MLB

The Boston Red Sox should have a different clubhouse culture in 2013 than they did in 2011 or 2012. They have a new manager and an assortment of new players, and the organization has made establishing a strong clubhouse a primary directive.

Ever since the news first came out that Grant Balfour would have surgery that would deactivate him for four to six weeks, it has been all good news for Balfour and his rehab.

First, he was back on his feet and walking around the A's clubhouse within 24 hours of going under the knife.  

The grass is cut, the skies in Arizona are clear and the temperatures are perfect. It's time for baseball again in the valley of the sun, which means the Arizona Diamondbacks can put a disappointing 2012 season behind them and start fresh for 2013.

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.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton has the game on the field pretty well mastered. He has tremendous natural talent, and he can look like the game's best player when he's in a groove.

The New York Yankees will not make the playoffs in 2013.

Fahgettaboudit!

Alfonso Soriano doesn't want to play for a losing team anymore (via Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times), and the New York Yankees aren't exactly set at the designated hitter's spot in the lineup. Match made in heaven, right?

Well, not so fast.

The Chicago White Sox season is officially underway as the position players have now joined the pitchers and catchers in Arizona for the start of spring training.

At first glance, the White Sox pitching staff appears to be the strength of the team again, while the offense may have some questions marks.

2012 Record: 79-83 (fourth in NL Central, missed postseason)

Key Additions

C Russell Martin (FA), SP Francisco Liriano (FA), RP Mark Melancon (BOS), IF/OF Jerry Sands (BOS), IF Brandon Inge (FA), 1B/OF Brad Hawpe (FA), IF Ivan DeJesus (BOS), SP Jeanmar Gomez (CLE), SP Jonathan Sanchez (FA), SP Vin Mazzaro (KC), SP Stolmy Pimentel (BOS), SP Andrew Oliver (DET), 1B Clint Robinson (KC)

Key Losses

General manager Sandy Alderson and the New York Mets have been taking a lot of flak lately for the absence of major league talent on the roster as the organization forges on with its painstaking rebuilding period.