Baseball

Even in the New York Yankees' universe, not everything is pinstripe navy blue and white.

Logic dictates that it would not be a good thing for the Yankees if Alex Rodriguez's 211-game suspension were to be overturned. But at the same time, would it be such a bad thing?

It's still too early to declare a team as a "winner" or "loser" at this point in the offseason. Because there's still plenty of time left for them to make trades and several impact players still available on the free-agent market, the perception of how a team's offseason has gone can change in a moment's notice. 

A lot has happened, though, and there are teams that have certainly established themselves as having had a successful offseason and those who have either made enough questionable moves or non-moves to give their fanbase a reason to be disappointed. 

It's hard enough to find five good starting pitchers. But the high occurrence of injuries to pitchers in this day and age commonly forces teams to utilize at least eight or nine starting pitchers to get through a 162-game season.

As a result, certain characteristics have become extremely important when assembling a starting rotation. Without a good combination of consistency, durability and reliability, things can get ugly very quickly. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten so accustomed to adding big-name talent and payroll over the last two years that the idea of them trading a superstar like Matt Kemp is insane.

Of course, when you already have a surplus of expensive outfielders on your roster, everyone becomes available for the right price.

The Tampa Bay Rays face a daunting task each offseason.

Stay competitive on a tight budget.

Competing in the American League East is a difficult task by itself. When you add in the Rays budget compared to the spending ability of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox, and the task becomes exponentially more difficult.

The 2014 season will be better than 2013's version for New York Mets fans because the team will be showcasing its young, promising talent while taking one step closer to completing its plan of becoming a championship contender once again.

The Texas Rangers must sign Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka for the 2014 MLB season.

It's pretty simple: Pitching wins in the playoffs.

Former Baltimore Orioles center fielder Paul Blair passed away on Thursday, Dec. 26 at the age of 69.

Blair passed away at Sinai Hospital, according to a hospital spokeswoman (via the Associated Press).

It's that time of year again. Everyone is swearing off junk food, buying gym memberships and looking up local charities in order to hit their New Year's resolutions. But if the Dodgers want to return to the NLCS and have another shot at the World Series, they better make a few of their own.

As the New Year rings in, the St. Louis Cardinals have a lot to look forward to.

They are stocked up on talent at almost every position, are coming off a trip to the World Series and are poised to contend against the National League Central, all with a lower payroll.

Yeah, times are pretty good. But every team has room for improvement and the Cardinals are no exception.

Here are some New Years' resolutions for the birds from St. Louis.