Barely more than two weeks from the start of spring training, major league transactions have slowed to a near standstill. Most of the player news is speculation where frontline starters Johan Santana and Eric Bedard will land before camps open across Florida and Arizona.

In these next two weeks, however, we should see a final run of free-agent signings. When the Phillies and Pedro Feliz agreed to terms on a two-year deal Monday, the team found its regular third baseman for 2008 -- with the offseason nearly over. Feliz has averaged 21 homers and 84 RBIs a year over the last four seasons.

The Mets have been flirting with right-hander Livan Hernandez, who has been a double-digit winner the last eight seasons. He might already be a Met if Santana had moved elsewhere by now. It had been reported that a signing was imminent, but New York is waiting to see how the Santana sweepstakes plays out.

There are still a number of free agents who could fill critical roles and contribute in 2008. Several older players on the down slope could be productive playing less than full time. A few others could be useful in platoon roles. And most teams can’t get enough pitching.

Here are the 10 free-agent position players who delivered double-digit homers in 2007. Six of them had at least 50 RBIs. Most could be valuable part-time players who could start as needed.

2008 Free Agents with 10+ Homers in 2007

Player. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PA. . . . . . . .HR. . . . . . . . RBIs
Barry Bonds. . . . . . . . . . . .477. . . . . . . .28. . . . . . . . . 66
Sammy Sosa. . . . . . . . . . . .454. . . . . . . .21. . . . . . . . . 92
Brad Wilkerson. . . . . . . . . .389. . . . . . . .20. . . . . . . . . 62
Tony Clark. . . . . . . . . . . . .245. . . . . . . .17. . . . . . . . . 51
Luis Gonzalez. . . . . . . . . . .526. . . . . . . .15. . . . . . . . . 68

Morgan Ensberg. . . . . . . . .324. . . . . . . .12. . . . . . . . . 39
Shannon Stewart. . . . . . . .630. . . . . . . . 12. . . . . . . . . 48
Johnny Estrada. . . . . . . . . 464. . . . . . . .10. . . . . . . . . 54
Shawn Green. . . . . . . . . . .491. . . . . . . .10. . . . . . . . . 46
Russ Branyan. . . . . . . . . . .194. . . . . . . .10. . . . . . . . . 26

First baseman Tony Clark stroked 17 home runs and drove in 51 runs for Arizona in less than half a season of at-bats. Reportedly the Mariners, Red Sox and Giants have shown recent interest. What about the Yankees, who parted ways with Doug Mientkiewicz and Andy Phillips this winter? Clark didn’t fare well in a 2004 stint with the Yanks, but he seems like a terrific fit for Yankee Stadium.

Despite a .283-36-101 season with Houston in 2005, Morgan Ensberg hasn’t hit well enough against right-handers to remain a regular. His career percentages against southpaws, though, are .284/.406/.530. He seems to be an ideal platoon candidate at third. Ensberg could be a nice fit to share the position with Mike Lamb in Minnesota, but I suppose the price tag would be too high.

There’s a free-agent catcher who could play regularly in Johnny Estrada, and of course there’s Barry and Sammy. Have we seen the last of them?

Don’t forget the always-on-the-move Kenny Lofton, who scored 86 runs and stole 23 bases with Texas and Cleveland in 2007. He could be an everday player. Infielder Tony Graffanino stroked nine home runs, a single-season high, and drove in 30 runs in just 260 plate appearances. He’s coming off major knee surgery, however, and may not be ready to go by Opening Day.

Others who could rebound from off years or injury troubles to be productive role players include Ryan Klesko, Eric Hinske, Reggie Sanders and Mike Sweeney. All are risks for either reasons of health or age, but price shouldn’t be a stumbling block.

As always, the available hitting talent is more substantial than the pitching talent. There are only four double-digit winners from a year ago who remain unsigned: Hernandez (11-11, 4.93 ERA), Kris Benson (11-12, 4.82 ERA), Josh Fogg (10-9, 4.94 ERA) and Byung-Hyun Kim (10-8, 6.08 ERA).

Not exactly guys to get excited about, but they probably will ink deals and get an opportunity to make significant contributions. After all, pitching prospects will demonstrate they’re not ready, and spring arm trouble is just around the corner for a number of veterans.

Other free-agent options include Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, Shawn Chacon, Kyle Lohse, Odalis Perez, Steve Trachsel and Eric Milton. And maybe Roger Clemens?

Few of the remaining free-agent hurlers will have much impact in 2008, but several of the available hitters could make a difference for their new team. And for the next week or two, they will provide some drama beyond the Bedard and Santana trade negotiations.