Preview/Prediction

After six weeks of preparation, the Washington Nationals will play their first game of the regular season on Monday afternoon. Spring training is officially in the books after their final tune-up against the New York Yankees on Friday afternoon.

In an attempt to put healthy players on the field for opening day, the New York Yankees have dealt for veteran outfielder Vernon Wells.

While they aren't the July trade deadline or the winter meetings, the final days of spring training are also a time for trade activity throughout the league, as teams put the finishing touches on their rosters.

This is not a time for superstar players to be on the move. However, those who are out of options and unlikely to make their respective roster or veterans who have been beaten out for a job are another story.

Here is a quick look at some players who have been rumored to be on the move as we wrap up spring training.

We all like to look into the future. The problem is that the future doesn't like to be looked at. Things change, often quickly, and factors we never consider end up making a hash of our best predictions.

Gone are the familiar names that have graced the grass of Fenway Park for the last couple years.

Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis and others have either been traded or signed elsewhere. What is left is a team of aging and oft-injured veterans, as well as unproven prospects.

But this is Boston.

If there is a will, there is a way.

Key Newcomers

With the start of the 2013 MLB season just a week away, the Los Angeles Angels will be required to reduce their 40-man expanded roster to a 25-man active roster.

On Opening Day, the team's active roster will most likely consist of five starting pitchers, six infielders, five outfielders, two catchers and seven relief pitchers.

The Atlanta Braves are poised for major success in 2013. As the final roster decisions are debated between Fredi Gonzalez and the front office, remember that the Opening Day roster is just that: an April 1 roster.

Beyond the pageantry of Opening Day, many moves will be made to solidify a roster on the rise.

With a mix of veterans, ascending superstars and young players looking to establish themselves, Atlanta has a deep and diverse group.

Of course, they're led by the Upton-Upton-Heyward outfield that was assembled via free agency and trade.

Opening Day baseball is only a week away.

Let that sink in for a minute: There's only seven days until we can watch our beloved Baltimore Orioles play meaningful baseball games once again.

When the Orioles open the season in Tampa Bay next Tuesday, I'll be there. My dad and I are planning on making the drive from Orlando to attend our first Opening Day baseball game.

By this time next week, MLB will have thrown their first pitch. Before that, they'll pitch several players on to the DL. Injuries often become the deciding factor in many of those last-minute roster decisions. A player may be healthy now, but might have missed opportunities to impress the coaching staff earlier in the spring due to even minor injuries.

It really depends on who you talk to when the topic is Spring Training.

Many believe that it means nothing. Many believe it can be a sign of things to come.

Many believe that they don't know what to believe.

Spring training to me is completely unique to the player. There are some players who always struggle in spring training only to come out and have a great year. For example, Tim Lincecum has a career 5.59 spring training ERA.