The Toronto Blue Jays were the first team to jump into winter with an early hammer, but some general managers and agents say that their sense of the market is that others are waiting. Waiting for the prices to drop, or waiting for more opportunities to pop up, or waiting to see how much urgency they need to have.
A lot of consumers may have stampeded through doors today, but most baseball GMs are just waiting. "I think it's going to be slow going," said one long-time agent earlier this week.
The teams will have to move eventually, because there are major holes to be filled among the perceived contenders. The San Francisco Giants have been talking with Angel Pagan, but aren't sure they want to give him as many years as he wants in his next deal, and they believe that they'll work out something with Marco Scutaro to return as their second baseman. If San Francisco retains those two players, most of their heavy lifting for the winter will be done.
Here are some other issues that perceived contenders must address.