Jacoby Ellsbury Among 10 Most Impactful Signings Of MLB Offseason (Photos)

by Ricky Doyle

Spring Training is almost here. That means another offseason of wheeling and dealing will soon come to a close.

This year’s hot stove didn’t reach scorching levels, by any means, but there were plenty of free-agent signings across Major League Baseball that could alter the league’s landscape in 2014. Spring training’s impending arrival marks a good time to reflect on these signings while also breaking out the red pen to determine the most impactful moves.

A few talented players remain unsigned — like Nelson Cruz, Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana — but most major leaguers know which uniform they will be tossing on this season. A few elite major leaguers, such as Jacoby Ellsbury and Robinson Cano, will call new places home, while a Japanese phenom, Masahiro Tanaka, will look to carry his success overseas for the first time. Nothing is guaranteed in sports, especially when it comes to free agency, but clearly some teams were looking to make a splash on the open market.

The New York Yankees’ spending spree highlighted the winter, as the Bronx Bombers have their sights set on dethroning the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. But how many of the Yankees’ free-agent signings will thrive in 2014? Check out the list below, which ranks the 10 MLB free-agent signings that will make the biggest impact in 2014.