Baseball

While the Oakland Athletics didn’t have any legitimate stars last year, they managed to strike some magic, win the AL West and come within one win of the ALCS. However, this year the A’s won’t need a supply of magic to bring out the big-boy bats and pound opposing pitchers.

The Cleveland Indians have not won a World Series title since 1948. Judging from the changes made this offseason, they're looking to put an end to that streak.

After finishing with a 68-94 record in 2012, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti went to work in revamping his roster.

Via trades and free-agent signings, Antonetti was active, and the end result is a product that promises to be more far more competitive in 2013.

Most teams would not extend their manager’s contract after a 79–83 record and a historic collapse. However, most teams are not the Pittsburgh Pirates.

After two decades of perpetual mediocrity, the Pirates have decided to extend Clint Hurdles’ contract for making them less bad.

Clint Hurdle pretty much has it all going for him. The owner loves him, and the fans seem to have a favorable opinion of him.

Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Alfredo Aceves recently made headlines with a puzzling lackluster performance during a practice drill. Despite concerns that such actions could negatively impact a team newly committed to a positive clubhouse, Boston shouldn’t give up on him yet.

The Boston Red Sox should have a different clubhouse culture in 2013 than they did in 2011 or 2012. They have a new manager and an assortment of new players, and the organization has made establishing a strong clubhouse a primary directive.

Ever since the news first came out that Grant Balfour would have surgery that would deactivate him for four to six weeks, it has been all good news for Balfour and his rehab.

First, he was back on his feet and walking around the A's clubhouse within 24 hours of going under the knife.  

The grass is cut, the skies in Arizona are clear and the temperatures are perfect. It's time for baseball again in the valley of the sun, which means the Arizona Diamondbacks can put a disappointing 2012 season behind them and start fresh for 2013.

The New York Yankees will not make the playoffs in 2013.

Fahgettaboudit!

Alfonso Soriano doesn't want to play for a losing team anymore (via Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times), and the New York Yankees aren't exactly set at the designated hitter's spot in the lineup. Match made in heaven, right?

Well, not so fast.

The Chicago White Sox season is officially underway as the position players have now joined the pitchers and catchers in Arizona for the start of spring training.

At first glance, the White Sox pitching staff appears to be the strength of the team again, while the offense may have some questions marks.