For as busy as it’s been, there are still useful free agents on the market and teams with holes. Not to mention, there are a number of top players expected to be traded before teams head to their Florida and Arizona spring training facilities. Today we’ll run through the top remaining free agents and identify the teams that could be interested. Later in the week we’ll review the players allegedly on the block and possible destinations.

CATCHER

Available

 Kurt Suzuki, John Buck, Ramon Hernandez, Lou Marson, Yorvit Torrealba, Kelly Shoppach

Teams in Need

Baltimore Orioles: Granted, the backup to Matt Wieters doesn’t play much but the club may want to upgrade Steve Clevenger and Johnny Monell though they don’t have to.

Chicago Cubs: Despite having Welington Castillo and George Kottaras in the fold, the Cubs are interested in Suzuki.

Cleveland Indians: With Carlos Santana and Yan Gomes both likely to be in the lineup every day since they both can play positions other than catcher and both have potent bats, the Tribe will need someone to fill the role as sparsely used third catcher.

Colorado Rockies: The Rox are planning on using Wilin Rosario at first against lefthanders in a platoon with Justin Morneau and with Jordan Pacheco as best in-house candidate to catch those games, you can be sure Colorado will being in another receiver with Suzuki heading the rumor mill.

Kansas City Royals: Brett Hayes could pick up the few at bats left over from Salvador Perez but chances are someone else is brought in, even if only for organizational depth.

Minnesota Twins: With Joe Mauer switching his catcher’s mitt for a first baseman’s mitt, the Twins could use some help for upstart receiver Josmil Pinto with Suzuki on their radar.

New York Mets: Travis d’Arnaud is the future and Anthony Recker is a capable backup. It just seems like there should be a veteran somewhere in the organization.

Seattle Mariners: Similar to the Mets’ d’Arnaud, Mike Zunino is the young upstart in line for the bulk of playing time. It just makes sense that Jesus Sucre is not the only backup.

FIRST BASE

Available

Kendrys Morales, Mark Reynolds, Lyle Overbay, Casey Kotchman, Jeff Baker, Wilson Betemit

Teams in Need

Miami Marlins: Garrett Jones can play the position but is a platoon option at best and is better suited for an outfield time-share.

Milwaukee Brewers: Juan Francisco? Sean Halton? Part of me wants to write a narrative how Francisco can be the next Edwin Encarnacion. But a bigger, tougher, really mean and scary part of me made a pact never to do a “so and so is the next…” column.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Very unlikely Gaby Sanchez is given full-time run.

SECOND BASE

Available

Chris Getz, Alexi Casilla, Ramon Santiago, Jamey Carroll

Teams in Need

Atlanta Braves: Just seems odd that a team would bench Dan Uggla for Elliot Johnson in the playoffs then head into the next year counting on Uggla. On the other hand, the remaining options can be nicknamed Slim and None…trade?

Baltimore Orioles: There are in-house options like veteran Ryan Flaherty, prospect Jonathan Schoop and sleeper Cord Phelps (jot down his name, he could steal the spot) but it is hard to believe the Orioles wouldn’t look to beef up the spot in the again beefed up AL East.

Los Angeles Dodgers: The plan is for Cuban import Alexander Guerrero to play second but even though the Cuban players generally hold their own, he didn’t play at all last season. One would think a veteran presence, even as a reserve is on the way.

Toronto Blue Jays: Maicer Izturis is best utilized as a utility guy but could play the position if necessary.

THIRD BASE

Available

Kevin Youkilis, Michael Young, Eric Chavez, Jerry Hairston

Teams in Need

Chicago Cubs: Though Michael Olt and Kris Snyder loom, Theo and company may look to upgrade incumbent Luis Valbuena. Heck, I’m an upgrade over Valbuena.

Detroit Tigers: The assumption is Nick Castellanos mans the hot corner but since the Tigers are in go-for-it mode, veteran insurance could be in order.

