MLB

With the start of 2015's third month, each new MLB season is officially in its infancy. 

And as with a young child, spring training is often associated with good vibes and happy feelings regarding the long road ahead. 

If New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has his way, Derek Jeter will be the last captain in franchise history.

Multiple international baseball players have made enormous impacts over the last few seasons. As the talent keeps coming, international bonus money pools continue to rise from year to year. 

It was one game, two at-bats. Also, it's spring training. So take this with a boulder-sized grain of salt. Still, when it comes to Ryan Howard and the Philadelphia Phillies, any good news is welcome.

On Tuesday, Howard delivered some good news.

The Seattle Mariners will take the field for the first time since September tomorrow when they play the San Diego Padres in their opening spring training game.

We'll be able to get a glimpse of what the 2015 Atlanta Braves will look like when their spring training games begin on Wednesday. 

There are still lots of questions to be answered this spring training. Who wins the second base job? Who platoons with Jonny Gomes in left field? How does the bullpen shake out? Who is the fifth starter in the rotation?

About a week has gone by since spring training officially started for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A fresh start is exactly what's needed in the desert after producing the MLB's worst record in 2014.

Offseason acquisitions such as Yasmany Tomas and Jeremy Hellickson should have the fanbase confident that a turnaround isn't too far away.

Here’s the first look at the 2015 Lester’s Legends designated hitter rankings.

1. Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays

Edwin Encarnacion has averaged 86 runs, 37.3 home runs and 104 RBI over the past three seasons. He’s a great bet for power, but as a .265 career hitter, he could hurt you in the batting-average category. Encarnacion also has first base eligibility.

The Yankees will take the field March 3 for the first spring game of their 2015 season. 

The team is hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2014 season which saw it finish second in the AL East by a whopping 12 games. To do that, the Yankees will have to deal with a new crop of players, injury concerns and the departure of longtime shortstop and surefire Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, as well as the big dark cloud hanging over Alex Rodriguez.

There's generally not much in the way of trade or free-agent buzz during the early stages of MLB spring training, but sometimes there are a few rumors that warrant a serious look.