In Seattle's case, that should make for an interesting winter as Dipoto looks to bolster a team many felt had the nucleus to challenge for a postseason berth last year.
Free agents: The Mariners have three players hitting free agency -- right-handed starter Hisashi Iwakuma, left-handed reliever Joe Beimel and outfielder Franklin Gutierrez. Re-signing Iwakuma will be the highest priority, and he likely will be extended a one-year qualifying offer of $15.8 million as he's proven to be one of the American League's most-reliable right-handers (46-24 with a 3.09 ERA in 97 starts in his four seasons).