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For the first time in years, the New York Mets spent significant money on free-agent talent during the offseason. Among the expenditures: Curtis Granderson‘s four-year, $60 million deal.

Although Mets fans will have to wait a month for Granderson’s debut at Citi Field, the former Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees star can begin to help transform a poor Mets lineup during the Grapefruit League slate. That schedule began Friday with an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals.

Last year, despite featuring third baseman David Wright’s .390 on-base percentage, the Mets scored only 619 runs and hit just 130 home runs.

Those figures, per ESPN, ranked 23rd and 25th, respectively, in Major League Baseball.

If the Mets are going to morph from a 74-win outfit to a 90-win powerhouse—an attainable goal according to their front office, per John Harper of the New York Daily News—Granderson’s powerful bat and run-scoring ability will be a major part of the turnaround.

Due to long-term injury issues, Granderson’s 2013 was limited to 245 forgettable plate appearances. In 2014, the Mets need their impact addition to profile as the type of performer he was from 2011 to 2012 for the Yankees. 

During those two seasons, Granderson posted averages of 42 home runs, 119 runs scored and 4.2 bWAR.

How did Granderson fare during his first game in a Mets uniform? Here are updates and takeaways from the debut of New York’s newest star.

New Team, New Role

The Grapefruit League is just underway for the Mets, but if the first game is any indication of how manager Terry Collins plans to use his new, expensive outfielder, an adjustment will be necessary for Granderson.

During Granderson’s 10-year career, he’s made just nine starts as a right fielder. Offensively, his name has been penciled into the No. 3 hole in the lineup just 25 times. 

Despite his track record as a center fielder and top-of-the-order hitter, Granderson started the exhibition season as New York’s right fielder and No. 3 hitter.

Defensively, Granderson should be able to adjust without a problem. In reality, as he enters his age-33 season, moving away from the demanding defensive position of center field is a good move for Granderson’s defensive value.

Over the last three years, Granderson was worth a total dWAR (defensive WAR) of minus-0.8 for the Yankees outfield. In other words, he cost the Yankees due to diminishing defense in center field.

Offensively, Granderson can excel by hitting ahead of David Wright in the order. With one of baseball’s best all-around players behind him, pitchers won’t want to pitch around Granderson and put him on base ahead of the dangerous Wright.

If it comes to patience at the plate, Granderson shouldn’t have trouble taking a walk ahead of a talented hitter. During his time with the Yankees, Granderson often hit in the No. 2 hole in the lineup, ahead of impact bats like Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. 

Over the last three years, Granderson’s walk rate hasn’t dipped below 11 percent.

Focus on Timing, Not Health

When considering Granderson’s ability to stay on the field this summer, don’t let his freak injuries—stemming from two separate hit-by-pitch sequences—cloud what he’s been during a long career: one of baseball’s most durable players.

From 2006 to 2012, Granderson played in 1,070 games, averaging 153 per season. Only eight players—Prince Fielder, Adrian Gonzalez, Ichiro Suzuki, Miguel Cabrera, Dan Uggla, Robinson Cano, Michael Young and Jeff Francoeur—topped him in that category, per Baseball-Reference (subscription required).

Among that list of iron men, only Ichiro Suzuki and Jeff Francoeur did it as outfielders. 

Yet, strictly going by games played in 2013, Granderson could be labeled as damaged goods or a question mark heading into this season.

Instead of fretting about his health, pay attention to timing and comfort in the box. Injuries happen, but Granderson lost a major chunk of his free-agent season due to errant pitches. If he’s jumpy in the box or looks uncomfortable early in spring training, it’s something he has to work through. 

Unlike players with hamstring or ankle concerns, Granderson should be a lock for 150 games in 2014.

Performance

When a team shells out $15 million per season for a player, performance isn’t just vital; it supersedes everything.

Granderson’s arrival gave the Mets legitimacy on the free-agent market, but he’ll need to live up to the contract in 2014 and beyond by playing a solid outfield and hitting the cover off the baseball in Queens.

During his first exhibition game, Granderson looked comfortable in right field, easily gliding to a fly ball for an inning-ending out in the top of the third. 

Offensively, Granderson flied to left field in the bottom of the first inning, grounded out to second in the fourth and was removed from the game before a third plate appearance.

Granderson finished the day 0-for-2.

Takeaways

Granderson will be a vital performer for the Mets in 2014. If he hits close to the level of 2011-2012, David Wright will have another middle-of-the-order bat to take the pressure off him and help New York’s offense rise out of the bottom third of league ranks.

Furthermore, the veteran will be looked upon as a leader and one of the faces of the franchise.

During SNY’s broadcast, the Mets broadcast team raved about the type of person that Granderson is around the facility and clubhouse. For a franchise looking to win games and sell tickets, the affable star can be a marketing dream.

What were your impressions of Granderson’s first game in a Mets uniform? Comment, follow me on Twitter or “like” my Facebook page to talk about all things baseball.

Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted. All contract figures courtesy of Cot’s Baseball Contracts. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Tampa Bay Rays have most of their roster spots already locked in for 2014.

