MLB Free Agency

MLB free agency is kicking into high gear in December, with some big names finally inking their new deals, leaving the remainder of the available players to feel out the market in an effort to maximize their return.

For all the deals that have been completed, however, there are teams left behind with packages that just weren't enough to bring in that top target.

We're already two weeks into December, and Nick Swisher still doesn't have a home.

The former New York Yankees right fielder is still one of the top free agents out on the market, and people have been wondering where he might sign.

Swisher's market has been slow to develop, but I think that's because of Josh Hamilton.

Even though the season has been over for two months now, this is still an exciting time with the "Hot Stove" heating up. Following the rumors swirling around free agents and potential trades will keep fans busy during the winter months.

Cuban players Dariel Alvarez and Aledmis Diaz officially have been declared free agents, according to Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald. First reported by Mark Sanchez of MLB.com on Nov.

If you're wondering what that sounds was, it was the collective groan coming out of Boston.

Why?

Kevin Youkilis is officially coming to the Bronx.

After weeks of speculation, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports broke the news on Twitter that the Yankees have officially signed the former Red Sox infielder.

The MLB winter meetings may have left baseball fans with more questions than answers as a number of top names still have yet to find new homes, but that will only add drama to the coming months leading up to spring training.

The  biggest free-agent names will get all the attention. But while closers like Rafael Soriano, Joakim Soria and Jose Valverde have made headlines, they're not the only relievers who could make a difference next season.

While the biggest names on the free-agent market—Josh Hamilton and Zack Greinke—remain in play, teams have not waited for those two to find new homes before making moves of their own.

The action on the free-agent market might not be coming as fast and furiously as some would like, but teams are slowly and steadily adding key pieces as they build their rosters towards World Series runs in 2013.

With the MLB winter meetings behind us, some teams have taken on a very new look, while others are still left with many pieces left to move around before heading into spring training.

This year's winter meetings wrapped up on Thursday, capping off what was one of the quietest winter meetings in recent memory.

While there were no blockbuster deals, and the big three of Josh Hamilton, Zack Greinke and Michael Bourn all remain unsigned, that does not mean that the four-day stretch was without its significance.

Here is a look at the three biggest winners and losers of this year's winter meetings, as we look back at what happened this past week in Nashville.

Technically, open season on MLB free agents does not begin until the sixth day after the World Series concludes.

But you could forgive most fans for feeling like free agent season really began Friday night, with Josh Hamilton being booed off the field in his last two at-bats as the Texas Rangers bowed quietly to the Baltimore Orioles in the one-game playoff between the two American League wild cards.