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15 storylines to watch for heading into the MLB offseason
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

15 storylines to watch for heading into the MLB offseason

While it would be nice to have a bit of a breather after one of the most breakneck postseasons in recent memory, there is no rest for weary (or the pennant hungry). As baseball's on-field act ends, a hectic sprint into the winter is already underway.

With various general managers around the game huddled together this week prior to the bigger winter meetings that follow early next month, the MLB calendar has officially turned to hot stove season. Between a beefed-up free agent market, some potentially monumental trades and even a Hall of Fame ballot that is likely to be hotly debated, there is plenty of action to come before the spring breaks in Arizona and Florida again.

Here's a look at 15 of the hottest storylines to keep an eye on for the MLB offseason.

 
1 of 15

The Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes is underway — or is it?

The Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes is underway — or is it?
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest name being discussed in the early stages of the offseason is that of the man who often swung the biggest bat last season. Fresh off his 59-homer campaign, Stanton is the largest name being shopped around on the trade market this winter. With new management in Miami looking to cut costs, the obvious place to start is by shopping Stanton and, more importantly, the $295 million that is left due to him. The Cardinals, Giants and Red Sox are among the clubs said to be the most interested in obtaining the services of the game’s preeminent slugger, but a full no-trade clause is a massive roadblock along the way to assuring that he’ll make anywhere besides Miami his home by next spring.

 
2 of 15

Derek Jeter’s Miami makeover

Derek Jeter’s Miami makeover
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of the Marlins, it is the first winter under the watch of the new management team led by Derek Jeter. Miami's stated desire is to cut some costs from the previous ownership, which may mean the Fish could be the top supplier of premium trade talent in the game this winter. Aside from Stanton, the Marlins are reportedly open to fielding offers on Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich, Dee Gordon, Brad Ziegler and Justin Bour. With a goal of dropping payroll close to $100 million by opening day, Miami's intentional losses could mean huge gains for many others.

 
3 of 15

The Shohei Otani arrival is imminent

The Shohei Otani arrival is imminent
Masterpress-Getty Images

The uncertainty on when the top star in Japan would be available is cleared up, as the 23-year-old two-way star is set to make his way to the U.S. by next year. With limitations on international spending enforced by the new collective bargaining agreement, Otani’s courtship will be an interesting one. Only eight teams can offer over $1 million in bonus compensation for Otani, with the Rangers leading the pack with just over $3.5 million available. While that could limit the upper realms of his market, in theory any team could bid for his services via a $20 million posting fee to his former club in Japan. Due to the low ceiling of compensation for him, Otani’s market could be the widest seen for an elite free agent in many years — and for many years to come.

 
4 of 15

Could next winter impact this one?

Could next winter impact this one?
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

While this year’s free agent and trade markets are much more fertile than last winter’s offerings, they still pale in comparison to what awaits next year. With Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Andrew McCutchen Dallas Keuchel, Josh Donaldson and many more awaiting potentially reaching free agency after the 2018 season, could teams be less willing to spend big on the open market this winter, instead opting to stash away their dough for next year?

 
5 of 15

A big winter for Scott Boras

A big winter for Scott Boras
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

November through the new year is always a busy season for power broking agent Scott Boras, but this year in particular he has his hand firmly around the direction of the market. With Eric Hosmer, Jake Arrieta, Mike Moustakas, Greg Holland and J.D. Martinez in his stable, the vast majority of the top free agents require going through Boras to bring aboard. With his propensity for pitting his negotiations against each other, it could be a very deliberate pace.

 
6 of 15

The Red Sox are fed up and preparing to spend like it

The Red Sox are fed up and preparing to spend like it
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

After adding David Price, Craig Kimbrel, Chris Sale, Drew Pomeranz and Rick Porcello in the past two years, the Red Sox have gone just 1-6 in the postseason over the past two years. Never one to shy away from making winter waves, Boston could stand to be even more aggressive than in years past, especially in regard to waking up its offensive potential. Any one — or more — of J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, Yonder Alonso, Logan Morrison, Eduardo Nunez, Marcell Ozuna and (of course) Giancarlo Stanton could find his way toward Fenway.

 
7 of 15

Who is this year’s mystery team?

Who is this year’s mystery team?
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Every winter there is a team that seemingly comes out of nowhere to insert itself into hot stove season. From Albert Pujols heading to Anaheim to Arizona scooping up Zack Greinke or Robinson Cano becoming a Mariner, there is always the wild card waiting to insert itself into the fray. While the mystery team is called that for a reason, there may be good reason to keep an eye on the Twins, Brewers, Phillies, Mets and Giants.

 
8 of 15

How will the Nationals gear up for Bryce Harper's contract year?

