Opinion

Ervin Santana's situation isn't unique. He's a big-name free agent who's still looking for work, but he's not the only one. Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales are in the same boat.

Santana's situation is, however, more puzzling. The right-hander is an innings-eater who's coming off a career-best 3.24 ERA, and he's floating on a market that has been very kind to pitchers.

In most areas, the St. Louis Cardinals are one of the heavyweights. Power lineup. Power starters. Power relievers.

The bench, however? Well, let’s be generous by calling them lightweights.

For a team possessing all the ingredients to reach the World Series this season, a bench absent of any semblance of pop could be a thorn in their strategy for success.

With spring training officially underway, what will the Phillies' starting rotation order look like in the regular season? 

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As play heats up in Arizona and Florida, the start of the regular season moves closer to reality for baseball fans. Yet, despite the calendar inching toward spring, winter isn't over for some teams.

Offseason activity still exists, especially within free agent circles impacted by draft compensation, lingering trade activity and teams looking to find the missing piece to a complete 25-man roster.

Earlier today, Bleacher Report had an exclusive opportunity to speak with 19-time American League All-Star and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.

Aside from Ripken's broadcasting work, the former iron man is working with Transitions adaptive lenses, spreading awareness about eyesight problems and encouraging parents to remain diligent with testing their children.

Ian Kinsler will enjoy a new start with the Detroit Tigers this season, but not before taking some parting shots at his old team. 

It's March and Ervin Santana is still sitting out there in free agency without a home. The Kansas City Royals still have a glaring hole at the top of their starting rotation. 

The solution for both sides would seem to be pretty simple at this point: a one-year deal for the $14.1 million qualifying offer that Santana turned down at the start of free agency. It allows both sides to save face and move forward for the 2014 season.

Spring training is in full swing and the St. Louis Cardinals are creating plenty of buzz. The reigning National League champions have a stacked roster at the major league level. It is the continued improvement of the players in the farm system that keeps the fans coming back for more early in spring.

There is plenty of optimism surrounding the New York Mets heading into the 2014 season, but is there too much at this point in the spring?

John Harper of the New York Daily News reported on February 27 that Mets general manager Sandy Alderson set a goal of 90 wins in a meeting with team executives.

If you missed it, Major League Baseball took its first step into a brave new world on Monday. 

Nearly two months after the league announced that expanded replay would be implemented in 2014, the league made replay available for a test drive in three spring training exhibitions on Monday: Blue Jays vs. Twins, Angels vs. Diamondbacks and Cubs vs. Brewers.