It has become a tradition of Major League Soccer offseasons: Toronto FC leading the league in head-turning moves that lead to inevitable MLS Cup talk despite the team's (at least before last season) non-existent playoff history. Millions have been spent in TFC's pursuit of greatness, and for the past few years, the results have fallen woefully short of expectations.

So what makes this offseason any different? Toronto has jumped out of the gate as the busiest MLS team this winter, adding no fewer than three new starters before having even reached New Year's Day. The approach is different from past years because TFC's moves aren't about multi-million-dollar transfers or internationally recognized names, but rather about securing MLS veterans who can help fill the team's glaringly obvious weaknesses.

Two years ago, TFC brought in Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley, calling the moves "A Bloody Big Deal" — only the signings didn't help TFC reach the playoffs and Defoe returned to Europe a year later.

Last year, TFC brought in Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, along with pickups like Benoit Cheyrou and Damien Perquis. The moves led to Toronto being seen as a dark-horse title contender, but instead TFC barely qualified for the playoffs — and only did so because MLS expanded the playoff field to 12 teams.

This winter has seen Toronto take a different approach, focusing on MLS talent rather than the international market, and the early returns are encouraging.

TFC has signed free agent defender Drew Moor and traded for Canadian national team midfielder Will Johnson and veteran defender Steven Beitashour — three additions that directly addressed three of the team's most pressing needs, and did so without having to spend the sort of millions the club has doled out in its big moves of years past.

Shoring up the back line was the top priority for TFC after a dreadful campaign in 2015 that saw its defense surrender a league-worst 58 goals. Moor is a versatile defender who gives the team a reliable left center back, and though he isn't the imposing presence in the back the team could still use, he offers a more stable presence in central defense.

Beitashour steps in as a considerable upgrade at a right back position that became a serious weak spot for TFC in 2015. Coach Greg Vanney tried any number of options at right back last year, including sliding multiple midfielders into the role, with dreadful results.

The most important acquisition of the three just might be Johnson, a two-time MLS Cup winner and established leader and difference-making midfielder. He joins old friend Michael Bradley in TFC's midfield and helps give him another top-quality passing partner to combine with, as well as another strong personality in the locker room. Johnson has won championships and should help give TFC an edge it had been lacking as a group.

Does this trio of signings make Toronto a true title contender? It's entirely possible. But as we have learned from years past, we can't take it for granted that all of the pieces will fit together, and TFC isn't exactly a perfect team just yet.

The goalkeeper position remains one that needs to be addressed. TFC traded Joe Bendik to Orlando City on Monday, which for the moment leaves returning starter Chris Konopka as the only goalkeeper on the roster. Konopka started 21 matches in 2015, and didn't really establish himself as a top-end option. It remains unclear whether TFC is considering an upgrade at the position, assuming the club even has the salary cap room to add one.

Then there is the question of depth. To be a legitimate title contender, a team must have some solid options off the bench. Portland showed this most recently with the likes of Maximiliano Urruti, Dairon Asprilla and Norberto Paparatto stepping up when called on. TFC is putting together a very strong starting lineup, but there will be questions about the substitutes. Herculez Gomez gives the team a very good attacking option off the bench, but midfield and defensive depth will ultimately determine just how close TFC is to finally winning an MLS Cup trophy after yet another winter of looking like the league's offseason champion.

A LOOK AT THE TOP GENERATION ADIDAS TARGETS

The 2016 MLS draft is less than a month away, and the league has already begun reaching out to top underclassmen to sign to the league's Generation Adidas program.

Though there had been rumblings about the next Generation Adidas class being a smaller one, a size range of five to seven players seems most likely and there is a good crop of underclassmen to choose from.

This year's group is loaded with foreign players, with Virginia midfielder Jake Rozhansky the only American anywhere near the top of the league's list of targets.

Here is a rundown of the Generation Adidas options this year:

JOSHUA YARO — The consensus top pick, the Georgetown defender boasts blazing speed and impressive athleticism. Projects as a right back on the pro level, though the Ghanaian-born junior could also play as a smallish central defender.

JACK HARRISON — A Manchester United academy product, Harrison went from Gatorade's high school Player of the Year in 2014 to dominating freshman midfielder at Wake Forest. A box-to-box midfielder with a great feel for the game and good attacking qualities, Harrison joins Yaro in the top tier of this year's class.

ABU DANLADI — The UCLA forward would have been a top three pick in last year's draft, and remains a projected top three selection. The Ghanaian striker boasts good technical quality on the ball, an eye for goal and the speed to be a difference-maker in year one as a pro.

RICHIE LARYEA — The Canadian midfielder boosted his stock tremendously with an outstanding sophomore season for Akron. A dangerous playmaker who is as good a threat on the ball as there is in the draft, Laryea is seen by some to be ahead of Harrison right now in terms of being able to contribute on the pro level in 2016.

FABIAN HERBERS — The German-born forward was a goal machine for Creighton in 2015, and though the players ahead of him on this list are younger, Herbers just might be the most ready to step in and play in an MLS attack.

OMAR HOLNESS — The only player on this list who can already boast a national team cap, Holness is a Jamaican speedster who scouts have been raving about since his freshman season at North Carolina. Having just finished his junior season, he is polished enough to step in and contribute as a forward or winger on the pro level.

TIM KUBEL — The German-born defender is versatile, but teams see him as a standout right back prospect. Would be a sure-fire top 10 pick if he enters the draft, even though his Louisville team endured a disappointing 2015 season.

JULIAN BUESCHER — The German-born midfielder was one of the driving forces behind Syracuse's run to the College Cup, and though he was more of an attacking midfielder for Syracuse, he projects as more of a box-to-box type as a pro.

JAKE ROZHANSKY — The highest-rated American on the list, Rozhansky didn't have the type of sophomore season MLS scouts would have hoped for after his outstanding freshman campaign. But if MLS wants to avoid an all-foreign Generation Adidas class, Rozhansky just might get the nod, even though he will probably need a few years of seasoning before he can contribute to a first team.

JACKSON YUEILL — One of the best freshmen in the country in 2015, Yueill was outstanding playing alongside Danladi and turned heads with his quickness, creativity and ability generate goals. There are still questions about where he would fit positionally in the pros, which might ultimately keep him from being a part of the next Generation Adidas class.