Baseball

The Cincinnati Reds have a multimillion-dollar predicament on their hands.

This isn't our first rebuilding rodeo.

The baseball-loving world has been in this exact position heading into spring training many times before, anticipating a team with a massive overhaul only to watch said team fizzle mightily during the season. The stench of those failures still wafts in the air, and the 2015 San Diego Padres are trying to avoid it sticking to them. 

Let's be honest. None of us will be shocked if a surprise playoff contender emerges in the 2015 MLB season. In this two-wild-card, high-revenue era, it's the sort of thing that's bound to happen.

Barry Zito and the Oakland Athletics are reuniting. 

The team announced Zito has been signed to a minor league deal: 

As spring training approaches, the Cincinnati Reds are eager to prove the doubters wrong and show that last year's down season was just a product of an injury-riddled team.

Cincinnati went 76-86 last season, which put the team in fourth place in the National League Central. It was a disappointing result for a team that entered the season with postseason aspirations.

When an athlete gets his or her number retired, family, friends and former teammates usually have nothing but kind things to say.

That's not the case with Andy Pettitte.

On Sunday, Josh Pettitte—one of Andy's sons—broke the news that the New York Yankees would be retiring Pettitte's No. 46 in 2015:

Two more former New York Yankees are headed to Monument Park.    

It's time for spring training! Pack up your bags, book your flights and head off to Goodyear, Arizona.

The Indians are gearing up for another run at the playoffs in 2015. And this year, the Tribe is gearing up for a run at the American League Central crown, as well. 

Spring training is finally here, or almost here anyway, as pitchers and catchers are set to report later this week.

Opening Day is still a month-and-a-half away, but just seeing guys playing catch and running around in sunny Arizona or Florida is enough to stir up some excitement in even the most casual of baseball fans, if for no other reason than it's a sure sign spring is right around the corner.

Kris Bryant’s time is now.

There is nothing left for him to prove in the minor leagues, and the Chicago Cubs have made a clear and definitive turn toward competitiveness. Both those reasons ought to point to the 23-year-old uber-prospect being on the team’s Opening Day roster.