MLB

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Brad Ziegler isn't a household name or even one of the best players on his own team. But Ziegler's comments in the wake of the St.

The 2014 MLB free-agency market is heating up, and no move sparked more controversy this week than Jhonny Peralta's $53 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Now, the big question is just how lucrative of a contract Nelson Cruz will land. According to the rumbling on the trade market, however, Peralta and Cruz won't be the only Biogenesis-linked players on the move this offseason.

Here are all the latest rumors from the trade block and the free-agent front with a look at which ones are fact and which ones are fiction.

The Boston Red Sox have several decisions to make this offseason in the wake of their World Series victory against the St. Louis Cardinals, but luckily for them, there don't appear to be too many major issues for them this winter.

The Minnesota Twins took a step toward improving their miserable starting rotation on Wednesday when they agreed to a deal with free agent Ricky Nolasco.

Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish broke the news first, with Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirming the report:

Oh, the names that could have been out there on the free-agent market.

Sure, Robinson Cano is pretty great. Ditto Jacoby Ellsbury. Shin-Soo Choo's on-base prowess makes one swoon. Before he was picked up by the New York Yankees, Brian McCann stood out as a very rare breed of free agent: an elite offensive and defensive catcher.

Free agency is finally starting to get exciting, and there are even more MLB rumors surrounding the top names on the market now that other players have signed on with new teams.

The New York Yankees made the first big splash in free agency this past weekend, inking catcher Brian McCann to a five-year deal with an option for a sixth year. A sixth year would bring the deal to $100 million.

The Minnesota Twins have agreed to terms with free-agent pitcher Ricky Nolasco. The deal between the club and the right-hander was first reported by Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com on Wednesday afternoon:

Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press received confirmation from Nolasco:

The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers have each filled major voids for left-handed power hitters for the middle of their respective lineups, while the St. Louis Cardinals didn't waste time upgrading at the shortstop position.

The year was 1998.

Bill Clinton had just announced that the United States was experiencing their first budget surplus since 1969. "Armageddon" and "Saving Private Ryan" were topping the box office and setting records of their own.

The Boston Red Sox outfield could be in for a number of changes in 2014 in the wake of what could transpire this offseason.