The pursuit of free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado dominated baseball headlines this winter, with the two mega-stars demanding to be courted, and fought over, by an array of cash-flush franchises.
But, as opening day approaches, attention has now shifted to players who have chosen to forgo the circus of free agency and commit for the long haul to the team that drafted them.
First it was Nolan Arenado with the Rockies in late February, signing an eight-year, $260 million contract, underscoring the faith the third baseman and the team are putting in each other to pursue a World Series championship with the 27-year-old as the cornerstone.