Kuzul

Anytime a young player makes his way toward his first crack at free agency, there is no doubt a sense of urgency about getting a big deal done.

San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley finds himself in that very situation right now, just a year away from free agency.

Headley has had a strong start to his career, and his productivity peaked this past season to the tune of 31 home runs and a league-leading 115 RBI.

He’s seen his on-base and slugging percentages increase in each of the past three seasons and has rounded out his game with more solid play in the field.

All of that would seemingly be enough for the San Diego Padres to take advantage of an opportunity to get a head start on signing their lone star to a long-term deal that could help set the team in the right direction of a rebuilding process.

The team did avoid arbitration with Headley in agreeing to a one-year deal worth $8.6 million, but that clearly isn’t what the third baseman had in mind (via the San Diego Union-Tribune):

“We talked about a long-term contract briefly at the start of these negotiations. It was a quick discussion. We weren’t on the same page right from the start. This close to free agency, it has to be a good deal for us. You can’t sacrifice what’s fair.”

If Headley starts off the 2013 season where he left off, his price will no doubt continue to soar, potentially pricing the Padres out of the picture in a long-term deal.

This close to the start of the season it’s seemingly unlikely that a trade would get done during spring training, but if his free-agent value increases, his trade value would go in the same direction.

In a league chock full of third baseman, there may not be many teams eager to jump at the opportunity to dump top prospects, but the notion of having Headley in the hot corner is something worth looking into.

The Minnesota Twins could be a potential destination for Headley if it comes to this, as they’re heading into spring training with a less-than-consistent option in Trevor Plouffe.

Luckily for Plouffe, he can maneuver around the infield if necessary and has spent plenty of time in the outfield as well.

There’s also the fact that the Twins have the best power-hitting prospect in baseball in third baseman Miguel Sano; however, his inability to field consistently could mean a move to first base, a place he’d fit in with Justin Morneau in the final year of his deal with the Twins.

Perhaps the most likely landing spot for Headley, however, is Yankee Stadium, where the Bronx Bombers have already had interest in the third baseman as recently as last summer.

With the situation surrounding Alex Rodriguez‘s future in New York seemingly changing by the minute, the Yankees would no doubt love to secure another long-term option at the position.

Rodriguez is still owed over $100 million before his contract expires, but reports have surfaced this week that the team is looking at options to possibly void his contract amid the connections to PED injections at a clinic in south Florida.

Ridding themselves of the contract is certainly an uphill battle, and even though earlier this week it was mentioned that he may be working on a retirement package, A-Rod quickly refuted that claim (via the New York Daily News, h/t NESN).

Nobody expects that a trade would be imminent, but with the possibility of a free-agent battle looming next winter, that could change at any moment.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

New stadiums are taking shape in a number of different ways, continuing to evolve the game-day experience. Despite that, the older stadiums are in no way slighted, as they too have their own unique features that set them apart.

Some of these features are the most longstanding and notable in baseball, while others are newer and represent the birth of tradition as stadiums are erected.

Since there are many stadiums I haven’t set foot in, feel free to chime in with anything I may not be aware of at stadiums across the league.

At any rate, here are some of the best attractions in MLB stadiums near you.

Begin Slideshow

With a surplus of players who could fit the bill as a major league catcher, the Boston Red Sox find themselves in the rare position of strength heading into spring training.

There haven’t been any active discussions pertaining to the notion of trading a player like Jarrod Saltalamacchia as of yet, but with a strong enough spring training, the Red Sox may opt to see what they can get for the free agent-to-be.

2012 was Saltalamacchia‘s most successful offensive campaign, with 25 home runs and 59 RBI in 121 games—104 of which were behind the plate.

He unfortunately also struggles with his eye at the plate, with at least 120 strikeouts over his past two seasons and on-base percentages nowhere near .300.

Even if the team does deem there to be enough reason to move him, they then need to find a team that could offer a feasible package in return.

The Seattle Mariners‘ patience with Justin Smoak may be running thin, meaning they could be willing to take on a proven major league catcher in exchange. Yet with catching prospect Mike Zunino working his way up the team’s organization, Saltalamacchia may not be a long-term need.

