1.  And the most expensive players, unrestricted free agents, can be busts.

2.  He will have his chance later in the season if the Dodgers have a hole and an expensive player eligible for free agency becomes available.

3.  That, he said, would allow its use even in the least expensive players.

4.  The Angels have told the Mets they are interested in Appier and not in other expensive players like Todd Zeile and Rey Ordonez.

5.  The Boston Red Sox have a deep minor league system and need a center fielder, and the Baltimore Orioles always come up when expensive players are available.

6.  The brainchild turned into a brainbrat, landing many more expensive players than generous sponsors.

7.  The clear message is that unless the Mets can move significant salaries off the roster, there will be no room to add expensive players.

8.  The Mets want to contend next year, but unless they are able to move expensive players off their underachieving roster, they may be unable to afford it.

9.  Weak teams cough up expensive players this time of year.

10.  Barcelona, especially its local sports press, has been almost obsessed by the play of Brazilian striker Ronaldo, the most expensive player in Spanish soccer history.