Opinion

While the Toronto Blue Jays spent the offseason overhauling several positions on the roster, the team decided not to pursue a veteran second baseman. Considering that Toronto’s second basemen batted a combined .247/.295/.340 with just a .634 OPS during the 2014 season, the team’s decision seemed even more puzzling.

Rob Manfred, man of action.

OK, so his first actions as new commissioner aren't exactly blockbusters. Just like the pitchers reporting to camps this weekend, he's still limbering up. But in acting to move the game along, he's striking all the right notes.

Managers no longer will be required to amble out to chat with umpires, stalling, while the decision is made whether or not to challenge a call and request instant replay. They can make that call from the comfort of their very own dugout.

In 2014, the Cleveland Indians saw a number of breakout performances en route to a decent but disappointing finish to the season.

Players like Michael Brantley, Corey Kluber, Cody Allen and Lonnie Chisenhall all took steps forward and helped lead the Indians to their 85-77 record. Here in 2015, the team is looking like a division-title contender, and it'll need those same players to keep up their performance while also relying on a new crop of breakout players in order to fulfill its goals for the year.

As we say hello to spring training, we say goodbye to something else: the Major League Baseball offseason.

As fun as it always is to welcome the start of a new season, I suspect we're going to miss this particular winter. It was more action-packed than the climax of a Marvel movie, complete with huge signings, big trades and even a coronation...of sorts. 

Change was the theme of the offseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers, both on and off the field.

The San Francisco Giants are basking in the glow of their third world championship in five years. In today's era of free agency and player movement, this is indeed a dynasty.

However, the Giants did not make a major splash in the free-agent market this winter, and one must wonder if general manager Brian Sabean has done enough to keep the Giants in contention in 2015.

The Boston Red Sox are set to kick off spring training this week in Fort Myers, Florida.  While there is sure to be some minor roster tinkering before Opening Day arrives, Boston is poised to enter the 2015 season with the team it currently has.

The Red Sox made several key additions this offseason, highlighted by the signings of All-Star sluggers Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez.  But, what about the moves Boston didn't make?

We've already touched on under-the-radar Boston Red Sox to watch this spring as well as hyped prospects to keep an eye on. The natural progression of things now leads us to breakout candidates. 

In late 2013, shortly after the Detroit Tigers were eliminated from the playoffs in the ALCS, they traded Prince Fielder to the Rangers in exchange for Ian Kinsler.

It was a huge blockbuster at the time, and analysts immediately started predicting how potent the Rangers lineup would be with Fielder and powerful third baseman Adrian Beltre hitting in the middle of the order.

It wasn't long ago that Jurickson Profar looked like the future of the Texas Rangers. 

But now, you suddenly have to wonder if he even has a future with the Rangers.