A quick recap for that majority of you who couldn't give a toss about baseball until springtime: as part of the collective bargaining agreement, MLB and the Players Association agree to let the Elias Sports Bureau use a formula to rank the free agents as either Type A, Type B and unclassified. If a team fails to re-sign a Type A player, they receive the first round pick of the team who does, and a supplemental pick on top of that. A Type B player is worth only a supplemental pick.

It's simple, but that's the only part of this sordid business that is. Elias defines a Type A player as within the top 20 percent at his position, and a Type B as within the next 20 percent. But where does this formula come from?

It's a tightly guarded secret, but much of it has leaked out over the years (Here's a good rundown). There's a ton of things wrong with the stats, but we'll highlight a few.

•Stolen bases aren't taken into account. That's the most glaring, since a player who can single, then steal second 95 percent of the time, is unquestionably valuable. That extra base is akin to a huge jump in slugging percentage. Which reminds us...
•Slugging percentage isn't taken into account either. If two players have identical averages, and one is a slap singles hitter and the other consistently doubles and triples, which is more valuable? According to Elias, they're equal.
•Defense doesn't matter for half the players. Fielding percentage doesn't factor in to the valuations for outfielders and first basemen. As if a cannon arm and great first step for a center fielder don't save as many runs as they do for a third baseman.
•Control doesn't matter for starting pitchers. While relievers have their hits per inning, and K/BB ratios factored in, there's nothing similar for starters.

It's ludicrous that Elias, home to more obscure stats than anyone else, doesn't even use now-common measures like OPS and WHIP in their valuations. (Though it's impossible to blame them; this was the formula agreed upon by baseball and the MLBPA.) This gives us major inconsistencies, like these chronicled at Lookout Landing:

Among the potential free agents, there are 26 Type A's, 52 Type B's, and 102 unranked. The average 08/09 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of the Type A's is 4.6. The average 08/09 WAR of the top 26 Type B's is 4.9.

The average 08/09 WAR of the bottom 26 Type B's is 1.5. The average 08/09 WAR of the top 26 unranked is 2.9.

21 unranked potential free agents posted a combined 08/09 WAR of 2+. Nine Type A's and 16 Type B's were below 2.

Guillermo Mota and David Weathers are Type B's despite posting WARs below zero.

Garret Anderson is a Type B despite being one of the least valuable players in the Major Leagues last year.

But the most egregious variable in the ratings is that they are determined by performance over the past two years. This minimizes breakout players, and ignores those who have broken down completely and suddenly.

Billy Wagner is a Type A; Joel Piniero is a Type B. Bengie Molina is a Type A; Carl Crawford is a Type B. Jason Kendall is worth compensation; Hideki Matsui is not. You get the idea.

Do I have a better plan? I do not. I am a blogger, and my job is to complain and not to be constructive. But something needs to be done, because this is a system that is good for no one.

The players lose because the added cost of losing a pick scares some bidders off, keeping offers lower. Half the teams lose because in order to qualify for compensatory picks, they have to offer arbitration to players they'd otherwise let go without a fuss. The other half lose because they have to surrender draft picks to sign players. So who does win?

Just like with the luxury tax, it's the teams that can't or won't spend money. Too cheap to hang on to your home grown superstars? No worries, they're a Type A and you'll receive another potential star just for being stingy. It's an incentive to break your fanbase's heart. You can almost picture Robert Nutting counting the draft picks for when he inevitably lets Andrew McCutchen go.

But, hey, once all the problems with steroids, TV revenue sharing, a salary cap, a salary floor, stadium financing, the USA's poor showings in the WBC, the lack of African-Americans in the game, verifying the ages of Latin American players, the MLB Network, and instant replay get sorted out, I'm sure baseball will get right on fixing this one.

•Between the NBA All-Star game and the Super Bowl, Dallas police are expecting six figures worth of prostitutes to flood the Metroplex. Thankfully, (tonyromo) the star athletes of the city (joshhamilton) would never (dirknowitzki) get involved with women of ill repute.

•Know the name Anze Kopitar yet? You probably should. The breakout Slovenian superstar led the Kings to a dominant victory over the Stanley Cup champions, announcing their legitimacy and teaching me that Slovenia is apparently a wholly separate country from Slovakia.

•Are the Cavs even a top three team in the east? They didn't look like it last night, falling to the Bulls. Tonight will be interesting, as they travel to New York where LeBron will see his future. (Whether that future is his team dominating opponents, or losing with the Knicks depends on your point of view.

