The Hot Stove season is upon us, and naturally, all the focus has shifted to the 2015-16 free-agent class. That’s understandable. There is some serious talent available on the open market this offseason. But it’s still worth looking ahead to the 2016-17 free-agent group for one very important reason: Next year’s free agents are often this year’s trade bait. Why? Because under the rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, players acquired before Opening Day can be given a qualifying offer the following offseason, which means clubs can recoup a Draft pick if the player signs elsewhere. (Players traded during the season cannot be given qualifying offers.)

Source: 2016 free agents trade bait in offseason | MLB.com