Well, now that the general manager meetings have started in baseball, the free-agent signings and trades can begin in earnest.

Of course, Mike Piazza and Al Leiter have already signed with the New York Mets. But there are still several very good free agents waiting to be signed.

This column is a compilation of speculation, hope and solving the jigsaw puzzle that is the ’98-’99 baseball offseason. But there may not be a basis in fact: I’m just using several different sources that have better connections than I do to the world of baseball.

First, lets look at the big free agent pitchers: Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson. They are both dominating staff aces and pitchers you can build a staff around.

Johnson already has a home in Phoenix, and Arizona is willing to spend money. But the two Texas teams have indicated interest in him as well. I’d put my money on Houston because they have a great pitchers ballpark, and they want to build on last year’s success.

Texas is too hot (so they probably won’t even be able to keep Todd Stottlemeyre), and Arizona has a thin-air park, trouble for pitchers who like to keep the ball up, like Johnson.

Kevin Brown is a lowball pitcher, and he wants to stay in the National League. Speculation has centered on Colorado and San Diego. Look for a reunification with Jim Leyland at Coors Field.

Next, the outfielders. Bernie Williams, Albert Belle, Brian Jordan, Henry Rodriguez, Jose Canseco and Darryl Strawberry head a very deep list of good or very good outfielders available.

Look for Strawberry to stay with the Yankees and Canseco to stay with the Blue Jays. But look for Williams to leave New York for Arizona, Jordan to leave for Chicago, Belle to leave for the Yankees and Rodriguez to perhaps return to Montreal.

At the hot corner, we have Ken Caminiti and Sean Berry as the prizes.

I’d bet on them staying in San Diego and Houston respectively. But Robin Ventura will probably move crosstown to the Cubbies (yes! finally a blue-chipper at third) as Gary Gaetti, despite the great run he had, is 40 and not getting younger.

In the middle infield, we have Robbie Alomar, Royce Clayton and Carlos Baerga looking for new homes. Clayton will probably stay in Texas, but Alomar and Baerga are gone for sure.

Look for Alomar to end up with the Braves or the Indians, either making a great team greater or good team better.

First base is where most of the really interesting action is. Mo Vaughn, in a feud with Dan Duquette, looks like he is out of Boston. And this just in: He has been offered a $72 million contract by the Anaheim Angels.

Rafael Palmeiro may leave the Orioles to take his place in Beantown.

Some of the signings are creating interesting implications of their own. For example, what are the New York Mets going to do with Todd Hundley?

I hope, and I think it’s possible, that he could end up with the Cubs, who have a desperate need for a catcher. And his dad, Randy, played for the Cubs and did color commentary on the Cubs radio broadcasts when Ron Santo was unwell.

This is just a small fraction of the approximately 120 free agents available.

Some that I didn’t mention include: Eric Davis, Jimmy Key, Dennis Eckersley, David Cone, Wil Cordero, Rickey Henderson, Dean Palmer, Will Clark, Dennis Martinez, Dennis Cook, Armando Reynoso, Steve Finley, Orel Hershiser and Jose Mesa.

This is potentially the best — and will be the most expensive — free agent season ever. Don’t be surprised if you see several $100 million contracts and many, many $50 million contracts.

Let the signings begin!

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Jayadev Athreya is a senior in math from Ames.