That trio includes both Japanese ace Roki Sasaki, who can't ink a deal until the new international amateur free-agent signing window opens on Jan. 15, and fellow right-hander Jack Flaherty, whose recent volatility warrants some skepticism.

Alex Bregman is one of the hottest names still available on MLB's free-agent market. Earlier this week, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that the Boston Red Sox are among the most likely landing spots for Bregman, along with the Detroit Tigers.

Boston's seeming resistance to the free-agent infielder doesn't make a lot of sense for a team that could desperately use him.