MLB Free Agency

The MLB free-agent market is getting light, really light. 

Max Scherzer and James Shields still headline the class of arms, but as far as position players go, there's Melky Cabrera and not a whole lot else. What follows is a post-winter meetings re-ranking of the top 25 MLB free agents. 

After starting out slow on Monday and then building to a magnificent crescendo by mid-day Thursday, Major League Baseball's winter meetings are over.

Now that the flurry—nay, absolute avalanche—of signings and trades in San Diego are complete, here's the question: Are you all caught up on the transaction action?

One month in, Major League Baseball's free-agent market hasn't been lacking for action. Per ESPN.com, over $600 million has already been spent on free-agent contracts.

But by now, you've probably noticed the weirdness. If not, it's like this: Though the open market is saturated with quality pitching—particularly starting pitching—it's hitters who are hogging the cash so far.

Thanks in large part to the early run on position players, most of the best talent on this winter's free-agent market is already spoken for.

But fret not. With Major League Baseball executives and player agents set to gather in San Diego for the winter meetings this coming week, the free-agent market isn't completely devoid of top talent just yet. There's still plenty to talk about.

Major League Baseball's offseason is more than a month old, but there's no shortage of rumors and speculation—and questions—around a number of free agents and trade candidates, as well as teams' objectives and plans of attack.

Some of the latest center on the plans of the deep-pocketed Los Angeles Dodgers, the fallout in Oakland from the Josh Donaldson trade and what Chase Headley is worth on the open market.

Max Scherzer spent the 2014 season doing more than just playing baseball. During the course of the year, from spring training through the playoffs, the free-agent right-hander also was conducting a rather interesting—and really risky—experiment of sorts.

Who knew it would start raining bats in Seattle?

Robinson Cano last winter. Nelson Cruz this winter. Maybe the drought is finally over. The Seattle Mariners: Early AL West favorites entering 2015? You bet. Mark it down. Lattes all around.

And keep pouring: With a zesty mix of youth and experience, the Mariners now are built to win not just in 2015, but also for a handful of years beyond.

Now that December has arrived, the annual winter meetings are next up for the New York Mets and the other MLB teams. At that time, all the general managers will meet up and discuss potential signings and trades with each other for a few days.

The 2014-15 MLB offseason began like any other.

Then everything changed.

Sometimes it's best not to spend all of your money in one place. For MLB clubs, sometimes it's best not to spend all of their money in one offseason. 

That's starting to look like the case this year. The winter meetings are still a week away, but already the free-agent market is getting light.