MLB Free Agency

Great pitching ultimately prevails in the MLB postseason, but qualifying for October baseball in the first place requires a formidable offense.

Five teams in particular ought to be busy this winter pursuing established hitters through trades and free agency as they aspire to remain relevant in 2014. 

MLB free agency is a couple of weeks old, but we're still waiting for the big fish to be reeled in by new suitors.

The offseason action so far has featured a few low-profile signings, but the dominoes have yet to fall when it comes to the top players available. For now, the hot stove is heating up heading into the winter meetings on Dec. 9-12 as teams communicate and get a feel for the market.

Let's take a look at 15 of the top targets available, with a focus on their best-case and worst-case scenarios.

Baseball isn't played on spreadsheets, but to an extent, it can be evaluated on them.

Free agency is just one aspect in which knowing the numbers can be a way for teams to make better decisions and even find the occasional value signing.

If the Arizona Diamondbacks are serious about changing their fortunes this offseason, they should consider trading either Martin Prado or Aaron Hill.

The Japanese posting system is flawed, but that doesn't mean the New York Yankees are to blame.

At the general managers and owners meeting in Orlando, Fla., Pittsburgh Pirates CEO Frank Coonelly pointed out a giant loophole in the current MLB system for signing Japanese stars like Masahiro Tanaka.

As so many championship teams have proved throughout the years, signing the top free agents on the market is rarely the key to success on the field. 

The Boston Red Sox had the payroll flexibility to sign Josh Hamilton or Zack Greinke last offseason. They passed. Instead, they spread out the wealth and filled out the roster with several veteran free agents who didn't require more than three-year contracts. 

After seven consecutive years without postseason baseball and five straight without a winning record, New York Mets fans are anxious for general manager Sandy Alderson to be aggressive on the free-agent and trade market this offseason.