MLB

Dexter Fowler, Ian Desmond, Yovani Gallardo and Howie Kendrick have a lot in common.

They're all quality big leaguers, and they're all unemployed. That second similarity is a product of that nasty draft-pick compensation they're lugging around after declining qualifying offers from their old employers.

The New York Mets played in the World Series last year, and third baseman David Wright believes that success is helping the team lure big-name players such as outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, per Adam Schein of CBS Sports (via Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com):

Michael Brantley's terrific 2015 season ended on Sept. 28 after he suffered a small tear to the labrum on his non-throwing shoulder. He eventually had surgery to repair the injury. It remains unclear if he'll be ready for the start of the 2016 season. 

Continue for updates. 

Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton is recovering from a torn labrum he suffered back in September.

Continue for updates.  

Hamilton On Track for Spring Training

Thursday, Jan. 28

Hamilton updated Mark Sheldon of MLB.com on the progress of his right shoulder, which he had surgically repaired during the offseason.

The Milwaukee Brewers bolstered their outfield depth Thursday via a trade.

The team announced on Twitter it acquired outfielder Rymer Liriano from the San Diego Padres in exchange for minor league pitcher Trevor Seidenberger. The Brewers designated outfielder Shane Peterson for assignment as well.

The Tampa Bay Rays plugged a major hole in their outfield Thursday, acquiring Corey Dickerson and third baseman Kevin Padlo from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for pitchers Jake McGee and German Marquez, the Rockies announced.

Doug Fister is fresh off arguably the most difficult season of his career, and he is ready to change directions.

With just about three weeks to go before pitchers and catchers begin reporting to spring training, the baseball season draws ever closer. Yet a number of notable free agents remain unsigned, which—you'd think—would lead to a flurry of activity in the days ahead.

Yet the rumor mill has remained silent in regard to many of those players. Whether it's because teams are at their payroll limits or choosing to hold onto some disposable income for later, when injuries could require them to make a substantial addition, there's not much cash available for those free agents.

As we get ready for the start of spring training in less than a month, now is the time that top prospect lists are unveiled around the baseball world.

Prospects are generally ranked on a team-by-team basis to show how each farm system stacks up and then on a league-wide basis to give an idea of how the top young players in the minor leagues compare as they make their way toward the majors.

However, we're going to do something a little different here.

Of ESPN's first 10 announced Sunday Night Baseball telecasts for 2016, five feature either the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox. Three feature the Yankees and the Red Sox.