inclination to dip into the free agent pool, here is a list of possible free agents.

If you weren't here this morning, please read Part 1 and Part 2. So, let's set the scene again. Hudson on first, 1 out, Snakes up 7-6 in the top of the eighth. Flores on the mound and the pitching spot up for the Snakes. You wait for the Snakes to announce a pinch-hitter, Damion Easley, and then bring in Braden Looper. You've got Toguchi and backup catcher Bennett on the bench and decide to eschew the double switch even though your pitching spot is up second in the bottom of the eighth. Looper gets out of the top of the eighth without any damage being done.

If you're new to this round of "You Be the Manager", please read Part 1. You brought in Brian Falkenborg to face Counsell. He's hitting in the 6 slot, and John Rodriguez comes in for Encarnacion with Bigbie moving to right and hits in the 9 slot. Counsell hits a sac fly, but Falkenborg escapes without any further damage. Rodriguez rewards your sagacity by plastering a 2 out tater, Eckstein follows with a walk and then Luna grounds out to short on a close play. Alas, he pulls a hammy in the process and has to leave the game and is replaced by Aaron Miles. The score is tied 5-5 after 4 innings.

Ever fantasized about being Tony LaRussa?  You haven't?  I cannot imagine why not. And today is your lucky day, because not only do you get to be that masculine god, but you get to manage National League style.  We're going to do this one in 3 parts, with questions every few hours. We'll start with a relatively easy one.

Juggling a pitching rotation and constructing lineups are, some might say, the key managerial decisions. Newcomer Bruce Wrigley puts the pencil in your hand with this pinch-hit. Thanks, Bruce, and take it away.