A national league team seemingly in need of help in most areas are the Marlins, who have spent much of the offseason unloading anyone of value.

The catchers on their roster are young backstops who have little or no major league experience, and Jeff Mathis, a perennial backup who has never played more than 100 games in a season.

An unlikely but perhaps viable destination for Saltalamacchia may actually be Minnesota, where the Twins already have the highest-paid catcher in the league in Joe Mauer.

With $23 million owed to Mauer annually through 2018, there’s no doubt that he’ll be the focal point of their offense for years to come.

Mauer has, however, had his share of struggles staying healthy and has actually only once caught more than 120 games in his nine seasons with the Twins.

He caught only 74 games last season, and with the prospect of Justin Morneau entering free agency after this season, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see Mauer gradually transition to seeing more action at first base.

The Red Sox may ultimately end up signing Saltalamacchia for the long term, but with catcher representing one of the most important positions on the field, there shouldn’t be a shortage of suitors if they seriously pursue the notion of moving him.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

It’s hard to believe the offseason is almost over, with just a month separating us from spring training action for all our favorite teams.

Every team will have it’s share of new faces when opening day finally arrives, but the fan favorites that have been leading their teams for years now are no doubt a focal point for the casual observer.

Here are some players in every franchise that hear their fair share of cheers any time they take the field for their home fans.

Begin Slideshow

With right around a month separating us from spring training, there have to be some positive feelings amongst Boston Red Sox fans heading into 2013 as the team has made a number of moves to improve their roster in the improving AL East.

Between the addition of Ryan Dempster to the starting rotation and Joel Hanrahan as the team’s closer, the pitching staff has gotten a jolt after seeing Josh Beckett depart last summer.

In the lineup, Shane Victorino should play a key role in the Red Sox outfield, while Mike Napoli could give the offense some much needed pop—if they can ever finalize his contract.

Closing the deal for Napoli would likely mark the biggest financial commitment they’d make for the remainder of the offseason, but another signing could prove to be just as big in a number of other ways.

As Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe pointed out during a recent Q&A with fans, he wouldn’t be opposed to the notion—since the team is already looking at Bobby Abreu

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

With the MLB offseason ramping up as the year comes to an end, teams are making their final moves leading into spring training, and the Boston Red Sox are no exception as they continue to position themselves for another run at the AL East.

Mike Napoli was an early signing of the Red Sox and represented a strong offensive option that could change the game in an instant, but the move has since come into question after an issue with his hip is holding up the finalization of the deal.

In the interim, the Sox continue to search for the best options to help the team in 2013, something that could very well mean moving past Napoli, with free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche possibly taking his place.

It’s too early to tell what will ultimately happen with Napoli and the Boston Red Sox, as his hip problems could very well be a tipping point that puts a halt to his days in Fenway before they even start.

The possibility of having Napoli around for three years could be a risk if health issues come back into play, yet another reason signing LaRoche could be a more responsible option.

He’s been seeking a three-year deal this offseason, but to this point LaRoche hasn’t seen more than a two-year offer, something he might end up settling for when all is said and done.

If Boston could get him to agree to a deal lasting only through 2014, it’d open up the team’s options down the road while still locking down a solid two-way player in the interim.

Contractual issues aside, there is definitely some benefit in having a player like Napoli on board when you consider the fact that he can be a solid defensive option at two positions.

Napoli has spent a good amount of time at first base as well as behind the backstop, and while LaRoche has been used solely as a first baseman, he’s a better defensive option there.

In signing LaRoche, the Red Sox can run with Jarrod Saltalamacchia behind the plate and have a first baseman who’s posted a .995 career fielding percentage at the position.

With the catcher position ranking as the most physically taxing, the hip issue has been the most recent stumbling block for Napoli and needs to be addressed, though it definitely isn’t his first health run-in.

He’s been on the disabled list five times during his career, and with Napoli playing in fewer than 120 games in six of his seven seasons in the league, it’s hard to hedge your bets on a player that may only play in 75 percent of your games.

