Eight MLB burning questions/predictions post-winter meetings

Mets owner Steve Cohen ignited the action early at the winter meetings. The hot stove has been burning since. 

The teams who whiffed on Juan Soto have gotten busy. Both the free-agent and trade markets are hot, pitchers are getting paid and salaries are well-exceeding initial projections. 

The Yankees (Max Fried) and Red Sox (Garrett Crochet) found their new aces, but Corbin Burnes remains available, while Roki Sasaki has a big decision ahead that isn't expected to be announced until the week of Jan. 15. Willy Adames has found his new home in San Francisco, but Alex Bregman is still out there. The Cubs found their much-needed star in Kyle Tucker, but the top outfielders behind Soto are still there for the taking, and none of the big first basemen have moved yet. 

After a busy winter meetings in Dallas, here are eight lingering questions and some guesses at what could happen next. 

1. Beyond going for Sasaki, are other big moves ahead for Dodgers ?  

The Dodgers have made it clear that Sasaki will be a major priority, but whether it's the NPB star, a top relief arm, another corner outfielder or all three, the reigning champs likely have more to come this winter after signing Blake Snell, Michael Conforto and Blake Treinen. 

"My goal is to not buy in July," president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has repeated multiple times this offseason. "I am setting that out there right now. My goal is to do everything we can right now to not buy in July. It is terrible." 

The Dodgers had to do that at the 2024 trade deadline after watching their seemingly deep pitching staff crumble. The additions of Jack Flaherty and Michael Kopech were vital pieces in their road to a championship, but the former is a free agent.