MLB

Jerry Dipoto continues to put his stamp on the Seattle Mariners organization, as the new general manager is reportedly set to hire Scott Servais to succeed Lloyd McClendon as manager.  

The formula for a World Series title is simple at this point of the MLB playoffs for the three remaining teams—four more wins for the New York Mets, five more wins for the Kansas City Royals or six more wins for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Toronto Blue Jays’ continued resolve manifested a 7-1 victory in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Wednesday, keeping the Kansas City Royals close as the series shifts back to Kauffman Stadium.   

We've spent a lot of time the past few weeks identifying areas of need for each MLB team this coming offseason and establishing potential targets to address those needs both in free agency and on the trade market.

However, as you're well-aware, things don't always go according to plan when it comes to a team's offseason approach.

If it did, Jon Lester probably would have wound up signing with the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants last winter.

One win separates the Kansas City Royals from a World Series showdown with the New York Mets, but a stiff Game 6 test awaits the reigning American League champions.

Although the World Series is right around the corner, it's never too early to look ahead to free agency. 

That's especially true this season, as some of the game's biggest names will hit the market in pursuit of hefty paydays. Over the next few slides, we'll take a look at what types of contracts those top MLB free agents might command this winter. 

Multiple factors affect a player's value on the market:

The shake-up in Los Angeles has already started. 

The New York Mets didn’t want to leave any doubt in the minds of the casual fans. An 8-3 thrashing in Game 4 on Wednesday and a sweep of the Chicago Cubs meant they secured their place as the best team in the National League and a spot in the World Series.

After missing their chance to clinch a World Series berth on Wednesday, the Kansas City Royals return to Kauffman Stadium, where they have won their last three postseason games, with a chance to eliminate the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Friday. 

For the Toronto Blue Jays, Game 6 of the American League Championship Series—set for Friday at 8:07 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1—is a must-win. For the Kansas City Royals, it's a you-really-should-win.

Either way, to paraphrase a certain presidential candidate, it's going to be huge.