MLB

With MLB spring training still two weeks away, now is not the time for big league skippers to be writing in their lineups with a Sharpie.

But it's also not too soon to break out the No. 2 pencils and sketch out the batting orders for all 30 major league squads.

In order to project how all these lineups will shake out, we took a look back at the iterations that each manager chose in 2015 and also considered how the new free-agent and trade acquisitions fit into the mix.

The Washington Nationals announced on Tuesday that they agreed to a deal with veteran pitcher Bronson Arroyo. 

The team also revealed it was a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.

All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was a highly coveted free agent this offseason yet chose to remain with the New York Mets instead of changing clubs for a fifth time within three years.

Major League Baseball has requested the assistance of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), as it investigates the claims made in the Al Jazeera documentary, "The Dark Side," that several players received banned substances, per T.J. Quinn of ESPN.com.  

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred stated Monday he's hopeful of playing regular-season games in London as early as the 2017 season.  

Word is Jonathan Lucroy would welcome a trade to a team that has eyes on winning. All he needs now is a team that's willing to bet he can be a star catcher again, which is hardly the craziest notion.

While there are still plenty of familiar names available as free agents, there's a multitude of reasons those players remain unsigned. Some teams may be scared off by price, while others may not believe that those familiar names represent a significant upgrade over their in-house options at a particular position.

One of the best parts about MLB spring training is getting the chance to watch dark horses like Trayce Thompson and Aaron Sanchez, who will be angling to steal jobs from more-established teammates.

Surveying the bigs, there is an array of low-key guys like Thompson and Sanchez who don't have the inside track to a regular gig but who have the potential to make it happen.

They tell you nothing is guaranteed until the ink is dry.

Well, the ink on Manny Machado's love for his wife, Yainee, has not only dried, but it's also about as permanent as it gets.

All-Star catcher Salvador Perez is signed through the 2019 season, but the Kansas City Royals may be looking to hammer out the details on a new contract this offseason. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Monday the Royals are in discussions with Perez on a long-term extension.

Continue for updates.