MLB free agents: 5 players still looking for jobs

Beyond the more prominent players still available on the free agent market, a number of more under-the-radar candidates are still out there, many of whom do not come with the stigma of a qualifying offer attached. Veteran contributors like Bronson Arroyo, A.J. Burnett, Fernando Rodney, and Francisco Rodriguez are still searching for teams as spring training approaches and will be far less costly from both a financial and draft pick perspective than top free agents like Ubaldo Jimenez, Ervin Santana, and Nelson Cruz.

Earlier on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported that the Dodgers remain in "active talks" with Arroyo despite recent reports that few teams have shown interest in the right-hander. The Dodgers already have a loaded rotation with Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and Hyun-jin Ryu at the top, but Arroyo could be a dependable option to come in and compete with the likes of Josh Beckett, Stephen Fife, and Chad Billingsley for the back-end spots in the team's rotation.

Arroyo has been a consistent performer for the Reds dating back to 2006. The 14-year veteran has thrown at least 199 innings per season since 2004 and finished with a 3.79 ERA, while striking out nearly four times as many batters as he walked in 2013. Considering the injury concerns still surrounding Beckett and Billingsley, who won't be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery until midseason, Arroyo might represent a dependable option for the Dodgers should they choose to sign the 36-year-old.

A.J. Burnett is also attracting interest from teams still looking for starting pitching, with the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reporting on Sunday that the race for Burnett's services is down to the Orioles, Phillies, and Pirates. Last Thursday, Peter Gammons had reported that the Orioles were "all in" on Burnett, who would be a big upgrade for a Baltimore rotation that could still use another starter.

Relievers such as Fernando Rodney and Francisco Rodriguez also remain available in free agency. On Tuesday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Mariners are "very much in the mix" for Rodney. Despite blowing eight saves for the Rays last season, Rodney still posted a 3.38 ERA and finished with 82 strikeouts in 66.2 innings.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, told Jon Morosi on Tuesday that the 36-year-old reliever is "very close" to a deal with a major league team. Last year, Rodriguez compiled a 2.70 ERA with both the Brewers and Orioles after a subpar year in 2012. Baltimore, who Rodriguez finished the 2013 campaign with, has been linked to the right-hander throughout the winter.

Beyond these four, former Dodger Chris Capuano is another free agent who has been attracting interest from teams. As Buster Olney reported on Friday, Capuano is now looking for a one-year deal after hoping for a two-year contract earlier this winter. It's not known which teams might pursue Capuano, though last Monday Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times tweeted that the Angels could be leaning toward the left-hander.