Fan News

This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on January 23, 2013 and ending on February 22, 2013 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season's performance, offseason changes since and the author's outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the AL East and now go to the NL side, starting in the East and going in alphabetical order.

January isn't the best month for baseball junkies. It's MLB's no man's land—a slow stretch of time between the main nerve of the hot stove season and spring training. 

This January, however, brought some drama for a change.

The hot stove provided more heat than usual, as high-profile free-agent deals were struck, and a couple trades were made as well. One of those was the Justin Upton blockbuster we'd been waiting for since the mid-18th century.

There is a youth movement going on in Major League Baseball, and it took a huge step forward in 2012.

Super-prospects Mike Trout and Bryce Harper became superstar players seemingly overnight, while fellow youngsters Jason Heyward and Giancarlo Stanton further established themselves as young stars.

On the mound, Stephen Strasburg pitched his first (sorta-)full season in the majors in 2012. While he dazzled with his right arm, Chris Sale quietly dazzled with his left.

With a fresh season on the horizon, there's a simple question begging to be asked: Who's next?

Though the 2013 offseason is not complete, many teams already have their starting outfield set for the coming season.

Others are looking at both the free-agent and trade markets to find the players whom they need. Players like Michael Bourn are still available, and they could greatly improve a team's outfield.

Both players' offensive and defensive abilities were considered for these rankings.

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They are the unheralded few, the biggest stars who continue to get overlooked by baseball fans across the nation.

We are here to correct that error, at least for the few who splashed onto this video.

Whether it be consistency over a great number of years, versatility on the field or just some sick stuff that continues to get overshadowed, you will agree these ballplayers have been underrated for far too long. 

As the longtime debate regarding performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) in Major League Baseball comes to the forefront once again, so too do the questions about the Hall of Fame.

So far, the testing process seems to have had little, if any, deterrent effect on those who use within the sport.

Another day, another instance of controversial news regarding New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

Fool me once—shame on me. Fool me twice—get out of baseball forever.

Have the Philadelphia Phillies made enough improvements to their roster to compete with the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves in the NL East? 

Despite the fact that spring training grows ever closer, there are still a number of viable free-agent options on the market and they will find homes one way or another in the weeks ahead.

Kyle Lohse and Michael Bourn continue to dominate the headlines, as they are by far the top two available players, but that is not to say that there an not some solid veterans and potential key contributors still unsigned.