•Baseball's hot stove league kicked off in earnest, with Jeremy Hermida going to Boston, Bobby Abreu staying in Anaheim, and Jason Bay and Matt Holliday making their intentions to blow town clear. For all those teams looking for a power bat in the outfield, let me remind you that Barry Bonds is still available.

•Here's a list of the top 10 sideline reporter bloopers. Your clear number one involves double penetration, and it's not even a Vikings sideline reporter!

•Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark is unlikely to play Monday night in Denver, because of a rare sickle-cell trait that makes exertion in high altitudes dangerous. Should the Broncos win, expect dome teams to pump a little oxygen out of their stadiums when the Steelers come to town.

•Finally, I would be remiss in shirking my duty as a conduit for your Yankee hatred. Here's a collection of celebration videos, capped off by the most touching: a man and his crazy West Indian mother.

There's a slew of big free agent names (none bigger than LeBron James) that threaten to completely change the League landscape in a couple of years.

Speaking of James, he finally decided to throw Cavs fans a bone yesterday, hinting at the possibility that might not only stay in town for a few more years, but also sign his contract extension well before 2010.

James said Saturday that he is going to consider signing an extension with the Cavaliers this summer, well before he can become an unrestricted free agent.

"You play out this season of course; I will consider it," James said Saturday before the Cavs practiced at the Pepsi Center. "The direction we are headed is everything I expected and more."

Of course, the above means nothing at all - James didn't explicitly say he was going to sign the extension this summer; it is merely a possibility. But it's enough, for now.

It's also a lot better for the mental sanity of folks living in Ohio, than when their most iconic sports star gleefully tells the media how much he loves Gotham whenever he's asked about it.

LeBron James tells The PD's Brian Windhorst he'll consider signing extension with Cavs this summer [The Plain Dealer]

Andrew Bogut: Prepare to be filled with hatred for a world that rewards men for simply growing to a height of at least seven feet: Bogut has signed a five-year extension with the Milwaukee Bucks that could pay him up to $76 million dollars (with incentives). If there was ever an occasion for Bogut to high-five himself, this is it.

Andris Biedrins: The Warriors didn't want to give Baron Davis a little extra cash, but they were willing to spend $63 million over six years on Biedrins? Seriously?!

Baron Davis: We all know this story. Hopefully the joy of playing in his hometown will compensate for the horrors of being a Clipper. Kind of like how those awesome handicap parking spaces have made up for losing my leg in that tragic wood-chipping accident.

Beno Udrih: Did you ever think you'd live in a world where Beno Udrih signed a five-year, $32 million contract? Yeah, me neither. Thank you, Sacramento Kings, for making that happen. The crazy future is now.

Brent Barry: This two-year deal will work wonders for the Rockets' offense by stretching opposing defenses and giving Yao room to work for the 50 games he will play before getting hurt again. It also gives Tracy McGrady a long-ball threat to dish to after he drives headlong into another triple-team.

Chris Andersen: Hey, Nuggets fans. You can calm down now. Rex Chapman found a replacement for Marcus Camby. SQUAWK! The Birdman has a new nest!

Chris Duhon: This is how far Stephon "I know I'm the best point guard in the NBA" Marbury has fallen: The Knicks signed Duhon and many people see that as a definite upgrade. Yikes. This has to be pretty exciting for Knicks fans who are nostalgic for the Charlie Ward era.

Corey Maggette: Chris Mullin proved once again that the Golden State Warriors aren't afraid to drop coin on players not named "Baron Davis" by signing Maggette to a five-year, $50 million free agent deal.

Daniel Gibson: Who doesn't like boobies? Danny Ferry certainly likes this Boobie; he signed Gibson to a five-year, $21 million deal. Not bad for a backup point guard, eh? I'm sure this move will help ensure that LeBron doesn't leave until the very first chance he gets.

Deron Williams: He signed a $70 million extension that will trap him in Utah through at least 2012 (or 2013 if he takes the player option). Of course, the deal won't look nearly as attractive to Williams one year from now after Carlos Boozer betrays the team to seek more money elsewhere.

DeSagana Diop: Quick question with a "No" answer: Can Diop do battle with the Amares, Duncans, Paus and Yaos of the world? No. So why did the Mavs sign him to a five-year, $31 million contract six months after trading him to New Jersey as part of the Jason Kidd mega-deal? Because it amuses Mark Cuban to watch Erick Dampier and Diop battle for minutes. Said Cuban: "Dance for me puppets...dance!"

Eddie House: The Celtics were willing to part with Posey, but not House. That Danny Ainge sure is a genius! Eddie will make $2.7 million next season and has a player option for one more season after that at $2.9 million.

Elton Brand: You didn't really expect him to remain a Clipper...wait, what? You did? Sucker. Some say this makes the Philadelphia 76ers legit contenders. I say "We'll see."

