Opinion

Chase Headley isn't the big free-agent fish New York Yankees fans have been waiting for. His signing won't splash across the headlines, and he won't single-handedly carry New York back to the top of the American League East.

Despite a somewhat disappointing 2014 season, third baseman Chase Headley cashed in Monday, reaching an agreement to sign a contract with the Yankees to stay in New York.

The Yankees confirmed that Headley has decided to re-join the team via their Twitter account:

The MLB offseason has already been filled with blockbuster trades and huge free-agent signings, but the trade rumors that continue to circulate around the biggest names in the sport could signal more change to come.

With stars like first baseman Ryan Howard, starting pitcher Cole Hamels and outfielder Allen Craig all reportedly on the market, the landscape of baseball could drastically shift once again this offseason.

The winter meetings have come and gone, but the ripple effect they left is still being felt around the MLB. Even with names like Matt Kemp and Josh Donaldson being moved in recent weeks, there are several notable players still reportedly on the market.

Several big names changed addresses during the winter meetings earlier this week, but there are still plenty of premier players available to be had via trades.

This MLB offseason is quickly shaping up to be one of the most active in recent memory. There weren't that many top-notch free agents, but the ones who were available were franchise-changers. Of course, a shortage of free agents means the trade market is a hotbed for new rumors and player movement.

When we last saw them in the regular season, Major League Baseball's six divisions were nice and orderly. A place for every team, every team in its place.

But then the offseason happened.

As you might have noticed, things have been bonkers. We're not even halfway through December, and the free-agent market's shelves are approaching empty and the trade market has produced enough high-profile deals for two offseasons.

A case can be made that the New York Mets possess the best collection of young pitching in the major leagues, with a projected 2015 starting rotation that includes right-handers Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and National League Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom.

Plus, it shouldn’t be long until they’re joined by a host of other young arms, too, as prospects Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz both are close to being ready for The Show.

Now that left-hander Jon Lester has signed with the Chicago Cubs, Max Scherzer is easily the No. 1 free agent remaining on the market. Heck, a strong case could be made that the right-hander, who won the 2013 American League Cy Young Award, was the top talent in free agency when the offseason began.

Not every move is pulled off, not every need filled at the MLB Winter Meetings.

For as much hype as the gathering produces, and rightfully so this year, there are teams that go in with plenty of expectations but simply leave with the same roster with which they arrived. It leaves fans disappointed that their guys were not part of the hoopla, but it does not mean said team is done maneuvering.

The Seattle Mariners are such a team.

Coming off one of the most chaotic winter meetings in recent memory, you might suspect there wouldn't be anything left for Major League Baseball teams to do as the new year approaches. You would be very wrong, though that's not a bad thing. 

Because of the way rumors were flying fast and furious out of the hotel in San Diego, there's a lot of work that teams are still trying to do in order to help make themselves better for 2015 or beyond.