How will the Nationals gear up for Bryce Harper's contract year?
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

If Bryce Harper does indeed leave the nation’s capital after this year, this winter represents the last chance the club will have to build as strong of a team as possible to make a run for the World Series. While the lineup is still stacked and will see a return from Adam Eaton, along with an always potent rotation, making some final touch additions — mainly a lights-out closer — could go a long way toward giving the team its best shot at one final run. And who knows, maybe the Nats can do enough to convince Harper to stay.

 
9 of 15

A busy year for the Hall of Fame

A busy year for the Hall of Fame
Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

As the 1990s and 2000s continue to weave their way into the fabric of Cooperstown, the class of 2018 could keep voters busy. Vladimir Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman, each of whom fell just short of election last year, will be joined by first-timers Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel, Scott Rolen and Andruw Jones, along with a modern-day veterans class that include Jack Morris, Alan Trammell and Marvin Miller, among others. It could be a busy day when Class of 2018 is announced in January.

 
10 of 15

Could the Cardinals break rank and spend big?

Could the Cardinals break rank and spend big?
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Although their preferred method of operation has been to succeed via promotion from within, the Cardinals have been more willing to bid and spend in recent years. After missing the postseason for consecutive years for the first time in nearly a decade, they have been widely anticipated to be among the most active dealers and spenders this year to they shore up a roster that needs a bolt of life. Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, Yu Darvish and Eric Hosmer are just a handful of the big names that have circled the club’s radar so far, while the Cards possess one of the most attractive (and accessible) cadres of prospects in the game.

 
11 of 15

Will the Giants make up for time lost?

Will the Giants make up for time lost?
Kenny Karst-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants stumbled to their worst season since 1985 in 2017, just a year after claiming the NL Wild Card spot. The question is not if the Giants will be aggressive in rallying their cause this winter — rather it is to what extent they will go. With clear needs at third base, in the bullpen and across the outfield, their shortcomings are very much tailored to being fixed with a spending spree in this year free agent market. A revived San Francisco club could complete, further bolstering the NL West as the best division in baseball.

 
12 of 15

Is it a turning point for the Yankees?

Is it a turning point for the Yankees?
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

After an inspirational run to and throughout the postseason, the Yankees' offseason got off to a tumultuous start with the firing of Joe Girardi. As their search to name a new manager carries on, the question that begs to be answered is how it will impact the strides forward the team took in 2017. A future that stands to be built around Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius and a deadly bullpen looks promising, but it could hinge on what type of rotation new management inherits, as well as how quickly the manager takes to the job. Among others, the Yankees have a great chance at making a bid for the services of Shohei Otani to join his countryman Masahiro Tanaka and deadline acquisition Sonny Gray in the Yankee rotation.

 
13 of 15

A rebuild for the Royals

A rebuild for the Royals
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

It comes as no surprise that the 2018 Royals will look much different than the recent incarnations of the club with Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, Jason Vargas, Alcides Escobar, Melky Cabrera and Mike Minor all set to reach free agency. The biggest question that lingers is how different will it look by spring training. K.C. is all but certain to lose two-thirds of the Hosmer/Cain/Moustakas trio. The early priority appears to be keeping Hosmer aboard, as he could stand to be the highest paid player in franchise history. Regardless of how things play out, nothing will be close to the same in K.C.

 
14 of 15

How can the Cubs play catch-up?

How can the Cubs play catch-up?
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It was a tale of two halves for the Cubs, who rallied late in the year to claim a second straight NL Central title but fell short of returning to the World Series. If they are to keep their contending window wide open, their focus this winter will need to be on upgrading both ends of the pitching staff. This could vary between looking to retain Jake Arrieta and/or Wade Davis or getting into play for Yu Darvish and another starter, while potentially trading for a ninth-inning option such as Baltimore’s Zach Britton. Theo Epstein is rarely shy about making the necessary big move, and it is needed in a number of ways this winter.

 
15 of 15

Andrew McCutchen offseason melee, take 2

Andrew McCutchen offseason melee, take 2
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Last winter, the Pirates did their best to drive up interest in their then-floundering superstar but to no avail. After a resurgent season for McCutchen in which he had 28 home runs, an .849 OPS and 94 runs scored, confidence could be restored enough for a deal to be completed this time as Cutch enters the final year of his deal. The Pirates could be content to keep him into the season, but for teams that are apprehensive to the cost of J.D. Martinez or Lorenzo Cain, McCutchen could offer an upgrade — for much less guaranteed time on the books.

Matt Whitener is St. Louis-based writer, radio host and 12-6 curveball enthusiast. He has been covering Major League Baseball since 2010, and dabbles in WWE, NBA and other odd jobs as well. Follow Matt on Twitter at @CheapSeatFan.

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