Fan News

The Boston Red Sox made several free-agent signings so far this offseason. The moves have transformed the team from losers to borderline contenders in 2013.

However, if Ben Cherington truly wants to get back to playing in October, he will have to make at least one significant trade.

The Red Sox still have holes to fill for both the short and long term.

Fortunately, the farm system seems to be somewhat stocked with talent that is close to major league-ready.

This talent allows them to make trades for impact players.

What a long way the Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation has come this offseason.

Three fifths of the projected rotation for 2013 has been acquired via trade.

Right-handed pitcher Junichi Tazawa was a rare bright spot last season in the bullpen for the Boston Red Sox, giving every sign of being the team’s closer of the future.

The Texas Rangers have been in the market for an impact bat all offseason. They have been in discussions with the Arizona Diamondbacks regarding Justin Upton for what appears to be months now. As the months go by, Arizona continues to flip-flop on trading Upton.

Fans of MLB teams in seven cities are buzzing with offseason excitement.

They are debating the order of a lineup featuring new faces and discussing the realignment of a fresh-starting rotation and bullpen.

What has turned out to be a very active MLB offseason has shaken (not stirred) the rosters of nearly all 30 teams and, in some cases, raised expectations to astronomical levels.

What will happen in Los Angeles if the Dodgers miss the playoffs?

The 2013 MLB season will provide plenty of day-to-day excitement, but we shouldn't forget about the teams and individuals who will gradually approach records as the summer wears on.

Several pursuits attest more to loyalty than skill. Challengers to the following franchise records, for example, have reached free agency multiple times during their careers, only to re-sign with familiar clubs.

The Colorado Rockies are trying to piece together a pitching staff. Freddy Garcia is a free agent pitcher looking for work. The Rockies and Garcia very well might be a match this off season.

According to the Twitter feed of Troy Renck, Denver Post Rockies writer, Colorado is looking at low risk free agents, including Garcia.

The Cincinnati Reds have made strides this offseason to ensure their chances for yet another NL Central title. Though those strides may have filled some holes, such as that at leadoff, some of them have also weakened the team in other areas.

These may not be considered major deficiencies in the Reds' lineup, but they will still create challenges that the team must overcome during the 2013 season.

The 2013 MLB Hall of Fame class has been all over the news lately.

The announcement comes Wednesday, Jan. 9., and this year marks the first time that the some of the game's greatest but also most controversial players—Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, and Curt Schilling—are eligible to be elected.

MLB Network has brought in everybody and their mother to give their two cents on who should be elected and how the era should be evaluated based on the prevalence of performance enhancing drugs.

Major League Baseball has lasted this long without a salary cap, and I wouldn't count on the league implementing one anytime soon. There's a lot of money being pumped into baseball thanks to both national and local television deals, and this money will allow all teams to spend like never before.

But should they? Do ever-increasing payrolls actually make a difference, or does it all end up being wasted money?