Miami Marlins: There are in-house candidates with Greg Dobbs, Derek Dietrich and Ed Lucas so the Marlins could stand pat.

New York Yankees: You know, just in case.

SHORTSTOP

Available

Stephen Drew, Ronny Cedeno, Cesar Izturis, Yuniesky Betancourt, John McDonald, Alex Gonzalez

Teams in Need

New York Mets: Every year the Mets look to upgrade Ruben Tejada and every year Tejada is the Mets’ shortstop.

New York Yankees: It remains to be seen if Derek Jeter has the range to return to his old haunts. Insert your own punch line here; some jokes write themselves.

OUTFIELD

Available

Shin-Soo Choo, Nelson Cruz, Raul Ibanez, Delmon Young, Sam Fuld, Xavier Paul, Reed Johnson, Endy Chavez, Juan Pierre, Jason Bay

Teams in Need

Baltimore Orioles: Left is open though the team is suggesting Henry Urrutia is an internal candidate.

Boston Red Sox: Could be looking for a veteran as Jackie Bradley insurance.

Chicago Cubs: At least one, perhaps two fly-chasers are necessary.

Cincinnati Reds: The Billy Hamilton giddiness aside, the Reds need a center fielder.

Texas Rangers: The Rangers need another bat, either in left or at designated hitter.

DESIGNATED HITTER

Available

Luke Scott, Travis Hafner

Teams in Need

Baltimore Orioles: Can they really count on Nolan Reimold?

Los Angeles Angels: The Halos have lost several bats but haven’t replaced them all (yet).

Teas Rangers: As suggested, the Rangers need a stick for left field or DH with Mitch Moreland playing the other spot.

STARTING PITCHER

Available

Ervin Santana, Matt Garza, Ubaldo Jimenez, Bronson Arroyo, A.J. Burnett, Scott Baker, Jake Westbrook, Jason Hammel, Jerome Williams, Chad Gaudin, Aaron Harang, Paul Maholm, Barry Zito, Joe Saunders, Chris Capuano, Bruce Chen

Teams in Need

Los Angeles Angels: Despite the recent acquisitions, the Angels could use a veteran to consume stanzas (I’ve used up my quota of innings eater for the year).

New York Mets: I actually like Jenrry Mejia and hope the Mets give him a shot but with the rookie Wheeler and the portly veteran Bartolo Colon in the rotation, chances are some help will be needed.

New York Yankees: The 2014 Yankees are becoming reminiscent of the 2013 Blue Jays and we all know how that worked out. The Yankees have done a nice job of revamping their hitting but unless they find another above average arm or two, they’ll lose a lot of slugfests.

Seattle Mariners: James Paxton and Taijuan Walker are more likely trade bait for an ace but there’s still a chance of signing a free agent.

Toronto Blue Jays: Lots of bodies but lots of injured body parts as well.

RELIEF PITCHING

Available

Joaquin Benoit, Jesse Crain, Fernando Rodney, Chris Perez, Francisco Rodriguez, Ryan Madson, Scott Atchison, Carlos Marmol, Kevin Gregg, Frank Francisco, Luis Ayala, Octavio Dotel, Jamey Wright, Andrew Bailey, David Aardsma, Brett Myers, Matt Guerrier, Kameron Loe, Nick Masset. Joel Hanrahan, Rafael Betancourt, Oliver Perez, Mike Gonzalez, Scott Downs, Eric O’Flaherty

Teams in Need

Chicago White Sox: With Addison Reed sent to Arizona, there’s an opening. Saves may come internally or the Pale Hose may sign a closer.

Milwaukee Brewers: Not buying Jim Henderson as the opening day closer.

New York Mets: Plan B if Bobby Parnell is slow to recover is necessary.

New York Yankees; A veteran to challenge David Robertson could be in store.

Seattle Mariners: No Farquharing way the Mariners don’t bring in someone.

Texas Rangers: There’s a good chance Texas looks in house (Neftali Feliz, Joakim Soria, Tanner Scheppers).