MLB

The New York Yankees are about to embark on their most important offseason in years.

They just sat back and watched their biggest rivals, the Boston Red Sox, complete a worst-to-first turnaround and win the 2013 World Series.

With several major contracts coming off the books and more than $80 million to spend on free agents, the Yankees have the opportunity to right the ship quickly.

The New York Yankees have several difficult decisions ahead this offseason, but following a blueprint would help to mitigate the tough choices that general manager Brian Cashman will inevitably have to make.

The San Francisco Giants finished the 2013 season with a disappointing record of 76-86, 16 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

The work to rebuild the roster has already begun for the Giants and GM Brian Sabean.

First, the Giants signed outfielder Hunter Pence to a five-year, $90 million contract. Pence played in every game for the Giants and was their top overall offensive weapon this past season.

Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, and one way or another, he's going to be paid as such soon. Just ask his team's owner.

The relationship between former Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson and outfielder Bryce Harper was highly scrutinized by the media this past season.

The most discerning MLB general managers understand the art of buying low.

These talent evaluators don't just throw money at any player on the scrap heap. They know exactly when to spring for a free-agent ace rebounding from major surgery. They choose just the moment to pull the trigger on a deal for a floundering star who is ready to explode.

While superstars Robinson Cano and Jacoby Ellsbury headline MLB's free agent class this offseason, several big names could be on the move via the old-fashioned way: trades.

In fact, when the trade dust settles, a Cy Young winner, MVP runner-up and World Series MVP may all have new homes by Opening Day 2014.

Read on to find out which players might be packaged in Hot Stove blockbusters.

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When it comes to the top MLB free agents on the market, the high asking prices will limit the number of teams with a realistic chance of signing them. But it doesn't mean that they won't have a good number of options to choose from.

The ultimate choice will often come down to the team offering the most money, although it's not out of the question for a player to leave a few million dollars on the table to sign with a team that they feel more comfortable with for other reasons.

Every year there are players on the MLB free agency market that qualify as comeback players, and many of them are starting pitchers.

This year is no different, as the offseason brings with it 10 pitchers who need big bounce-back seasons.

Whether their comeback is needed because of injuries, poor performance or a leave from the game, these guys need a good 2014 season to get their careers back on track.

Let's take a look at the 10 biggest comeback players among starting pitchers this offseason.

The Tigers made history last year. The kind of history that isn’t exactly headline worthy.

Somewhat akin to the Buffalo Bills in the 1990s, Detroit became the sixth baseball team to make three straight League Championship Series appearances without winning a ring during that time.