2013 MLB Spring Training

At this time last year, the presence of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout in big league camp dominated the spring training headlines. Fans from all over flocked to both Cactus and Grapefruit League games with the hope of catching a glimpse of either future All-Star.

Remember Kyle Seager?

Third baseman for the Seattle Mariners? 

It's strange, for a guy that led his team in a handful of key offensive categories last year, you're not hearing too much about him so far this spring. 

It may have been small, but Boston Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard recently took a positive step forward in his quest to reclaim his career.

After three seasons as one of the most dominant setup men in baseball, Bard converted to starting last season, which turned out to be an unqualified disaster.

It's been a wild ride this winter with big-name free agents signing their typical lucrative contracts, and teams making trades to potentially better themselves for the upcoming season (and possibly beyond).

We now sit just a little more than a month away from Opening Day. So with that in mind, with the offseason dust just about settled, it's time to take a look at where each team sits with its roster.

The 2013 Major League Baseball spring training schedule has been released and while it might not seem important to watch the MLB's preseason, that doesn't change the fact that there are some must-see matchups.

Some of these matchups will feature players in new places who are going up against their old mates, as well as some major new additions to teams that plan on making a push for the postseason in 2013.

Some of the top tools and pitches in the minor leagues will be on display this spring, as many of the game’s top prospects have been invited to participate in big league spring training. Whether it’s Billy Hamilton’s speed, Wil Myers’ power or Gerrit Cole’s fastball, the future of baseball will undoubtedly be on display over the next month.

Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Alfredo Aceves recently made headlines with a puzzling lackluster performance during a practice drill. Despite concerns that such actions could negatively impact a team newly committed to a positive clubhouse, Boston shouldn’t give up on him yet.

Many of the game’s top prospects have been invited to big league camp this spring, which indicates that they’re within a few years of reaching the majors. This year’s group of top-ranked prospects is highlighted by a core group of promising sluggers, including Wil Myers, Mike Olt and Xander Bogaerts.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester has enjoyed much success during his career, but it’s always seemed that he’s never reached his full potential. Declining production and his own surprising recent comments have further questioned whether he can ever really be an ace.

Spring training is finally among us, and with only 42 days separating us from MLB Opening Day, teams everywhere have their work cut out for them as they prepare for a regular-season marathon.

Teams like the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays made major improvements to their lineups and rotations this offseason, and they promise to make a big splash once the season gets underway.