From the rise of the super bullpen to the successful implementation of the instant-replay system, there was a lot going on in MLB in 2014. 

While there were plenty of positive trends to focus on, there were also troubling developments that arose that simply can't be ignored. Power continued to vanish in ballparks all around the league, and a flood of Tommy John surgeries hit some of baseball's most talented arms. 

Ever since the departure of former shortstop Jack Wilson, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been searching for an everyday player who could potentially become their franchise shortstop.  

Wilson had a successful career in Pittsburgh, serving primarily as the Pirates' everyday shortstop from 2001-2009.  In 1,159 career games with the Pirates, Wilson batted .269 with 60 home runs, or roughly 10 home runs per season.  

If Yoan Moncada was eligible for MLB's annual first-year player draft in June, he'd be in the running—if not stand as the overwhelming favorite—to be selected with the first overall pick.

Nothing marks the dawn of a new year quite like listing good and bad things from the previous year.

Maybe everyone just thinks too much about Santa Claus' naughty or nice lists around December because the Internet devolved into a wasteland of "best" or "worst" of 2014 lists. Much like baseball's first- and second-half splits, the calendar's arbitrary endpoint sends everyone into reflection mode.

Taken in isolation, the trade that landed Seth Smith on the Seattle Mariners won't rock the baseball world.

Taken in the context of Seattle's offseason outfield overhaul, however, it could shift the balance of power in the American League West.

2014 was an exciting year for a suddenly revitalized Seattle Mariners team.

Robinson Cano was brilliant in his first season in Seattle, and Felix Hernandez just missed out on a Cy Young award, leading the Mariners to within one game of a playoff spot after the franchise looked lost for the previous four years.

The San Diego Padres have agreed to a trade that will send outfielder Seth Smith to the Seattle Mariners for right-handed pitcher Brandon Maurer.   

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com first reported the deal was done:

The Mariners would later confirm the trade. 

The 2014 Major League Baseball season has been over for two months, but San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is still reaping the rewards for his postseason heroics. On Tuesday, he was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year.     

The Ben Zobrist bidding got a lot hotter Tuesday, and finding teams not interested in trading for the versatile veteran is a lot easier than determining who wants him. 

Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro was reportedly detained by police for questioning on Saturday in the Dominican Republic following a nightclub shooting, though his agent claims he voluntarily spoke with authorities.

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports provides a statement from Castro's agent: