MLB

After going all-in to win in 2014, the Oakland Athletics are making big changes. Josh Donaldson, arguably their best position player for the last two years, has been traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for a package of players that includes Brett Lawrie.

The Athletics made things official on Twitter:

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports first broke news of the deal.

While impact hitters like Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez have already landed monster deals, the MLB free-agent market for pitchers has been remarkably quiet. 

So far this offseason, there just hasn't been a ton of buzz surrounding top arms like Max Scherzer and David Robertson. One reason for the lack of activity is that clubs appear to be waiting for the market to set itself once the first domino falls.

The Detroit Tigers are natural trade partners with the Boston Red Sox.

Detroit has a need in the outfield, and Boston has enough quality players at that position to fill starting outfields for three teams.

Boston has beefed up its batting order thanks to the acquisitions of Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, but its starting pitchers could use some help. Clay Buchholz is the best of the bunch, but he posted an ugly stat line that included 11 losses and a 5.34 ERA.

The 2014 season was a success for the Seattle Mariners. The team improved by 16 wins, transforming a 71-win team into an 87-win team.

The 2014 season was also one of change. Seattle brought in a new manager, Lloyd McClendon, and a player, Robinson Cano, who immediately became the co-face of the franchise along with Felix Hernandez.

Coming into the offseason, it seemed like the Cubs were building momentum. They were seemingly connected to every major free agent, and fans were starting to get hyped about what potential stars they could sign. However, the team hasn't made any significant moves yet as the MLB's winter meetings get ready to begin.

Giancarlo Stanton and the Miami Marlins made sports history earlier this month when the two sides agreed to an unprecedented 13-year, $325 million contract extension through 2027.

Fresh off their third World Series title in five years, the business of baseball moves on for the San Francisco Giants.

Pablo Sandoval has signed with the Boston Red Sox, leaving a gaping hole at third base and in the middle of the Giants' batting order. In addition to third base, general manager Brian Sabean is also in the market for a left fielder, starting pitcher and right-handed reliever.

The Detroit Tigers have all but relegated themselves to playing next season without last season’s ace, Max Scherzer. 

The MLB offseason is just getting started, but key free agents have fallen off the board, and not every contract handed out so far will pay off.

Buying early has its advantages. It allows teams to address needs in a timely fashion and to gain clarity on their remaining priorities. But pre-winter splurges carry risks as well, most notably the dreaded overpay.

That label has been slapped on a few of the deals handed out so far.