Fact: Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer won the NL Cy Young on Wednesday, joining Gaylord Perry, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens and Roy Halladay as the only pitchers to win the award in both leagues. Scherzer's other Cy Young came in 2013 with the Detroit Tigers.

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.

Ripped from the headlines!

Or…

Ripped from the headlines?

November 2016: Versatile Cubs slugger Kris Bryant named NL MVP.

November 2017: Cubs superstar Kris Bryant wins back-to-back NL MVPs.

November 2018: Cub-stock continues as NL MVP Kris Bryant three-peats!

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?

After missing most of the 2016 season due to injury, veteran starting pitcher Charlie Morton signed a two-year, $14 million free-agent deal with the Houston Astros on Wednesday. 

The Astros announced the signing, and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports revealed the terms.

Mistakes are inevitable. Everyone makes them, including general managers of MLB teams.

They come in all shapes and sizes. From overpaying for a free agent to trades general managers wish they hadn't made to ignoring a glaring need on the roster, errors occur far more often than even the most honest baseball insider cares to admit.

Major League Baseball free agency doesn't always set up great for everyone.

Of course, there are players whose outstanding 2016 seasons positioned them well for a big payday this winter. But there are also those whose campaigns took a divergent path.

A handful of players had forgettable 2016 seasons, making them reclamation projects for whichever teams elect to sign them. But some might be worth the risk. Many are poised to have bounce-back seasons.

Who might be worth taking a chance on in this winter's free agency?

The winter meetings are just a few short weeks away as the MLB offseason figures to kick into full swing during the annual league-wide congregation that will take place this year from Dec. 4-8 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Every offseason brings a unique crop of free agents and trade targets, but this winter in particular will be a unique one thanks to a barren starting pitching market.

On Wednesday, it will be once more unto the breach in the war between old-school and new-school MLB awards voters.

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.