This off-season, there have been a few clear signals from teams on the verge of being highly competitive.
The Angels and Phillies have strongly indicated that they will be sitting out this free agent market. They do not want to add to existing high payrolls. In fact, they would like to shed some high cost talent. The Phillies are willing to trade anyone on their roster, including Cole Hammels, for the right deal (at least three top prospects). The Dodgers also seem to want to pare back their excess outfield talent under new team President Friedman.
The Mariners, Red Sox, Yankees and Rangers appear poised to make a run at bolstering their teams. The Rangers have a protected top draft pick so they could have their cake and it eat it to by signing a top free agent (who refused a qualifying offer). Likewise, the Tigers will get at least one supplemental first round pick for losing a quality free agent to another team (Max Scherzer). The Yankees have been playing possum this off-season, which means that they will make a run at the top guys. The Red Sox always seem to be circling for an acquisition.
The national media is convinced the Cubs will make a splash, but I don't think so. The Cubs are still filling the kiddy pool with water.
The Mariners have been spending money in recent years, but have not come to critical mass. The rumor is that the team will go after Hanley Ramirez and Victor Martinez, two older players, which means that 2015 projects to an "all in" season for Seattle. Detroit is in a similar position: so close, yet so far away from that desperate championship. If the Tigers lose Martinez and Scherzer, then they will have to replace a DH and SP of like quality (David Price may be part of that answer).
If one looks for a dark horse team to fly under the radar and pick up a "name" this off-season, it could be the Cardinals. With SP Kyle Lohse being paid only $500,000 at the end of a front loaded contract, the Redbirds actually have his "real value" plus another SP budget slot to pay a top tier FA $20 million plus.
