At six years and around $60 million, Yu Darvish's deal isn't a whopper by traditional standards. However, just negotiating with the 25-year-old Japanese phenom cost the Rangers a pretty penny. Texas anted up a record $51.7 million posting bid for exclusive negotiating rights for a pitcher they hope will turn into a bona fide ace, bringing his price tag north of $111 million.

On Nov. 11, the Philadelphia Phillies nabbed closer Jonathan Papelbon with a four-year, $50-million deal that includes with a vesting option for 2016. It's the biggest overall deal ever for a closer. He went 31 for 34 in save situations for the Red Sox last year.

The new-look Marlins continued to make headlines early in the offseason with the signing of former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes. Miami signed the free agent to a six-year, $106 million deal.

Right-hander Tim Lincecum agreed to a two-year contract with the Giants closing an interesting arbitration case. Lincecum was said to be requesting a whopping $21.5 million per year, while the Giants countered with an offer of $17 million. Eventually, both sides agreed to the two-year, $40.5 million deal.

After the season that their center fielder had in 2011, the Dodgers weren't about to let him get away. The team and Kemp agreed to an eight-year, $160 million extension in November. The deal kept the Dodgers and their superstar from going to arbitration.

On Dec. 8, Wilson signed a five-year, $77.5 million deal with the Angels, although he was overshadowed by new teammate Albert Pujols. The versatile Wilson logged back-to-back 200-plus innings as a starter after solid effort out of bullpen. With pitching a scarce commodity he found an inflated market.

On Dec. 8, the Los Angeles Angels stunned the baseball world by giving free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols a 10-year guaranteed, $240 million contract. The game’s premier hitter and quality first baseman turned down a nine-year deal in the $190 million to $200 million range to re-sign with the Cardinals last spring and now waves bye-bye to the only team he's ever played for.

Prince Fielder agreed to a nine-year, $214 million deal with the Detroit Tigers on Jan. 24. The move came as a surprise, as the Tigers didn't seem to be in the running until Fielder's agent, Scott Boras, pulled off another shocker.

The New York Yankees made the first impact on the free-agent market. They kept left-hander CC Sabathia from testing the waters, signing him to a one-year extension that adds $30 million to his deal, which now runs through 2015.