MLB Rumors

As the 2014 MLB regular season approaches, teams begin to make calculated decisions regarding their rosters. Whether it's deciding which pitchers will earn the right to make the rotation or which players will make the Opening Day roster, each are equally as difficult.

The news that surrounds teams at this point in the year is not always positive. Devastating injuries, unexpected trades and baffling roster moves plague the league.

While Stephen Drew, Ervin Santana and Kendrys Morales are still free agents as February comes to a close, the rest of Major League Baseball is in the full swing of spring training.

Step by step, the MLB offseason riddle is beginning to come together as the game's top remaining players pick landing spots.

Every prospect feels pressure to surpass expectations upon reaching the major leagues. After all, if the player is a high-profile prospect, then chances are he’s already viewed as a potential franchise cornerstone.

However, that’s nothing compared to the pressure felt by a prospect tabbed for an everyday role in The Show to begin a season. Such a scenario usually involves prospects that have at least tasted the major leagues—guys who understand what’s at stake and will do everything in their power to relish the opportunity.

The Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes have officially taken over baseball headlines. But the question remains: Is he worth all the hype?

Get your popcorn ready, folks.

When it comes to the free-agent tour for Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, expect a whirlwind of rumors, news and excitement over the next two weeks. By the end of January, the top pitcher on the market will pick a team, starting a domino effect for the rest of baseball's available players.

The big names may be mostly off the board, but there is still a vibrant free-agency market out there for teams trying to fill various holes on their rosters.

From a pitcher from Japan many teams are salivating over to a trio of veterans who could improve teams at the right cost, baseball's free-agency period continues to rumble along.

Let's take a look at a few rumors making the rounds.

Masahiro Tanaka

As the year that saw the Boston Red Sox win their third World Series Championship in 10 years winds to a close, fans and analysts are wondering what the franchise will do to back up their crown in 2014.

Boston has been relatively quiet this offseason, as shown by the team's transactions provided by CBS Sports.

While there are still a number of MLB free agents available, most of the top options are already off of the market. This has caused teams around the league to look toward trades to improve the roster for next season.

Of course, franchises are smart enough to avoid giving away a player for nothing. This will keep potential deals from moving quickly as the negotiation process continues through the start of the regular season.

The MLB rumor mill tends to slow around the holiday season, but as Zach Links of MLB Trade Rumors noted, sometimes baseball executives and agents are fiddling on their phones during family functions while discussing possible deals.