MLB

Ahhh, the holidays. Eggnog, carols, the fresh smell of sap and distracting oneself from thy family with NBA action. But with the 10-16 Boston Celtics having just traded away Rajon Rondo and the New England Patriots already clinching the AFC's No. 1 seed, the conversation for many New Englanders may quickly transition to the Boston Red Sox this Christmas. 

From the San Francisco Giants to the Washington Nationals, some of the best teams of 2014 have endured underwhelming offseasons.

The Giants missed out on two of the top free agents of the winter, while the Nationals haven't done much of anything at all. With nearly all the big-money free agents and prominent trade targets already accounted for, it's time to start wondering if the offseason's most inactive contenders should be worrying. 

As informed and quick as national reporters are, some fans are able to randomly break news first—thanks to bizarre luck and a sweet location.

Take the case of veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski's recent signing, for example.

On Wednesday afternoon, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reported that the Atlanta Braves had reached an agreement on a one-year deal with Pierzynski:

Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez provided an early Christmas gift for fans of the franchise. Gonzalez suffered a season-ending knee injury in September, but he was healthy enough to take swings Tuesday.

Free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski could have called it a career after 17 MLB seasons, but he will play at least one more year after reportedly signing a contract with the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman provided the details of Pierzynski's new deal:

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported on Friday, Dec. 26, the financial details of the deal:

After a consistent season in a limited role during the 2014 season, free-agent outfielder Delmon Young signed a one-year deal to remain with the Baltimore Orioles.

Roch Kubatko of MASN reported the news on Young's decision:

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman added financial details:

There's fewer than 60 days until pitchers and catchers report, which means there's less than two months until the Alex Rodriguez circus begins again for the New York Yankees.

While the last-minute holiday hordes descend on department stores across America, MLB teams still have time to finish their offseason shopping lists.

But the options are dwindling—fast.

As Christmas approaches, with New Year's nipping at its heels, the number of players left on the shelf keeps shrinking.

That means clubs with glaring holes will have to sharpen their focus, and the few unsigned impact names will have to take realistic stock of their options.

The previous two offseasons have left us with a new, unexpected baseball term: Victim of the Qualifying Offer, which refers to a player who has spurned the offer in search of longer-term riches only to regret how he played his hand.

Ever since Guggenheim Baseball Management purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012, the Dodgers have been the most polarizing team in MLB.  They immediately went out and acquired superstars like Adrian G