The seemingly annual wait between the opening of Major League Baseball free agency and the time when players of consequence start signing is upon us, and it shows little sign of breaking. For all of those dreaming of an imminent Juan Soto deal, feel free to wake up. It's not happening before December. To others focused on when Roki Sasaki will arrive, embrace patience, because that will be even later: not until after Jan. 15, in the next international amateur signing period.
Until the movement picks up, the offseason is a time for hope. Teams expected to be active this winter hope the free agency and trade landscapes unfold in their favor. Players hope the market treats them well. And fans hope that in the time between now and mid-February, they're given reason to cheer.
Every team has an offseason checklist. Some, such as the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves, need a slight retool. Others, like the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants, are a few smart moves away from contention. And while the Los Angeles Dodgers are always in the middle of everything, they are so loaded -- and basking in the afterglow of a World Series win -- that a winter without marquee additions wouldn't have a demonstrable effect on their repeat chances.
Instead, our focus here is on the teams for whom this winter is paramount. Some are good. Some are not. What follows is a dozen clubs whose hot-stove maneuvering is particularly fascinating, and the perfect move for each -- starting with the team with the most to lose when it comes to the biggest free agent in the class.
