MLB

Point your ear in the direction of Chavez Ravine, and you'll hear the sound of silence. So far, the eerily quiet Los Angeles Dodgers have been letting other clubs dictate the MLB offseason's headlines.

Let's put this in the "Probably Not Gonna Last" file. Knowing their situation, the Dodgers' silence is likely the calm before the eruption. 

Who knew it would start raining bats in Seattle?

Robinson Cano last winter. Nelson Cruz this winter. Maybe the drought is finally over. The Seattle Mariners: Early AL West favorites entering 2015? You bet. Mark it down. Lattes all around.

And keep pouring: With a zesty mix of youth and experience, the Mariners now are built to win not just in 2015, but also for a handful of years beyond.

Now that December has arrived, the annual winter meetings are next up for the New York Mets and the other MLB teams. At that time, all the general managers will meet up and discuss potential signings and trades with each other for a few days.

The 2014-15 MLB offseason is just getting started. The winter meetings begin Dec. 7 in San Diego, but even that much-scrutinized annual confab is usually more about laying groundwork than swinging massive deals.

Many years from now, we may find ourselves recalling how the first great bidding war between the megarich Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees of the 2000s was not over a hulking slugger or a fire-balling starter, but over a left-handed reliever.

That means you, Andrew Miller. Potentially, anyway.

General manager Neal Huntington and the Pittsburgh Pirates have been busy this offseason, making small moves for players they hope will play to their maximum potential in 2015.  

The Seattle Mariners have reportedly signed Nelson Cruz.

General manager Jack Zduriencik and the Seattle Mariners aren't bashful. We'll give 'em that.

The Miami Marlins are looking to sign their biggest stars long term and have offered yet another young player a long-term deal. This time, it's pitcher Jose Fernandez who was reportedly offered a six-year, $40 million contract.    

MLB's official Twitter account passed along the report:

For the Washington Nationals and the rest of Major League Baseball, winter is coming.