MLB

One of the great dangers Major League Baseball teams face when bidding on a player in free agency is what I like to call "The Contract-Year Star."

It takes talent to succeed at the highest level of baseball, sure, but sometimes a player will put in more focus and attention when he knows that a big contract is waiting on the open market. Teams are then forced to decide how much of this increased production is going to stick. 

And we're here at what seems to be the final stop on the train ride exploring all the available free-agent pitching options for the Texas Rangers. Johan Santana was Tuesday morning's first attraction, and he'll be followed by Scott Baker. 

The New York Yankees are known across baseball as having one of the lesser-ranked farm systems in the sport. Now we have an exact number to put on that belief.

In the aftermath of significant, life-threatening head injuries suffered by pitchers, MLB has informed its 30 clubs that padded caps have been approved to provide some head protection against line drives flying back at the mound.

Despite still being in the recovery process from his second shoulder surgery in 31 months, left-handed starter and former ace Johan Santana is drawing some interest on the free-agent market. 

With less than a month to go before spring training starts in Arizona and Florida, we have a good idea of how MLB's top lineups will shake out for 2014.

Looking at the free-agent market, there are only three available players left who figure to have a shot at being in the heart of a 2014 batting order: first baseman Kendrys Morales, outfielder Nelson Cruz and shortstop Stephen Drew.

So when looking at baseball's most deadly 3-4-5 combos heading into the spring, the rosters around the league are all but set.

Major League Baseball and its Players Association have reached an agreement on a protective game cap for pitchers, which is designed to provide far greater protection against line drives. Use of the new hat will be optional. 

Pitching may win championships, but having a high-powered offense to back that pitching goes an awful long way as well. Look no further than the reigning champion Boston Red Sox, who led the MLB in runs scored last season while finishing 14th in team ERA.

The position-player market has unfolded much faster than the pitching market this offseason, due in large part to a number of teams playing wait and see with Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka.

Step by step, the MLB offseason riddle is beginning to come together as the game's top remaining players pick landing spots.

The report date for Los Angeles Dodger pitchers and catchers is just a few short weeks away, so it’s time to take a look at what we expect from each of them. Keep in mind that the team’s massive payroll means that many of the major league roster spots are all but guaranteed, so there probably won’t be many surprises.

With that being said, though, there are always excellent and unexpected stories, so here’s a primer on each player who will report to Camelback Ranch in the middle of February.