Opinion

Perhaps nothing in sports is more motivating than having to watch your archrival succeed.

That's just what the New York Yankees spent this past October doing, though, as the Boston Red Sox won it all after dominating the Yankees and the rest of the American League East during the regular season.

For the first time in history, readers will get a chance to have a say in a single vote (at the very least) for the Baseball Writers' Association of America Hall of Fame vote.

According to Deadspin, the website has officially bought a ballot from a voting member for the annual elections:

Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings are still weeks away, but that hasn't stopped major free-agent and trade activity from already shaping the landscape of the offseason.

From the blockbuster that saw Prince Fielder and Ian Kinsler switch addresses, to Brian McCann's arrival in New York, to Jhonny Peralta's move to St. Louis, to Alex Rodriguez challenging everyone in MLB's Park Avenue office, the hot stove has been lit throughout the month of November.

The winter spending spree for Major League Baseball teams has begun earlier than expected, but the top free agent on the market, Robinson Cano, remains in limbo.

Seattle Mariners trade rumors have been abundant so far this offseason, but the club has yet to pull any triggers.

Though the Indians found success in 2013, they have some weaknesses they'll have to address before they're ready to take the next step in 2014.

The club managed a 92-70 record in 2013. However, with the impending losses of Scott Kazmir and Ubaldo Jimenez, combined with the disappointment of players like Lonnie Chisenhall, needs have arisen at third base and also in the starting rotation.

When one part of a team has struggled for years, it's expected that the general manager would go out and try to upgrade that area.

Surprisingly, San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean has different ideas.

While the preeminent free agents of the MLB offseason remain unsigned, the deals we've seen so far—almost all for complementary-type players—should still likely affect the market at their respective positions. Here's a look at how those markets are shaping up.

Starting pitchers

The Kansas City Royals addressed one of their needs when they signed innings-eater Jason Vargas.  Three of the five rotation spots were solidified with the signing, but what would the team do to fill the back-end of the rotation?

The New York Yankees are in the market for a third baseman this offseason as a result of Alex Rodriguez's potential suspension, but the market at the hot corner continues to get thinner and thinner with each passing day.