LaRoche, on the other hand, has had a relatively strong track record for health. He played in only 43 games in 2011, but aside from that had averaged nearly 150 games played in his past seven seasons.

The Red Sox’s interest in LaRoche could very well be the tipping point the Washington Nationals need to complete their deal, something that could give Napoli some leverage.

Either option would be a solid addition for the Red Sox, but with a vastly improved division ahead of them, Boston would be wise to ensure that the signings it makes this offseason carry with them the best chances for paying off all season long.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Fresh off a trade that sent reigning NL Cy Young Award-winner R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Mets are pursuing replacement options that can help them get back on track in the NL East.

There was a certain amount of interest in signing Francisco Liriano, but that was put to bed on Friday when the Pittsburgh Pirates inked the lefty to a two-year deal.

Liriano may not be the only pitcher on the Mets radar, however, as former New York Yankee and Minnesota Twin Carl Pavano could possibly find his way back into the Big Apple.

Pavano pitched for the Yankees from 2005-2008, though he sat out the entire 2006 season and left a bad mark on NYC after making only 26 starts in the pinstripes while still taking home $38 million.

It was in Minnesota that Pavano was able to resurrect his career somewhat, going 17-11 in his first full season with the Twins (2010), earning a two-year contract worth $15 million.

He battled injuries throughout 2012 and would make only 11 starts for, and with the Twins shuffling their rotation this offseason, it’s becoming clear that Target Field will no longer be Pavano’s home.

Depending on what the Mets plans are in the NL East in 2013, a deal for Pavano could make sense.

As Phil Mackey of ESPN1500 tweeted earlier this month, MLB execs believe that the only contract Pavano will get would include a low base salary with performance incentives.

This would bode well for the Mets, as their handling of contract negotiations with Dickey is a clear sign that they’re reluctant to hand out big dollars even to a pitcher that’s proven to be at the top of his game, let alone one who’s had a career hampered by injuries and subpar performances.

Pavano started his career in the National League as a member of the Montreal Expos. After enjoying his best days as a major leaguer with the Florida Marlins, Pavano moved to the American League in 2005 and has been in the AL ever since.

Age is another factor the Mets need to take into consideration. Pavano will turn 37 before spring training gets underway, further diminishing his chances of signing a multi-year deal.

Beyond Johan Santana and Jonathon Niese, the Mets have plenty of room for improvement in their starting rotation, and while Pavano may prove to be a budget-friendly move, there really aren’t many benefits to committing salary to a pitcher that hasn’t done anything worthwhile in nearly three years.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

With the 2013 Hall of Fame announcements just a matter of weeks away, it’s easy to look back at all the past players who have been inducted into Cooperstown as they represent the best the game has ever seen and will forever be enshrined in history.

But what about those who don’t have a plaque in Cooperstown? There are many players who could arguably be in the Hall of Fame, but for one reason or another they’ve been left off the final ballots and remain on the outside looking in.

Here are some of the best former players that haven’t—and in some cases won’t—get the call to join baseball’s best in Cooperstown.

Note: Slideshow does not include first-time ballot players (Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza).

Begin Slideshow

MLB free agency is kicking into high gear in December, with some big names finally inking their new deals, leaving the remainder of the available players to feel out the market in an effort to maximize their return.

For all the deals that have been completed, however, there are teams left behind with packages that just weren’t enough to bring in that top target.

The free agent market is still flooded with talent, and though these teams might be moving onto Plan B, there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic about moves that can still be made.

Here are some of the top signings, trades and rumors from the past week.

Begin Slideshow

The MLB winter meetings may have left baseball fans with more questions than answers as a number of top names still have yet to find new homes, but that will only add drama to the coming months leading up to spring training.

The  biggest free-agent names will get all the attention. But while closers like Rafael Soriano, Joakim Soria and Jose Valverde have made headlines, they’re not the only relievers who could make a difference next season.

There are a number of late-inning options who may not receive the accolades of their counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be just as effective.

Here are five who fit that description.

Begin Slideshow