The off-season hot stove is warming up with trade rumors and free agency decisions being made, though transactions have slowed as the league focuses on the impending collective bargaining agreement deadline.
One MLB agent told SB Nation's Chris Cotillo over the weekend that "everything has shut down because of the CBA negotiations." The league and the players' union must reach an agreement on a new CBA before the current one expires on Dec. 1 or risk a lockout. The owners are reportedly willing to enforce a lockout.
A lockout would throw cold water on the off-season hot stove, as all free agent signings would be put on hold until a new agreement is reached.