Opinion

While the on-field product and overall result may be uninspiring for the next several years, the future is undeniably bright for the Chicago Cubs.

Matt Kemp is set to make his first start of the spring today in Glendale, Arizona.  

And though he's already had five spring at-bats with no hits, Kemp is focused on having a monster year in 2013 for the Dodgers.  

The Texas Rangers made themselves into a baseball monument with back-to-back trips to the World Series in 2010 and 2011. But over the last few months, the monument has been slowly chipped away.

So much so, in fact, that it now feels like only the face remains. And now that may be going too.

Yes, now. The Rangers lost their superstar when Josh Hamilton left town, but his departure didn't leave the franchise without a face. 

The Bruce Rondon era for the Detroit Tigers is on hold.

For the first time in what feels like 100 years, the American League East is as wide open as any division in baseball. 

Instead of the usual talk about the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, there is very real, very legitimate buzz surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays for the first time since the franchise won back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993. 

Baseball is trying to globalize itself and to some extent, it's working. The third World Baseball Classic will hear the cry of "jugar a la pelota!" or maybe "bal spelen!" this week in another attempt to globalize the game with mixed results.

Although the World Baseball Classic does not have the hype surrounding it in 2013 that it has had in the past, it is still an event that garners tremendous national pride.

Okay, call me crazy, but I know I'm right...  

San Diego Padres closer Huston Street will be the late-round fantasy draft closer of the year.

Well, that is if he can stay healthy for a full season.

The first week of Spring Training has come and gone, and there are a few interesting developments within the Pirates organization.

The majority of Spring Training results are meaningless (Andrew McCutchen isn't going to bat .143 this season), but the Pirates have so many interesting, fringe-starter types on their roster that there is more information worth monitoring than usual.

The #MartePartay Begins

The Los Angeles Angels front office has made a big mistake in their handling of young phenom Mike Trout already. 

The club renewed the dynamic outfielder's contract for a mere $510,000 (h/t Yahoo! Sports). That's just $20,000 over the league's minimum salary.