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.