MLB Rumors: Latest on Carlos Beltran, Corey Hart and More Free-Agent Buzz

Offseason action around Major League Baseball is starting to heat up. As always, teams around the league are looking to fill holes in their rosters and are scouring the free-agent market in search of the right player and the right price to eliminate the void.

The biggest concern about the market this year is the lack of depth. Since there's a limited number of impact players available, general managers with budget constraints might end up exploring the trade market rather than overpaying for a free agent.

That said, the players currently available are still generating some serious buzz. Let's check out some of the latest chatter from around the league concerning free agents that are waiting for the right offer to come along.

Carlos Beltran

Beltran is 36, but the veteran outfielder is showing no signs of slowing down. He hit .296 with 24 home runs during the regular season and proceeded to post a .388 on-base percentage in the postseason while helping lead the St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series.

St. Louis lost out on the title to the Boston Red Sox, who must have liked what they saw from Beltran. The Boston Herald's Scott Lauber reports the champions have engaged in serious talks with the longtime star.

If the sides are able to reach an agreement, that would obviously be a case of the rich getting richer. The Red Sox were able to become champions despite inconsistent outfield production in the playoffs. Beltran would ensure that's no longer an issue and increase Boston's chances of a repeat.

Corey Hart

Hart missed the entire 2013 season due to a knee injury. Oftentimes, general managers view that as an opportunity because the question marks limit the asking price. That's seemingly the case here, as ESPN's Jim Bowden passes along word that Hart's agent has spoken with at least four teams.

Once again, the Red Sox make the list and clearly aren't content standing pat after winning the World Series. Their division rival, the Tampa Bay Rays, could definitely use a power source for the middle of the lineup as they look to keep pace with Boston.

Hart isn't a household name, but he was one of the most consistent sluggers in the league before the injury. He hit 87 home runs in his last three seasons, and at 31, there's no reason he can't return to those production levels once healthy.

Grady Sizemore

Injuries have derailed Sizemore's once promising career. He hasn't played in the major leagues since 2011 and last made it through a full season in 2008, so any team that signs him should certainly keep expectations within reason at the outset.

That said, memories of what he could do earlier in his career—30 homers and 30 steals with solid defense—allows interest to remain. The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reports he should be ready for spring training, and a lot of teams are keeping tabs on his status.

The chances of Sizemore reaching his previous heights again are slim. That said, a team could strike gold if everything suddenly fell back into place for him. It's a possibility, however unlikely, that's getting teams to take a look at him.