Gilbert Arenas: He re-upped with the Wizards for less money than they were willing to give him. I don't know how Agent Zero is going to get by on that $111 million. I also can't help but wonder if his body is going to hold up for the six-year duration of the contract.

James Jones: The Heat made a five-year pact with Jones, a Miami native. Finally the Heat have the three-point marksman they need to compliment Shaq's lowpost ga...wait a minute...

James Posey: Helped the Heat win a championship? Check. Helped the Celtics win a championship? Check. Danny Ainge felt those credentials - not to mention hellacious perimeter defense and clutch three-point shooting - was worth three years, but not four. Boston's loss, and it was a big one, is New Orleans' gain. The Hornets got a lot better with this signing.

Jermaine O'Neal: Larry Bird shipped his disappointing forward/center to Toronto, where they are well-used to bitter disappointment. Chris Bosh and crew are very much looking forward to the 40 or so games in which O'Neal will be healthy and able to play.

Josh Childress: If the Hawks are going to build on their surprising first round playoff success against the Celtics, they're going to have to do it without Childress, who chose a diet of gyros and baklava over the delectable barbecue offerings of the greater Atlanta area. And before you start freaking out, keep in mind that Childress is going to make about $20 million (after taxes) over the next five years, making him the highest paid Euroleague player of all time. This means that they had to break the bank for a guy who averaged 11.8 PPG for a team that barely made the playoffs last season. I guess what I'm saying is: Don't expect a mass NBA exodus to Europe any time soon.

Kelenna Azubuike: Chris Mullin put his foot down and said, "We're not losing any more players to the Clippers this summer, even if I can't pronounce that player's name!" Azubuike, who averaged 8.1 PPG and 4.0 RPG for the Warriors last season, signed a three-year deal worth $9 million.

Keyon Dooling: The New Jersey Nets obtained Dooling - who averaged 8.1 points off of the Orlando bench last season - by using the $3 million trade exception they got in the Jason Kidd trade. Nets coach Lawrence Frank said: "He's a bubbly guy and that's the way he plays." To which Dooling responded: ""I guess that's a good term. I like being bubbly." I will hereafter refer to Dooling as "Bubbles."

Kostas Koufos: The Utah Jazz said "Take that, Greece!" by signing Koufos - their first-round draft pick - to a contract that will pay him approximately one meeeeeellion dollars per year. Jazz owner Larry Miller said: "After our second round defeat at the hands of the Lakers, Jerry (Sloan) and I realized we needed to get whiter and stiffer. From that standpoint, Kostas was everything we needed."

Kurt Thomas: It's never a good idea to make old men move around a lot. So, in that spirit, the Spurs resigned Kurt Thomas to an undisclosed deal. This ensures that Gregg Popovich will have a strong, veteran presence available to tell the young guys what it was like when professional basketball players were paid in bark chips and had to dribble rocks on courts that were uphill both ways.

Malik Allen: He's taking his 5.7 PPG career average to Milwaukee. I'm sure he just needed a fresh start. Well, that is, another fresh start; this is the sixth stop in Malik's seven-year NBA journey. I sense a breakout year coming.

Marcus Camby: The Nuggets handed him over to the Clippers for the right to swap second round picks in the 2010 draft. They might as well have offered to trade him for a unicorn or Bigfoot. I guess it's become en vogue to hand over All-Star caliber players to teams based in Los Angeles.

Marcus Williams: Hey, Warriors fans. You can stop worrying. Chris Mullin found a replacement for Baron Davis. And all he had to trade away was a draft pick that's lottery protected for 2011 (the Nets get it only if the Warriors make the playoffs). The pick is protected 1-11 for 2012 and 1-10 for 2013. If they haven't gotten anything by 2013, the Nets will receive second-round picks in 2013 and 2015. So basically, Golden State got Williams for nothing. Which should explain how much value he had in New Jersey.

Matt Barnes: I guess that retaining Azubuike's 8.1 PPG made Barnes' 6.7 PPG expendable, and the Suns - desperate for warm bodies - happily snapped him up. Suns GM Steve Kerr was pretty excited about it: "He has a chance to have a big impact on our team. His athleticism and versatility at both ends of the court will be important for us, along with his playoff experience." Playoff experience? He's played 11 career playoff games in five seasons.

Mickael Pietrus: The French defensive force has signed with the Orlando, giving the Magic almost two full players who play "NBA defense."

Monta Ellis: Chris Mullin cracked open his piggy bank to give Ellis a six-year deal worth $66 million. This means that Mullin values Ellis only $3 million over six years more than Andris Biedrins. I'm not sure how to feel about that.

