MLB

For the most part, the MLB preseason is a time for established players to shake off the rust and the manager to decide on who fills the handful of open spots on the 25-man roster.

However, teams focus on a few key areas in particular; it's sort of a blueprint to preseason success, if you will, and those are what the following article will zero in on.

We chose one player (in some cases two) who applies to each of the following categories:

Breakout seasons in baseball come in all shapes and sizes, and they don't care about age or experience. Things click for different players at different times, whether it's a 20-something getting his first chance at regular playing time or a career journeyman who may have finally found a home.

But not every breakout season is created equally. Some lead to a long period of sustained success and stardom, while others prove to be nothing more than blips on the radar, creating those one-year wonders who, while memorable, become irrelevant before too long.

Spring training is at long last in sight!

Note the exclamation point. That's because everyone heads to Florida and Arizona with at least a modicum of optimism, and every fan is permitted to dream.

Of course, most of those dreams will be dashed against the rocks of reality. Only 10 out of 30 teams will qualify for the postseason, after all, and only one of those will finish its season with a champagne-drenched victory.

At 23 years old, Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper is becoming the face of Major League Baseball. He's a three-time All-Star in just four seasons in the majors and is the reigning National League MVP after a campaign in which he hit .330 with 42 home runs and 99 RBI.

Hard-hurling ace Jacob deGrom said he’d be willing to discuss a long-term deal with the New York Mets well before he becomes a free agent in 2020, according to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post.

The Kansas City Royals announced that they've locked up another one of their core players, with third baseman Mike Moustakas agreeing to a new two-year deal. 

Jon Heyman of MLB Network first reported the deal, noting that it's worth $14.3 million.

Mariano Rivera helped the New York Yankees win five World Series, and many consider him to be the game’s greatest closer. As such, he'll become the 37th Bronx Bomber to receive a plaque in Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park this summer, according to the Associated Press.

Many moons ago, San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford was a fan of the team.

On Thursday, the team shot a commercial that featured the 29-year-old standing in the same spot (albeit in AT&T Park rather than Candlestick)—and wearing the same outfit—as his five-year-old self.

The Giants posted another shot of the recreated scene on Instagram:

Head of the Major League Baseball Players Association Tony Clark isn't pleased that there are a number of free agents still on the market with spring training just around the corner. 

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training as early as Feb. 17, and some big names like outfielder Dexter Fowler, shortstop Ian Desmond and first baseman Pedro Alvarez are still looking for new deals. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers have solid depth across the diamond, potentially leaving Alex Guerrero out of the mix for playing time and making him an intriguing trade chip for the team.

Continue for updates.

Dodgers Have Reportedly Begun Shopping Guerrero in Trades

Thursday, Feb. 11

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that the Dodgers were "talking to numerous teams" about dealing Guerrero, adding that the player "fits best with an AL club."