Robinson Cano has paved the way for MLB offseason news as the free-agent star second baseman looks for a team that is willing to invest nine years and more than $250 million in him at 31 years of age.

According to ESPN's sources, there may only be a 50/50 chance that Cano returns to New York to play for the Yankees; instead it might be Seattle. The Yankees believe that the Mariners might be willing to offer $200 million for over eight years, the sources said.

"I wouldn't presume to say that there's no one out there that will meet [Cano's] demands," another source said to ESPN.

In other offseason baseball news, the Yankees' rival - the Boston Red Sox - have agreed to sign free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski, according to ESPN. Buster Olney reported that the deal would be for one year and worth $8.25 million.

The move came just after the Yankees acquired Brian McCann, the longtime Atlanta Braves catcher.

In Oakland, the Athletics improved their starting rotation by giving free-agent lefty Scott Kazmir a two-year deal after his strong 2013 campaign when he went 10-9 with a 4.04 Earned Run Average throughout 29 starts on the mound.

The deal is said to be worth $22 million, but the short duration of the contract shows that the club was not completely sold on the pitcher's consistency after he posted only one solid season following injury-plagued seasons.

Free agent signings were not the only thing happening in the last few days. The Tampa Bay Rays made headlines when the team brought in catcher Ryan Hanigan from the Reds and pitcher Heath Bell from the Diamondbacks in a three-team trade.

The Rays shipped a minor leaguer and a player to be named to the D-Backs while Arizona sent pitcher David Holmberg to the Reds.