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One of the most surprising developments of the MLB offseason was the Chicago Cubs' pursuit of free-agent pitcher Anibal Sanchez.

The Cubs' interest didn't result in signing Sanchez and adding him to the top of their starting rotation. But offering a five-year, $77 million contract did make a statement of purpose to the other 29 MLB teams and any players deciding where to take their talents. 

The Texas Rangers find themselves in a tough spot. They're running out of ways to make short-term upgrades, but they don't want to make any moves that would compromise their bright future.

If general manager Jon Daniels is overcome by an urge to shore up the club's short-term future, he's likely to do so with an impact trade rather than an impact free-agent signing. That's partially because the free-agent market now features fewer stars than a found footage movie.

At the MLB Free Agent Bar and Night Club, it is 1:50 a.m. The bartender rang the bell for last call 20 minutes ago, and the "ugly lights" just came up. For Ruben Amaro Jr. and the Philadelphia Phillies, there is still time to leave with someone...but the clock is ticking.

Most of the really prime targets have gone home with someone else.

The Cincinnati Reds won the National League Central in 2012, but the team still has some weaknesses entering the 2013 season.

After being up two games to none against the San Francisco Giants, then losing three straight games at home in Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati Reds fans and team members were left with a bitter taste in their mouths at the end of last season.

It’s been a long time since Roberto Alomar manned second base for the Toronto Blue Jays, and boy do they miss him. What was once a point of strength and consistency for the ballclub has become a revolving cast of players.

If the San Francisco Giants formula for success is as strong as it appears to be, they could have a run for their money coming from the St. Louis Cardinals over the next decade.

The cornerstone of the Giants success hasn’t come from blockbuster trades and massive free-agent splashes. It has come from two things, smart player acquisitions and some serious homegrown pitching.

This was an offseason where the New York Mets needed to upgrade at several positions.

It is January 1, however, and they have only managed to lose a 20-game winner in R.A. Dickey. Could their lack of infusion of talent actually benefit them in the future?

A case can be made that the Mets were best suited to not acquire one of the top-tiered free agents in order to provide the most roster flexibility entering 2014.

The Seattle Mariners need more offensive production if they are going to compete in the American League West.

What was anticipated as being a big offseason for the Seattle Mariners has been anything but. To this point, Seattle has re-signed pitchers Oliver Pérez and Hisashi Iwakuma, traded for Robert Andino and Kendrys Morales, and signed free-agent outfielders Jason Bay and Raúl Ibañez.