MLB

In the midst of a number of splashy moves made around the MLB, the Boston Red Sox have remained very quiet this offseason.

Following its 2013 World Series crown, Boston could have been in a dire situation heading into spring training 2014.  The team had its share of free agents, including Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Napoli, Stephen Drew and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Two have already departed, and another may do so soon.

The Detroit Tigers and pitching ace Max Scherzer have reportedly agreed on a one-year, $15.5 million deal that will bring the veteran back for a fifth straight season in the Motor City, according to CBSSports.com baseball writer Jon Heyman:

The Tigers then made things official: 

Today is the day that players love and teams dread. It's the deadline for arbitration-eligible players to officially exchange proposed salaries for the 2014 season with their clubs. 

Players, traditionally, will make a high offer, while teams, unsurprisingly, counter with a lower number. If the cases go to arbitration, which will take place from February 1-21, a judge will decide which side is right. 

The important thing to remember when cases go to arbitration is that there is no middle ground for the judge to decide on; either the team or player will win. 

After Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune reported earlier today that the Chicago Cubs had reached agreements with three of their arbitration eligible players, five players were left for the Cubs to negotiate with before arbitration hearings begin on February 1. 

With a brand new World Series championship banner hanging on Yawkey Way, the Boston Red Sox have some pretty big shoes to fill as we move towards the 2014 MLB season.

This year, fans will be treated to an injection of youth with Xander Bogaerts likely taking over as the everyday shortstop and Jackie Bradley Jr. in center field.

Giancarlo Stanton, one of Major League Baseball's premier power hitters, avoided arbitration by reaching a one-year agreement with the Miami Marlins worth $6.5 million.

Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel passed along word of the deal:

He also provided terms of the short-term contract:

Quite simply, it's a steal for the Marlins.

Over the last two decades, the New York Yankees have put the fate of their franchise in Derek Jeter's hands. Now, as the 39-year-old enters the twilight of his career, the team is asking its captain to do something only three shortstops in the history of the sport have done: profile as an everyday shortstop as a 40-year-old.

With a Jan. 17 deadline to avoid arbitration, the Washington Nationals and star pitcher Jordan Zimmermann were able to agree upon a two-year contract extension worth a total of $24 million, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

There are a few standout shortstops in baseball. Then there is the inarguable standout shortstop on defense, Andrelton Simmons.

The clock is ticking on the Masahiro Tanaka derby, meaning we're likely near another wave of big free-agent signings just in time for pitchers and catchers to report for spring training. Hard to imagine, but in about a month, the familiar sounds of rawhide smacking the leather in the bullpen will return to Arizona and Florida.