MLB

The MLB rumor mill tends to slow around the holiday season, but as Zach Links of MLB Trade Rumors noted, sometimes baseball executives and agents are fiddling on their phones during family functions while discussing possible deals.

With less than a week remaining in the 2013 calendar year, spring training is already on the horizon for baseball fans itching to see their favorite teams in action once again.

There is certainly some unfinished business on the free agent and trade markets, but it's never too early to start looking ahead to the 2014 season. Baseball is a team game, and players' goals tend to reflect that, but the focus of the following article will be on individual goals.

The Tampa Bay Rays face a daunting task each offseason.

Stay competitive on a tight budget.

Competing in the American League East is a difficult task by itself. When you add in the Rays budget compared to the spending ability of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox, and the task becomes exponentially more difficult.

The 2014 season will be better than 2013's version for New York Mets fans because the team will be showcasing its young, promising talent while taking one step closer to completing its plan of becoming a championship contender once again.

2014 is almost here, and that means time for New Year's resolutions, Texas Rangers style.

The Texas Rangers must sign Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka for the 2014 MLB season.

It's pretty simple: Pitching wins in the playoffs.

Christmas has passed, and we're less than a week away from the new year. Most Major League Baseball teams are at or near the completion of their winter shopping, and are looking to make minor moves in the month-and-a-half before spring training.

Then there's the Baltimore Orioles, a team who has the resources to make an impact move or two, but has only seemingly gotten worse on paper.

Former Baltimore Orioles center fielder Paul Blair passed away on Thursday, Dec. 26 at the age of 69.

Blair passed away at Sinai Hospital, according to a hospital spokeswoman (via the Associated Press).

It's that time of year again. Everyone is swearing off junk food, buying gym memberships and looking up local charities in order to hit their New Year's resolutions. But if the Dodgers want to return to the NLCS and have another shot at the World Series, they better make a few of their own.

As the New Year rings in, the St. Louis Cardinals have a lot to look forward to.

They are stocked up on talent at almost every position, are coming off a trip to the World Series and are poised to contend against the National League Central, all with a lower payroll.

Yeah, times are pretty good. But every team has room for improvement and the Cardinals are no exception.

Here are some New Years' resolutions for the birds from St. Louis.