Rankings/List

When composing this lineup, there were some selections that caused some second-guessing and hesitation before the final decisions were made—not just whom to include, but where to place them in the field for those who played multiple positions.

There was some internal debate on where to play Ernie Banks on the Chicago Cubs’ All-Time Team.  He played parts of nine seasons at shortstop and 11 at first base, with some time at third base and in the outfield sprinkled in.

Most fans are well aware at this point of the New York Yankees' plan to cut payroll down to $189 million before the start of the 2014 season.

Entering the 2013, the Yankees have at least 10 significant players on their roster that can or will be free agents after the season.

Their budget plans will make it next to impossible to bring back everyone.

Who says you have to pump iron (or, in these days, pop PEDs) to be a slugger? For goodness sake, Babe Ruth did it on hot dogs and beer!

Power hitters come in all shapes and sizes, from a rounded Prince Fielder to a towering Adam Dunn to a perfectly proportioned Albert Pujols. 

But wait, what about the skinny guys? You know, the ones who frequently take off days from the gym just because they weren't in the mood (we've all been there). 

Surprisingly, some of these players are renowned as some of the best home run hitters in the game. 

With only 17 days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, each organization is busy determining how to best fill out its roster at every minor league level.

Some teams, such as the Los Angeles Angels, have already announced all of their non-roster invitations to big-league spring training—a mix of prospects and former major leaguers.

New stadiums are taking shape in a number of different ways, continuing to evolve the game-day experience. Despite that, the older stadiums are in no way slighted, as they too have their own unique features that set them apart.

Some of these features are the most longstanding and notable in baseball, while others are newer and represent the birth of tradition as stadiums are erected.

Since there are many stadiums I haven't set foot in, feel free to chime in with anything I may not be aware of at stadiums across the league.

Just over the horizon of Opening Day, you can see these bright stars begin to shine. Here are the MLB pitching prospects who just can’t miss.

Nothing is certain in life, especially when you consider Major League pitchers, but these guys have us giddy to see 2013 unfold.

Whether it be a opportunity they are not about to squander or talent their respective team can no longer keep at bay, these guys are about to blow up.

As we have flipped the calendar to 2013 and have hit frigid temperatures across the Midwest, we need to remember that spring training is right around the corner. Pitchers and catchers are set to report to their respective spring training facilities from Feb. 10-12, with position players reporting less than a week later.

That said, there’s an abundance of key players hoping to make a comeback after sustaining injuries either last season or during the offseason.

Here's a rundown on what player injuries concern me the most.

Due to the amount of trades this offseason involving consensus top prospects, the overall farm system ranking was in need of a major overhaul.

After dealing star-caliber major leaguers for high-end prospects, organizations such as the Miami Marlins, New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays have seen a jump in the rankings. Meanwhile, the teams on the opposite end of those trades, namely the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals, have plummeted.

With nearly their entire World Series roster returning for the 2013 season, the San Francisco Giants have the luxury of allowing their top prospects to marinate in the minor leagues a bit longer. Frankly, it is better that way, since their farm system isn't exactly ready to pop out a slew of major league stars.

But there are a few promising players, in particular an exciting outfielder—who could be contributing to the big club sometime this season.

When the Giants non-tendered reliever Brian Wilson earlier this offseason, the chance remained that he could return to the team on a more reasonable contract.