Opinion

On the path to a World Series title, the Boston Red Sox showed the ability to hit in the biggest moments on the October stage. If their free-agency blueprint stays on course, a deep, clutch lineup will soon be even more dangerous.

It's no secret that the Los Angeles Dodgers have four outfielders on their roster who are capable of starting for most teams in the majors.

MLB trade rumors often stir up questions about team aspirations for the next season. Notable offseason questions include—are the Los Angeles Dodgers a piece away from winning the World Series? Could constant trade rumor subject David Price be that piece?

By signing catcher Brayan Pena to a two-year deal—as reported by Mark Sheldon of MLB.com—the Cincinnati Reds have dropped a not-so-subtle hint that All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman is moving into their 2014 starting rotation.

The anticipation and speculation leading up to a Major League Baseball season is unlike that of any other sport.  As soon as the last out of the final game of a World Series is recorded, the calculation and dreaming for a campaign still five months away begins.

For the New York Yankees, 2014 can't get here fast enough.  The sooner they can get the disappointment of 2013 in their rear-view mirror, the better.

There are no proven No. 1 starting pitchers on MLB's free-agent market this year. Too many are signing extensions these days. Others, presumably, have simply migrated to warmer climates.

What the market does boast is a solid collection of No. 2 and No. 3 starters who can be had at fair prices. And if there's one guy who's likely to be had at a fairer price than anyone, it's Ricky Nolasco.

For a team that finished with 91 losses like the Seattle Mariners, the offseason is exceptionally crucial. The roster is full of an interesting but not necessarily intriguing or promising mix of youth and experience, and it was ineffective last season.

One of the topics expected to be discussed at next week's GM meetings is how to reduce the number of home plate collisions, which have always been injury risks.

Due to the vulnerable position of the catcher trying to block home plate while concentrating on trying to catch a baseball, while the runner bears down on him at full speed with the intention of jarring the ball out of his glove—whether he catches it or not—it's not exactly the safest job on the field.

Now that the Cardinals have had about a week to recover from their Game 6 World Series loss, they have firmly turned their attention to the 2014 squad.

So far we know that Trevor Rosenthal will be the closer to start next season and Carlos Martinez will get a shot as a starter.

It wouldn't be award season without controversy. After MLB Network unveiled the finalists for baseball's four prestigious individual honors, the names left off the list are even more compelling.