It's the best time of year for baseball fans. The season is over and its time to start thinking about next year.

That can only mean one thing. The Hot Stove is heating up with trade rumors, and free agent signing rumors on a daily basis. Of course most of it is just rumors, but that's where all the fun lies.

Most of the signings don't take place until the winter meetings in December, but now is time teams start laying the groundwork for how they are going to improve their team.

Here’s a list of the top free agents this off-season, and predictions on where they may wind up.

Paul Konerko
Regarded by some as the best hitter available this off-season, Konerko has had back to back 40 home run seasons and is ready to cash in a big contract. He was the centerpiece of the Chicago White Sox offense that won the World Series and they will do everything they can to keep him. They will get stiff competition from the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels, but in the end the White Sox will realize they need him to defend their title.
Prediction: Chicago White Sox

A.J. Burnett
Clearly the best pitcher available on the market, Burnett fell out of favor with the Florida Marlins late in September by criticizing management. He has an injury history and has a reputation for being immature, which will scare some teams off, but not enough for pitching needy teams such as the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. In the end, he'll go where the money will be.
Prediction: Baltimore Orioles

Billy Wagner
This is a free agent class loaded with closers and Wagner is arguably the best. The New York Mets have made it known that they will do whatever it takes to sign him. The Philadelphia Phillies know they need to keep him and will match any offer. This has all the makings of a bidding war. Wagner will get the money wherever he goes, its just a matter of where he wants to play.
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies

Hideki Matsui
One of the premier outfielders available, there doesn't seem to be much of a market for him, as everyone assumes the New York Yankees will pay up to $55 million to keep him. The Seattle Mariners may jump in late, but logic says he's not going anywhere.
Prediction: NY Yankees

Johnny Damon
The best leadoff hitter available and fan favorite up in Boston may decide he's finally had enough of dysfunction-palooza and bolt to the Yankees. He has expressed a desire in the past to play in the Bronx, and the Yankees need a Centerfielder badly. But the Red Sox know how important he is to the organization, and will throw as much money at him as possible to keep him.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox

Trevor Hoffman
He is 38 years old and saved 43 games last year. Hoffman is far from done. One of the most reliable closers over the past 10 years, he will draw plenty of interest if he doesn't return to the San Diego Padres. The Mets have expressed interest, and they may have what it takes to lure him away. Common knowledge will say Hoffman returns to San Diego. This time though, it may not be the case.
Prediction: NY Mets

B.J. Ryan
Ryan is one of the more intriguing situations on the market this year. His talent is for real. One of the most dominant lefties in the league with filthy stuff will attract plenty of attention from teams in need of a closer. This includes the Mets, Chicago Cubs, Phillies, etc. Then there are the Yankees. Obviously they are set at closer for the next few years with Mariano Rivera, but the Yankees have had problems getting the ball to Rivera, and if he is willing to be a set-up man for two years, then take over for Rivera for $40 million, this is where he will wind up, and I think this is what will happen.
Prediction: NY Yankees

Rafael Furcal
He had an improved 2005 cutting down his fielding errors to only 15. Some teams such as the Mets and Yankees, may want him to move positions, but Furcal has made it known he wants to play Shortstop. The Cubs will push hard for him, and Furcal has been rumored to want as much as $50 million. If that's the case, he wont be back in Atlanta and will probably wind up in Chicago.
Prediction: Chicago Cubs

Bengie Molina
Had a great postseason raising his value and possibly earning more money because of that success (See Carlos Beltran). The Mets want him to replace Mike Piazza, and the Angels of Anaheim California in Orange County will push hard to keep him. They'll do all the can but it may not be enough.
Prediction: NY Mets

Some other free agents and the teams they may might sign with…

Brian Giles: St. Louis Cardinals
Mike Piazza: Los Angeles Angels
Ramon Hernandez: San Diego Padres
Kevin Millwood: Cleveland Indians
Matt Morris: St. Louis Cardinals
Tom Gordon: Chicago Cubs
Jeff Weaver: Los Angeles Angels
Kyle Farnsworth: Atlanta Braves
Nomar Garciaparra: Los Angeles Dodgers
Preston Wilson: Washington Nationals
Jacque Jones: Baltimore Orioles