Opinion

A former general manager in Philadelphia has become the first base coach in Boston (Ruben Amaro), a former GM who became an interim manager in Miami was fired and told he couldn't return to his old GM job that had been promised (Dan Jennings), and the GM who pulled off a second-half miracle in Toronto (Alex Anthopoulos) walked away from a five-year extension offer because he couldn't stomach work

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a few priorities to address this winter. The list begins with hiring a new manager. Elsewhere, there's what to do about star right fielder/everlasting headache Yasiel Puig.

There's an old—and erroneous—cliche about the Chinese symbol for "crisis" being the same as the one for "opportunity."

In the case of the Boston Red Sox, truer words were never spoken.

The Washington Nationals needed wholesale coaching changes, and they got them this week.

First, on Tuesday, Dusty Baker was named Washington's new manager. And on Wednesday, the team announced the hiring of Mike Maddux as its pitching coach.

The Toronto Blue Jays have a new team president, and some big additions are to be expected. A slight change in franchise culture could be on deck as well, and one free agent who would match their needs nicely is starting pitcher Johnny Cueto. 

The MLB trade market may not really heat up until the big names in free agency are signed, sealed and delivered, but there are still rumors already making the rounds about several players.

Let's break down some of the juicier buzz. 

Clay Buchholz, SP, Boston Red Sox

Free agency always goes into the Major League Baseball offseason as the belle of the winter ball, snatching the headlines and hogging the discussions and debates during the fall. 

With this offseason’s crop of starting pitchers and power hitters, that early trend will spike in the days after the World Series and into the start of free agency.

Prospective MLB suitors, meet Justin Upton—outfielder, All-Star, enigma. Got your checkbooks out?

Seriously, you should get them out. Because we're talking about a 28-year-old with wheels, a strong arm and 30-home run power. Those players don't come around every offseason, not in today's pitching-dominated climate.

The Kansas City Royals won the World Series by beating the New York Mets in five games to end the 2015 MLB season.

The New York Mets made it all the way to the World Series in their first postseason appearance since 2006 and have to find a way to get back there next year.