MLB

The hot-stove season has already provided plenty of heat. Some high-profile free agents have already agreed to deals, while other big names have been moved in trades. It's already shaping up to be one of the most interesting offseasons in recent memory, and we haven't even hit the winter meetings.

Even though they missed out on catcher Russell Martin in free agency, the Chicago Cubs still have plenty of targets left in play. Most free agents they currently have an interest in would be more of role players, with the exception of ace Jon Lester. Any other elite pitching they pursue this offseason could be in the form of a trade.

Every MLB team has its own to-do list each offseason, but for a handful of clubs, filling one specific area of need could be the difference between contending and watching from home come October.

For teams on the rise or already on the fringe of contention, sometimes one piece can make all the difference in the push to reach the postseason.

The sweepstakes for Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas is down to four teams, writes Jon Heyman

For baseball fans, one of the only things to do this time of year is talk about free agents. Especially the hyped free agents, who we talk about again and again...and again.

Question is: Which ones are actually, you know, worthy of the hype?

That's the question we're asking today, anyway. We're going to go through a list of 15 free agents who can be fairly considered to be "hyped" based on their names, track records and/or contract projections and determine if they're actually deserving of the hype.

This past year, Jacob deGrom became the fifth player in Mets history to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The other winners were Tom Seaver in 1967, Jon Matlack in 1972, Darryl Strawberry in 1983 and Dwight Gooden in 1984.

If there were any doubt the Chicago White Sox intend to put a winning product on the field in 2015, the Adam LaRoche signing erased it.

The Chicago White Sox have filled their void at first base/designated hitter.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that the team signed free agent Adam LaRoche to a two-year deal worth $25 million:

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal confirmed the news:

If you think the Atlanta Braves did well in the Jason Heyward trade, just wait until you see how they do in the Justin Upton trade.

Or so they hope, anyway.

After not making the playoffs for the second year in a row, it is clear the New York Yankees will have to make some moves this winter if they intend to compete in 2015.

It's the Yankees, so you know that is exactly what their intentions are.