ANAHEIM, Calif. — Baseball's offseason showroom remains stocked with inventory — especially luxury models — but the market has hardly been stagnant.

After three days at the annual winter meetings, many premier free agents, including coveted center fielder Carlos Beltran, are unsigned. But the length and value of some of the contracts signed so far have been unexpected.

"The people I've talked to in the baseball world are surprised," St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "The money has been more than we expected."

Some of the more lucrative contracts have gone to pitchers. The Arizona Diamondbacks, coming off a last-place, 111-loss season, made their move to get back in the game by shelling out a four-year, $33 million contract to right-hander Russ Ortiz.

The New York Mets set the market last month, retaining right-hander Kris Benson for three years for $22.5 million. Philadelphia signed right-hander Jon Lieber last week for three years for $21 million. The New York Yankees are working out a deal with right-hander Carl Pavano expected to be worth $40 million over four years. Such contracts leave one to wonder how high the market will go for some of the remaining premier free agents.

In Sunday's biggest transaction, the Toronto Blue Jays signed former Minnesota Twins third baseman Corey Koskie to a three-year deal worth $17 million.

"Everybody keeps getting surprised every year, and I don't see why they keep getting surprised," Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker said.