MLB

The Moneyball philosophy may not have resulted in a World Series title for the Oakland Athletics yet, but it undoubtedly had an impact on the way teams are assembled throughout the league.

Whether we're talking about a small-market team facing a payroll crunch or a large-market team with a seemingly endless payroll stream, baseball is still a business. And at the end of the day, it's all about getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to assembling an MLB roster.

Last season, ace-level MLB pitchers had to feel like teenagers in a bad '90s slasher flick—constantly looking over their shoulders, wondering if they'd be next.

In all seriousness, 2014 saw a gaggle of rotation-anchoring arms land on the disabled list with various maladies ranging from nagging to career-threatening. 

Some of those arms entered spring training with a strong prognosis, while others are still battling back. 

With spring training firing up this week, many MLB rosters will begin to take shape in the coming days, but that doesn't mean executives around baseball have finished retooling their teams.

Injuries and/or disgruntled employees can often push a MLB front office into making a deal during spring training. Contenders with holes on their roster might be underwhelmed by what they see on the field in camp, forcing a general manager to make a win-now move. 

While all of the focus at Cincinnati Reds camp will be on the core players, there are a couple of under-the-radar players who could end up being pleasant surprises this spring.

There aren't many spots available on the team's 25-man roster, if everyone is healthy. There figures to be competition for a bench spot, a bullpen spot and two rotation spots.

When the Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent catcher Russell Martin to a five-year, $82 million deal during the offseason, rumors immediately came out that Dioner Navarro had requested to be traded away from the team.

Now, on the first day of spring training, Navarro appears to have confirmed those rumors and reaffirmed his desire to be traded.

The New York Yankees have a ton of question marks heading into spring training. It will be the first time in a long time without Derek Jeter at shortstop. Alex Rodriguez will likely lead the league in publicity, but he may or may not hit. And there is no clear-cut choice to start at second base.

San Francisco Giants pitcher and living American myth Madison Bumgarner continued adding to the tall tale that is his life by channeling Paul Bunyan for a photo shoot at spring training Monday.

Alex Rodriguez reported to spring training Monday for the New York Yankees, seeking to get his career back on track after being suspended in 2014. 

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports was on the scene in Tampa, Florida, to record some key details:

In a 2014 season when countless players were injured and the Texas Rangers finished buried in the standings, Adrian Beltre was about as close to a bright spot as there was to be found. Now, the team has decided he'll likely be a key player for at least the next two seasons, picking up his contract option. 

John Blake, the Executive Vice President of Communications for the Texas Rangers, made the news official:

With their latest signing, the Boston Red Sox have undoubtedly upgraded their future. But as a bonus, it might also lead them to upgrade their present.

Meet Yoan Moncada, and then prepare to meet Boston's new ace.

We'll get to that. But first, the news itself, which MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reported Monday morning: