MLB

There is no shortage of challenges facing small-market teams as they look to compete with teams that have a payroll double and in some cases triple the size of theirs.

However, as teams like the Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays showed last season, it's not always about how much money you have to spend.

For the players on small-market teams, flying under the radar often leads to an unfair lack of attention for guys who could very well be household names playing in a larger market.

While the Cubs don't have a whole lot of decisions to make this spring, there are still a couple of spring position battles that have played out over the course of the last month. Even though there's a small sample size for most players, the numbers for each player speak for themselves. How well they've passed the "eye test" and how their numbers stack up against each other is how each player will be judged. 

Spring training is coming to a close and position battles are to be won or lost.

With the 2014 MLB season nearly upon us, the Boston Red Sox find themselves in an enviable position of defending their third World Series title in the last 10 years.

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus is working his way back from forearm tightness this spring and will soon make his return to the diamond, according to Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Jeff Wilson on Twitter:

Just because the next Mike Trout or Bryce Harper might not show up for another 10-20 years doesn't mean that Major League Baseball is devoid of young players with superstar potential who are ready to take the stage as the "next big thing."

But what is it that qualifies a player for this list? It's quite simple, actually, but I still implore you to read though it:

The Giants System Check video offers a quick overview of the team's farm system, addressing its strengths and weaknesses and how it can improve moving forward. The video also provides a breakdown of the Giants' top prospects for 2014, pitchers Kyle Crick, Edwin Escobar and Chris Stratton, including each player's ETA in the major leagues and potential long-term role within the organization.

Whereas the 2014 American League MVP race will likely be between Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera again, the NL MVP race should be more wide open again. Andrew McCutchen will be in it, as will Yadier Molina, Buster Posey, Joey Votto and Bryce Harper. Just to name a few.

The story this week has been pitching injuries, but while the outbreak of Tommy John across the league got headlines, it's not unusual. Tommy John surgery is happening more and more. Remember, David Wells, a player from the not-too-distant past, may have been one of the first 10 MLB players to have the surgery.

Atlanta Braves fans have seen a little bit of everything this spring training, including season-ending injuries and free-agent signings. The season-ending injuries are never a wanted sight at this time of year, and they have forced the Braves to fill some holes.

Meanwhile, the players in camp are preparing for a fast-approaching Opening Day. Like any team, the Braves have had some pleasant surprises with elevated play. Unfortunately, the flip side of that coin is that the team has also had some flops this spring training.