MLB

At some point, Brian Dozier's time with the Minnesota Twins figures to come to an end. The subject of trade rumors for much of the offseason, MLB's premier slugger at second base is one of the biggest names left twisting in the purgatory that is the trade block.

It's not so much that a player's current team doesn't want them any longer (though there are certainly times where that's the case), but rather said player, like Dozier, is more valuable to the team as a trade chip than a fixture on the 25-man roster.

The Chicago Cubs will enter the 2017 season as marked men, looking to undertake the uphill battle that is repeating as World Series champions.

Just three times in the last 30 years has a team managed to win consecutive titles, as the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998 to 2000 and the Toronto Blue Jays won it all in 1992 and 1993.

The Cubs have the talent to join that exclusive club.

When the Boston Red Sox report for spring training, they'll officially embark on a 2017 season that they hope will result in their fourth World Series title since 2004.

Oh, by the way, the magic date is February 13.

We could go on and on (and on) about Kris Bryant, Josh Donaldson, Manny Machado and the other superstars at third base in today's MLB. The position is capital-L Loaded.

But since we know what those third basemen are all about, let's pivot to some guys who more closely resemble question marks going into spring training.

The kid showed up unannounced, riding on the back of a motorcycle, wearing shoes that didn't match.

"One was larger than the other," Fred Ferreira remembered. "He had a sock stuffed into one of them so it would fit."

Pitchers and catchers with a predilection for pre-planning (say that five times fast) have already begun packing their bags for Florida and Arizona. Spring training is almost here, people, and not a moment too soon.

As we prepare for the glory of fresh-cut grass and exhibition baseball, let's zoom a lens on the New York Yankees.

For the first time since 1888, the Chicago Cubs visited the White House on Monday to meet President Barack Obama and celebrate the team's first World Series title since 1908.

"They said this day would never come," Obama said to open his remarks, per the ESPN broadcast, amid laughter and applause in the White House. "Here is something my predecessors never got to say: Welcome to the White House the World Series champion Cubs."

Free-agent outfielder Michael Saunders has agreed to a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Kansas City Royals and Danny Duffy agreed to terms on a five-year extension worth $65 million, according to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan.  

The Royals formally announced the extension on Twitter:

David Ortiz confirmed Monday he will remain retired from baseball amid speculation the former Boston Red Sox slugger might return to the game.

"My playing time has already expired," Ortiz told Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes.