Baseball

The Cleveland Indians came into the 2014 offseason with some glaring needs in the bullpen, starting rotation, on the bench and also at third base.

The team was able to remedy some of those needs by signing the likes of John Axford, Shaun Marcum, David Murphy and Jason Giambi among others.

Losing Robinson Cano was a big blow to the New York Yankees, not only because he is a great player, but because finding a quality second baseman on the open market is not easy. 

The San Francisco Giants have been one of the most active teams since the 2013 season ended. GM Brian Sabean has aggressively moved to restock the Giants roster, bringing back several familiar faces and adding two new free agents.

Taking performance-enhancing drugs and lying about his age apparently did not suffice for Miguel Tejada.

Third baseman Juan Uribe is reportedly headed back to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a two-year deal after testing free agency.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal was the first to break the news:

David Ortiz would like an extension on his contract, and the sooner the better.

But for various reasons having to do with history and upon-closer-inspection statistics, it would be better if the Boston Red Sox waited.

The very thought of trading Craig Kimbrel can't help but rile up Atlanta Braves fans.

Although it's not necessarily even an actual rumor, the concept of trading baseball's best closer—as suggested recently by Buster Olney of ESPN (subscription required) merely as speculation—is just the kind of proposition that is, in a word, divisive.

Olney writes:

Major League Baseball will reportedly investigate New York Yankees president Randy Levine for comments he made regarding Mike Trout.

It's time to put your general manager hat on and make a very important decision. Your team is in position to add one impact player prior to the 2014 season. You can either trade for Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price or sign free-agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. Which would be the better choice?

A headline declaring "Phillies Grab Whatever Roberto Hernandez is", per Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs, reaffirms the sad state of affairs at 1 Citizens Bank Way. With a roster in flux and a determination to disappoint in 2014, the Philadelphia Phillies will have to rely on some prospects at some point in the upcoming season.