Opinion

The Boston Red Sox have several holes to fill as they try to rebound from a last-place season in 2014.  While a trade or two is likely, the Red Sox will also look to bring in free agents to shore up their roster.

Far and away, the biggest need Boston has is starting pitching.  A potential ace like Jon Lester, Max Scherzer or James Shields is the primary target, but the Red Sox should bolster their rotation with additional depth as well.

The MLB offseason finally had its first blockbuster trade on Monday, but many more are likely coming before the season begins.

Jason Heyward was dealt from the Atlanta Braves to the St. Louis Cardinals, via the Braves' Twitter account. Reliever Jason Walden was also included by Atlanta in exchange for Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins.

Are you jealous of Giancarlo Stanton, the Miami Marlins outfielder who, as you've heard by now, has agreed to a record-setting contract that will pay him $325 million over 13 years?

The St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves provided some excitement for fans on a November Monday that had most of the nation trying to figure out how to stay warm. Most baseball fans don't expect to be debating their team's future while also seeing snow fall. Blockbuster trades have a way of changing fans' focus quickly.

I hope Giancarlo Stanton has this contract written in blood. Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria's blood. That's the only sane way to sign your life over to the Marlins.

Think about it. We know Loria. We've watched his act. Things are never as they appear. Come on, 13 years and $325 million? This guy is a carnival barker.

Whenever Major League Baseball gets a new record-sized contract, it's tempting to get into hand-wringing and bellyaching about the league's eternally reckless spending.

But that's not what we're here to do with Giancarlo Stanton and the Miami Marlins. Rather, we're here to issue a well-deserved toast to both parties.

The MLB offseason has started busier than expected, as multiple organizations have already made moves large enough to change the landscape of their 2015 seasons.

Major League Baseball's offseason went from a simmering stove to a burning-hot one in no time at all by midday Monday.

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed free-agent catcher Russell Martin to a five-year, $82 million deal, per Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.

Move over, A-Rod! The Miami Marlins have reportedly signed Giancarlo Stanton to the largest contract in baseball history at 13 years for $325 million, according to Miami Herald's Manny Navarro.