Preview/Prediction

Offseason rumors tend to look like a stock car race.

There are early front-runners, of course. And those teams linked to players in the early stages of the offseason do, quite frequently, end up acquiring said player.

But like any great stock car race, there’s jostling for position. Teams one-up each other, whether in the trade or free-agent markets. Trailing teams often make a last-minute effort and land a player, which nets baseball its share of offseason surprises.

Last week, Bleacher Report's Seth Gruen wrote that a lack of big free agents will make this year's hot-stove league feel like the trade deadline. After what we've seen and heard over the past week, we can say that's a fact.

All 30 MLB teams have holes to fill this offseason, but for teams set to lose one of the market's marquee free agents, those holes are a bit more glaring.

How will the Toronto Blue Jays replace Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, a duo that has been among the most dangerous in all of baseball over the past several seasons?

Major League Baseball's signing season hasn't ramped up just yet, but there's plenty of chatter floating around that could serve as a good indicator of where several of the market's most coveted players will land.

From corner outfielders to relievers on the comeback trail and ageless designated hitters, there are free agents aplenty who can help contenders make leaps in 2017.

The 2016 MLB Rookie of the Year awards were handed out Monday night, making this the perfect time to look ahead to who might make up next year's crop of candidates for the honor.

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager was a unanimous selection in the National League, while Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer took home the American League award, per BBWAA.com.

So who's next?

Hot-stove season is upon us, which means trade rumors are starting to fly at a fast and furious pace as teams across Major League Baseball seek to retool their rosters and gear up for title runs in 2017. 

And with big names like Andrew McCutchen and Miguel Cabrera surfacing in advance of this year's winter meetings, the rumor mill shouldn't stop churning anytime soon. 

The 2016-17 MLB offseason is already picking up steam here midway through the month of November, with a number of significant moves already made, as detailed by Spotrac.

As the Chicago Cubs' celebration over a century in the making wraps up, MLB has quickly shifted to offseason mode.

All 30 teams will waste no time mapping out their winter blueprints in preparation for 2017. Birds have started chirping about baseball's hottest free agents, but not everyone has enough cash to spend. Even those who do would still like to pawn off recent signings for newer models.

Every MLB team has a different set of goals and a different path it will follow this offseason to improve heading into 2017, but one thing is for sure: Everyone has work to do.

Whether it is adding a player to upgrade a specific area of weakness, re-signing a key player in free agency, selling high on a trade chip or extending an in-house player, there is lots to be done before the start of spring training. 

Players who have never made an appearance at MLB's All-Star Game need not apply, for our sights are set on the rumors and speculation surrounding some big names as the second week of baseball's offseason rolls along.

Chatter like this is what makes the hot stove league as interesting and exciting as the actual on-field action during the regular season. The possibilities are endless, and fans of even the most downtrodden teams can dream of a big move (or two) that might thrust their favorite club back into the spotlight.