MLB free agency is about a week old now and there still hasn’t been much action. But expect that to heat up with 13 players declining their respective qualifying offers on Tuesday, per Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, cementing the dynamics of the offseason market.
Big free agent names like Robinson Cano, Jacoby Ellsbury and Japanese righty Masahiro Tanaka will likely garner the most media attention this winter, but keep your ear to the ground for low-profile signings that could have big impacts in 2014.
When the Red Sox signed Jonny Gomes to a two-year deal last November, it hardly made blip on the MLB free agency radar. Eleven months later, it proved to be one of the best signings by Boston general manager Ben Cherington, as Gomes played a major role in reshaping the culture of the clubhouse and delivered in the clutch, helping the Sox win their third World Series title in 10 seasons.
Before the flurry of MLB free agency takes hold, let’s take a look at some of the hidden gems on the market this winter.