Potential Big Offseason MLB Splashes Closest to Becoming Reality

When will the next dominoes fall? That's the current, burning question of the MLB hot-stove season.

The calendar has flipped to 2016, and multiple marquee names sit unsigned. They'll all ink somewhere before pitchers and catchers report—that much we know. But which seismic signings are imminent?

Only time holds the answers, obviously, and time isn't telling. Based on the latest rumors, however, here are a few top-shelf players who could soon find homes. 

To insert one more caveat: While we considered trades—including oft-mentioned targets such as Colorado Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez—at the moment the market seems to be waiting on a handful of free agents, especially our first subject, so that's all you'll find here.

Chris Davis Re-Ups with the O's

Speaking of sluggers, MLB's reigning home run leader is ripe for the picking.

It seems unfathomable, but after bashing 47 home runs and racking up 117 RBI, Chris Davis is unemployed. Granted, he turned down a seven year, $154 million offer from the Baltimore Orioles, per ESPN.com's Eddie Matz. But it feels absurd that a power hitter of his caliber in such a generally punchless era would be looking for work this late in the game.

In fact, Davis may be the linchpin for the rest of this winter's free-agent hitters, as ESPN.com's Jim Bowden outlined:

"

According to sources close to Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton, negotiations for both players have picked up as the market becomes clearer. However, due in part to Chris Davis turning down that astronomical offer from the Orioles, agents for both players are still dragging out the process because Baltimore is a likely landing spot for one of the two outfielders if Davis signs somewhere other than Baltimore.

"

If Cespedes and Upton are playing the waiting game behind Davis, so are the likes of Dexter Fowler, Denard Span, Gerardo Parra and all the other members of this deep, dangling outfield/position-player crowd.

Ultimately, it's uncertain whether Davis and the O's will reach an accord. A recent Twitter exchange between Davis and Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones hinted at jovial relations, if not a reunion.

Nick Wass/Associated Press

In December, Davis' agent, the notorious Scott Boras, sounded a broad note.

"I don't draw lines in the sand," Boras said, per ESPN's Buster Olney. "My job is to take information, and, unless Chris directs me to, you usually try to keep the doors open for everyone to listen and advance what they want to advance."

It says here that the Orioles and general manager Dan Duquette will ultimately open their wallet even wider, re-up Davis and measurably improve their chances in the up-for-grabs American League East. 

Howie Kendrick Signs with the Snakes, Ian Desmond Heads to San Diego

Howie Kendrick is the top remaining second baseman on the market, and Ian Desmond is the top remaining shortstop. Both could soon don new uniforms.

Let's start with Kendrick, a lifetime .293 hitter coming off an injury-marred but otherwise typically solid season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kendrick has remained on the block even as others—including Daniel Murphy—have found homes. Yes, he's tied to a draft pick after rejecting Los Angeles' qualifying offer, but he's a legitimate upgrade for any contender with a hole to plug at the keystone sack.

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Enter the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have already signaled their intentions with the expensive Zack Greinke signing and the high-priced trade for Shelby Miller.

Now, Arizona is engaged in "ongoing discussions" with Kendrick, per Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi. The D-Backs don't need to add Kendrick, not with options like Chris Owings and Aaron Hill and a potent offense led by Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock. 

But this feels like the type of move general manager Dave Stewart and chief baseball officer Tony LaRussa would make—inking a battle-tested veteran with a reputation as a strong clubhouse leader, draft pick be damned.

As for Desmond, he's headlined a thin collection of shortstops since the offseason commenced. And he could soon settle in San Diego, though talks between the two sides remain "very preliminary," per MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

That said, the Friars need a shortstop. And Desmond—who accumulated 10.9 WAR between 2012 and 2014 but is coming off a so-so season—is a classic buy-low proposition.

As Morosi put it, Desmond-to-San Diego is "the most logical scenario in the entire industry." 

Yovani Gallardo Lands in Houston

With Greinke, David Price, Jordan Zimmermann and Johnny Cueto off the board, focus turned to the next group of free-agent starting pitchers.

Some of those have been snapped up, too, including Jeff Samardzija, Mike Leake and Scott Kazmir.

That doesn't mean there are no impact options remaining; such is the nature of the enviably deep 2015-16 free-agent class. 

Consider Yovani Gallardo, a 29-year-old right-hander who posted a 3.42 ERA in 184.1 innings last year and who has struck out 8.2 hitters per nine innings in his career. 

LM Otero/Associated Press

The main players for Gallardo's services, SB Nation's Chris Cotillo recently reported, are the Orioles, Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros. 

It's worth mentioning that Gallardo went to high school in Fort Worth, Texas, and spent last season with the Texas Rangers.

That Lone Star State connection isn't everything. But as the 'Stros look to build on last season's surprise wild-card berth and bolster the rotation around reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, Gallardo would be a welcome addition. And they might have the inside track.

All statistics, unless otherwise noted, courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.