I’ll start with a small piece of news, an item that will serve as an example of how the off-season works, and perhaps offer insight into how even non-contenders think at this time of year.



The San Diego Padres, according to major-league sources, have discussed internally the idea of signing first baseman Eric Hosmer, one of the most coveted free agents this off-season.



Does this mean the Padres stand a serious chance of getting Hosmer? Nope. Does it mean they will make a strong push to land him? Not necessarily. The Pads know that teams closer to winning the World Series want Hosmer and almost certainly would pay him more.



But at this early stage of the off-season, with the general managers’ meetings starting on Monday in Orlando, teams can scheme. And at a time when the game is flush with cash but clubs are restricted from spending on amateurs, even low-revenue franchises can plunge into the free-agent market and dream.



Hosmer, 28, is...