MLB Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Top Bats on the Market

In need of offense? Well, you're in luck. There are several big bats to go around this offseason.

The 2014 World Series may have just begun, but the MLB rumors are already swirling. While the market for big bats is a bit underwhelming, there are still a few quality hitters available. Because the market is so slim and multiple teams will inevitably vie for their services, their price tags will likely soar.

It's not like the highest-bidding team won't be rewarded. With a shiny new bopper in the middle of the order, those teams that win the bids will trot out much improved lineups.

Below, you'll find the latest on which teams have the early jump on free agency's best hitters.

Victor Martinez

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Victor Martinez might not be the best power hitter available, but he is undeniably the best overall hitter without a home for next season. The Detroit Tigers designated hitter slashed .335/.409/.565 in 2014 with 32 home runs, 103 RBI, 70 walks and just 42 strikeouts.

He missed all of the 2012 season, but he has at least a .301 batting average in eight of his past nine healthy campaigns. That puts him among the top hitters in the game. As such, teams are going to line up to sign him.

Teams can line up all they want, but it's ultimately Martinez's decision where he'll play in 2015 and beyond. The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reported that the DH already knows what he wants to do:

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According to a major league source familiar with Martinez: He prefers to work something out with the Tigers, so they will get first crack at him. If he elects free agency, comfort of the workplace will be extremely important. So you wonder about New York and whether we could be looking at more like Baltimore, Toronto, Chicago, or Texas.

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V-Mart will be 36 years old in December. While he has shown no signs of slowing down in his mid-30s, he is a rather one-dimensional player. He's a liability in the field and requires almost full-time DH duties. Not many teams can offer that type of role.

Teams could sacrifice some defense to put his bat in the middle of the order, though. It will be interesting to see what type of deal he ultimately attracts.

Something in the three-year, $60 million range seems plausible.

Nelson Cruz

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Nelson Cruz led the majors in home runs in 2014, swatting 40 home runs in the heart of the Baltimore Orioles lineup. Surprisingly, he only hit 15 of his home runs in the friendly confines of Camden Yards. He was a far better hitter on the road.

After accepting a one-year deal last offseason and raking for much of of the year, the 34-year-old will command a multiyear contract this winter. His inability to get a longer deal last offseason is likely a reason why he switched agents earlier this month:

The Orioles might not be able to re-sign him, however, so they're going to make sure they get something in return if he signs elsewhere, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, who wrote: "Word is the team plans to extend a $15.3 million qualifying offer to Cruz."

By extending him a qualifying offer, the Orioles ensure that they'll at least get a draft pick from the team that signs him. Cruz was an integral part of the lineup for the American League East champions, so it will be interesting to see how aggressive they are in retaining their star.

The market for corner outfielders with power is always a large one, as any number of teams could give Cruz's agent a call.

Don't be surprised if he gets a four-year deal, even in his mid-30s.

Yasmany Tomas

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A lot of teams don't like to gamble on international free agents, but the recent successes of Jose Abreu, Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes and others should quell the concerns of general managers. There's a reason why only certain Cuban stars come over to the majors. It's because they can play.

Yasmany Tomas will be 24 years old in November. He has a ton of power. He's not the best defensively as a corner outfielder, but his bat is more than capable of making up for his occasional defensive lapses.

Darren Wolfson of KSTP TV/Radio reports that the Minnesota Twins are one team poised to make a play for his services:

As for those 10 other teams, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez keys us in on a few more:

You can also cross at least one team off the list of suitors, as George A. King III of the New York Post writes that the New York Yankees likely won't pursue the slugger.

Some teams (the Yankees included) may have picked up on a few negatives that Ben Badler of Baseball America noticed when scouting him:

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Tomas did show some swing-and-miss tendencies at the WBC [World Baseball Classic] with an uppercut stroke and trouble handling good breaking pitches. Three months after the WBC, when Cuba took a team to the U.S. last summer to face the college national team, the U.S. power arms were able to exploit some of those holes by beating him with good velocity up and in and getting him to swing through soft stuff in and out of the zone.

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Tomas has the type of power to approach 25 home runs or so in his rookie year if given enough at-bats. Of course, the amount of playing time he gets will have much to do with the team he signs on with.