Patrick O'Bryant: The Celtics spent the league minimum on this busted lottery pick (O'Bryant went ninth overall in the 2006 draft) because P.J. Brown will probably retire. Didn't they know that Kwame Brown is still available?! We was a number one overall pick!

Roger Mason: The Spurs signed him in what may turn into another one of their classic moves that nobody thinks anything of until they're winning another championship. Per usual, Gregg Popovich won't disclose terms of the deal, nor the hazing rituals Mason must go through to join the team. However, Mason's agent Mark Bartelstein told The Associated Press that Mason will have to play Dungeons and Dragons with Tim Duncan for "at least 24 straight hours."

Ronny Turiaf: Once again, the Warriors got all stingy with Baron Davis, but they were willing to drop $17 million over four years on a guy who spent most of his time with the Lakers waving a towel and freaking out on the sidelines. Can I please have a little of what Chris Mullin is smoking.

Tyronn Lue: He spurned offers from the Celtics and Suns to join the Milwaukee Bucks. Makes sense...assuming he's suffering from a debilitating head wound.

Sasha Vujacic: Thank goodness Sasha didn't flee to Europe. The U.S. needs him! After all, he averaged a career-high 8.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 72 games last season. The Lakers will (somewhat reluctantly) pay him $15 million over the next three seasons.

Sebastian Telfair: Another masterstroke for Kevin McHale and the Minnesota Timberwolves! Hopefully this will provide an opportunity for Telfair to start working on Through The Fire: Part II.

Tony Allen: Still a Celtic. Still not 100 percent.

T.J. Ford: The Pacers weren't satisfied with the iffy health and shot-mongering of Jermaine O'Neal...so they moved him for Ford? This is going to go onto the List of Larry Bird's Awesomest Decisions as Pacers President, right up there with keeping Ron Artest about two years too long, trading for 10 years of Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy Jr., and anything else you want to name.

NBA offseason roundup [Fox Sports]

2008 NBA Free Agent List [ESPN]

The Bucs yesterday continued to corner the market on middling QBs. With Chris Simms and Bruce Gradkowski already in the mix, they signed Jeff Garcia and traded for Jake Plummer. That's going to leave one of those gentlemen in the pitiable position of being cut in favor of whatever three guys they decide to keep. I don't know if the Bucs are any better today than they were two days ago, but they've certainly upped the number of different ways in which they can lose.

Much of yesterday/today's free agent money was spent on linemen. The Chargers kept Kris Dielman, the Bengals' Eric Steinbach jumped to Cleveland, and ESPN says that Dallas is coming to terms with Leonard Davis. All of these deals, by the way, are going to equal or exceed the deal that Seattle refused to give guard Steve Hutchinson last year. What seemed like a ridiculous deal just a year ago can be had by any old starting guard this year. Go figure.

Drew Bennett was signed to a big deal by the Rams, who feel like they need more help at receiver, instead of a frivolous luxury like, oh, I dunno... defense. Travis Henry was released by the Titans. They owed him $8.3 million if he stuck around. Word is that he's talking to Denver. The Lions signed pass-rushing defensive end DeWayne White to a 5-year, $29 million deal, despite the fact that he's started five games in three years. Andre Johnson re-upped with the Texans, Terry Glenn's sticking with the Cowboys, and the Patriots are expected to sign Wes Welker to an offer sheet.

Free Agency Roundup [FOXSports.com]

The 49ers were the first to make a move in the giant fiscal orgy, giving an 8-year, $80 million contract to cornerback Nate Clements. The Titans were also in the market for Clements, presumably to replace a certain troubled cornerback who's only happy when it rains. They might be forced to keep Pacman now. Oh well ... someone has to support the strippers of Nashville.

The Falcons gave a fullback, former Raven Ovie Mughelli, a six-year, $18 million deal. Finally, they start to surround Michael Vick with some legitimate offensive weapons.

The Patriots gave an assload of money to stud linebacker Adalius Thomas. I'm assuming on the "assload" part, contract terms weren't immediately available. NFL contracts prohibit the use of the term "assload." Just because it feels like it's appropriate to mention here, Bill Belichick is a genius.

Guard Derrick Dockery got $49 million over 7 years from Buffalo. Not that it's not a worthy signing, everyone needs a few good linemen... but it seems befitting of Buffalo to go out and make a big free agency splash on a guard. That'll sell some season tickets.

And the Redskins, never to be left out, when there's money to spend, gave London Fletcher $25 million over 5 years, and Fred Smoot is rumored to be docking in Washington soon, too.

A flurry of action on first day of free agency [MSNBC]