The Royals’ ride to their first World Series championship in 30 years also provided a nice financial bump for their players.

A week before the Winter Meetings get underway in Nashville, the Marlins remain relatively quiet on the trade and free-agency fronts. But in the upcoming days and weeks, that is likely to change as the team remains focused on adding starting pitching.

International superstar Marc Anthony is getting into the sports agency business, and he’s starting with All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman.

It’s no secret that David Price is in line for a hefty contract this offseason. He’s not only arguably the best free-agent pitcher on the market, but one of the best starting pitchers in the game period.

We pause now to consider an offseason that’s about to get interesting. Check the calendar. Teams feel some urgency to get things done as the holidays approach and New Year’s Day closes in. Happens every year around this time.

We know the appeal of David Price, and we simultaneously know the potential pitfalls of a six- or seven-year commitment to a starting pitcher north of age 30. But Dave Dombrowski and the Boston Red Sox can’t let this ace get away.

Interim Blue Jays general manager Tony LaCava and Indians vice president of player development Ross Atkins are both finalists for Toronto’s vacant GM position, according to CBSSports.com. The club has not confirmed the report.

Save as much as 25 percent and get free shipping with no minimum at the MLB.com Shop through 11:59 p.m. ET Monday. Plus, get a limited edition holiday subscription to MLB.TV Premium with any purchase.

Former Marlins general manager Dan Jennings called Jose Fernandez “one of the best competitors” he’s ever seen, during an interview Sunday on MLB Network Radio.

In a free-agent market where the vast majority of clubs seek arms, the Tigers have landed a pitcher who is no worse than the third-best available starter. And Al Avila’s move to bring on Jordan Zimmermann was good work done quickly.

Marcell Ozuna’s impressive breakout 2014 quickly turned into a disappointing 2015 marred by a demotion to the minor leagues, possibly ending his Miami career. A young center fielder who has one of baseball’s best exit velocity should have no trouble finding a home.

At last count, there were at least seven teams — and probably eight or nine — shopping for an elite free-agent starting pitcher. All seem prepared to spend significant dollars to add an impact arm to their rotation.

Wherever Aroldis Chapman ends up this winter, he’ll be bringing some eye-popping numbers along with him. Not only he is baseball’s hardest-throwing pitcher, he misses bats, limits exit velocity, and completely dominates whenever he’s in the game.

The Tigers could be closing in on the free-agent starting pitching that tops their holiday shopping list, entering into talks with right-hander Jordan Zimmermann on a long-term contract.

Fresh off one of the most dominant pitching seasons in at least the past two decades, Zack Greinke figures to be one of the most highly pursued free agents this offseason.

Jason Heyward might end up signing the largest contract of any position-player free agent this winter. But as is the case with every free agent, it takes a club that has a need and the money to strike a deal. These four clubs are the likeliest to sign him.

Byung Ho Park is about to make his way to the Twin Cities, according to a report out of South Korea. Park, the 29-year-old Korean first baseman/designated hitter the Twins won negotiating rights to on Nov. 9, is first flying to Chicago to meet with his agent, Alan Nero, before getting to Minnesota, according to a translation of the report.