Kuzul

This off-season has already seen the three biggest free agents switch teams for the lure of a nine-figure contract, and two of the biggest names in the game traded to title contenders.

As more and more free agents agree to terms, we begin to see a clearer picture of what to expect next season.

Pitchers and catchers will begin reporting in less than two months and opening day is just over three months away.

With next season rapidly approaching, let’s take a moment to stare into my crystal ball and examine 50 bold predictions for the upcoming year.

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Carl Crawford, Cliff Lee and Jayson Werth have grabbed all the headlines with their lucrative nine-figure contracts, but many of this off-seasons free agents remain unsigned.

For some players like Adrian Beltre and Rafael Soriano, their big day is a foregone conclusion, but others won’t be so lucky. Whether due to age or declining skills, many players may have to wait until Spring Training to sign a contract, that is, if they can find work.

With that in mind, let’s examine 15 players who could have to wait until March before finding a new home for the season.

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In a desperate attempt to stay relevant, the Washington Nationals shocked the baseball world and handed out a colossal seven-year $126 million contract to Jayson Werth.

Certainly they are not the first overly ambitious team to overspend on a free agent, and they won’t be the last; but it does raise some interesting points.

Often times if a big-market team, with high expectations, fails to make the playoffs, the only possible move seems to be a free agent spending spree. Other times, irrelevant teams will make major moves in an effort to silence angry fans.

Whatever the reason, there have been countless examples of determined GMs working their magic, and here we take the time to examine the 19 most ambitious offseasons.

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This season the Washington Nationals shocked the baseball world by doling out an enormous seven-year, $126 million contract for Jayson Werth. The Nationals finished last in the division and, desperate to stay relevant, paid top-tier money to a second-tier star.

With Stephen Strasburg injured and Bryce Harper still years away from the show, GM Mike Rizzo was looking to maintain fan interest in the interim by signing this offseason’s No. 3 prize. But was it really worth it?

Often times bad teams are forced to pay premiums to acquire top-flight talent, which got me thinking. Which players have taken the biggest contracts with awful teams?

Read on as we examine Jayson Werth and 10 stars who took giant contracts with bad teams.

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Since signing Carl Crawford to a seven-year deal worth $142 million, last the Boston Red Sox have been the talk of the town. This massive signing comes on the heels of yet another blockbuster deal – one that sent Adrian Gonzalez to Boston in exchange for a trio of top prospects. 

The addition of these two all-star players to an offense that ranked second in runs last season makes Boston one of the top offenses in baseball. But are they the best?

Here we take the time to examine all 30 line-ups based on opening day projections. Although it is impossible to compare an NL team to their AL counterpart, please enjoy this list of the MLB’s top offensive line-ups.

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Last night the Boston Red Sox made their second major move of this off-season by signing former Rays OF Carl Crawford to a 7-year deal worth $142 million. The 29-year old Crawford will now join All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in a potent Red Sox line-up that could threaten the Yankees stranglehold over the AL East.

The signing is a crushing blow to the Angles who were thought by many to be the front-runner for Crawford’s services. Still, many of the big names free agents remain on the market including Cliff Lee, Adrian Beltre, Rafael Soriano, and Manny Ramirez.

Moreover, the Padres blockbuster deal of Adrian Gonzalez may not be the only big-time trade this off-season. Amongst the names being thrown around are Tampa Bay’s Matt Garza and 2009 Cy Young Winner Zack Greinke.

What’s the latest on off-season player movement? Where will the remaining free agents land? Read on to find out.

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Throughout MLB history there have been countless examples of irresponsible overspending. With no salary cap, general managers are able to throw money around like they’re playing Monopoly, only I’m not that careless while playing a game.

This is the sport that saw Alex Rodriguez sign two contracts valued at over a quarter billion dollars. A sport where eight teams have nine-figure payrolls. A sport where one player can out-earn an entire team.

So in the history of this lucrative sport, what are the most baffling signings? Which undeserving players have benefited the greatest?

With free agency ongoing, we could be adding to this list shortly, but for now, I present the 10 most shocking signings in MLB history.

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The off-season free agency frenzy has already begun, and so far we’ve seen only a handful of players switch teams. Dan Uggla was dealt to the Braves, Javier Vazquez returned to the NL, and Victor Martinez joined fellow countryman Miguel Cabrera in Detroit.

While unsigned free agents Cliff Lee, Adrian Beltre and Carl Crawford will make great impacts for their new teams, we can’t forget that there is more than one way to improve your team.

Here we take a look at eight trades that should happen this off-season for a variety of reasons. Whether it be due to salary concerns or an attempt to re-build with young players, some big names could be dealt this winter. Here are eight transactions that are both realistic and beneficial.

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Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke is reportedly willing to waive his no-trade clause to pitch in New York, Yahoo Sports has reported.

The report comes as a bit of a shock considering Greinke’s past bouts with depression and social anxiety disorder, but while it would seem that the pressure and spotlight would exacerbate this condition, Greinke provides an interesting alternative for the Yankees to signing Cliff Lee.

Could this move really happen? Read on as we examine the possibility.

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Through just two games and six at-bats in the 2010 NLCS, Cody Ross has hit an astounding three home runs.

Ross homered twice off Roy “Doc” Halladay, which is fascinating given the fact that Ross’ name backwards is “ssory doc” (sorry Doc).

Ross, who was claimed off waivers from Florida, has been one of the least likely playoff heroes in recent memory, which begs the question: Who is the most improbable postseason hero of all time?

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