The 2014-2015 MLB offseason is coming down the homestretch, but there are still more than a few things to be sorted out between now and the time pitchers and catchers start to report to spring training roughly a month from now.
The biggest story here in mid-January is when and where front-line starters Max Scherzer and James Shields will wind up signing. Their eventual decisions will undoubtedly shift the balance of power one way or another, and the baseball world continues to hold its collective breath.
That being said, there is not much in the way of fresh news to report regarding either pitcher, so we won’t waste time rehashing all of the old rumors regarding both pitchers.
Instead, what follows is a look at five other interesting storylines worth keeping an eye on in the week ahead, as there are other significant decisions to be made outside of those awaiting Scherzer and Shields.