Unless a player like Sean Rodriguez has a completely terrible spring, there are only two spots available on the 25-man roster. Those openings are for the final bench player and final reliever.

Jeremy Hellickson’s surgery has opened a need for a fifth starter; though that position is a temporary fill until he returns in May.

Jayson Nix is working to solidify himself for the final bench position.

Working to his advantage is his ability to play multiple positions. The majority of his career (300 games out of 405) he has played either third base (179 games) or second base (121 games). In addition, he has appeared in 83 games at shortstop and 22 games as a corner outfielder.

Being able to play multiple positions fits perfectly into the Rays’ mold. Rodriguez and Ben Zobrist are other players on the roster who provide manager Joe Maddon with the flexibility to move them around to create the best lineup overall.

So far this spring training, Maddon has been impressed with the effort of Nix, as he explained to Joe Smith from the Tampa Bay Times.

This guy is an uber professional. That’s all he’s about. He just wants to play the game, play it right, be part of a group and understand what the overall philosophy is. I’ve known him for a week, I feel like I’ve known him for the last 10 years. Any manager, any organization would love to have him within the group. He is that guy.

Injuries are an important factor that can increase the odds that Nix makes the roster.

The loss of Tim Beckham for the year creates an additional need for a versatile infielder. Rays prospect Hak-Ju Lee is recovering from a knee injury sustained last year in Triple-A Durham.

Another asset he brings to the table is consistent defense. He has a career .967 fielding percentage over his six seasons in the majors. At second base, he excels with a .988 fielding percentage.

One area of concern is the lack of offensive production.

He has a career .218/.290/.358 line. Last season, he had 80 strikeouts in 87 games with the New York Yankees.

Nix will have to edge out other infielders including Logan Forsythe and Vince Belnome, who are also competing in spring training to make the Opening Day roster.

All statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference unless otherwise noted.

Follow @JWilburg

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The excitement surrounding the new season officially began when the first pitches were thrown out on Monday. The Atlanta Braves still have unanswered questions about their starting rotation, which should be settled in the next few weeks.

Using the projected rotation of Alex Wood, Julio Teheran, Kris Medlen, Mike Minor and Brandon Beachy, in no particular order, the Braves have several young pitchers with very few years of experience between them. Lack of experience can be deadly in October. Here’s how the pitchers can help propel their team into the playoffs. 

For starters, Evan Gattis didn’t play catcher for the majority of the games last season. These pitchers need to become comfortable with his style of play during spring training. Once the season begins, the focus needs to shift from Gattis to how these pitchers carry themselves in a game. Consistency is key.

The first part of the regular season could be rocky for the Braves. Beachy is still a big question mark. If he is able to make a full recovery from Tommy John surgery and fall back into his groove in the beginning of the season, then that’s the best-case scenario.

Before his injury in 2012, Beachy held a 2.00 ERA but could only complete 13 games before needing surgery. He was able to start five games last season, holding a less impressive 4.50 ERA. That isn’t surprising or unexpected; he needed to shake off the cobwebs and play it safe so he didn’t irritate his shoulder or injure himself again. However, for the Braves to maximize their playoff chances, Beachy must prove he hasn’t lost his game.

Alex Wood is another uncertainty this season. He’s a young star with potential. He started 11 games for the Braves last season, while also spending 20 games as a relief pitcher. He may have a shaky start to the season if he lands a spot on the starting rotation but will hopefully find his footing as a valuable asset to the team as the season moves forward.

The Braves need a pitcher that will stand as a leader. When Tim Hudson left for San Francisco during the offseason, the move left Atlanta without a real seasoned veteran in the rotation. This position could belong to any of the remaining three pitchers listed above—Teheran, Medlen or Minor. One of these players needs to step up and feel confident leading the team.

Keep in mind that these young pitchers are very talented. Setting records for the ball club at the start of their careers shows that they have potential and ability. Braves reporter Kevin McAlpin tweeted an important stat at the end of last season:

Medlen always looks like he is having fun on the mound. He would be able to calm the team down in the high pressure October days. With a 3.11 ERA in 2013, he would be a solid pitcher that players should feel comfortable standing behind.

Minor would also be a candidate for this role, considering he has been forced to teach himself to calm down. Not so long ago, as Braves fans may remember, Minor used to sail through a few innings without problems, then, after one mistake, Minor would fall apart. He’s matured since those frustrating days and deals with tough jams with a calm and collected demeanor.

Minor has played in more games each season since his 2010 debut and lowered his ERA each season. He currently is sitting with a 3.21 ERA, but a new season has the possibility of even lower numbers. He has surprised us before; it could happen again.

Fast forward the video below to 0:34. These are highlights of Minor’s playoff performance against the Dodgers last season. He was reliable in his first playoff start; there’s reason to believe that he’ll be successful in the future, as well. 

Not only is the pitching staff young and fairly inexperienced, but so are the majority of the Braves team. In order to keep the team calm during the playoffs, the pitchers need to be able to bring the team into October with momentum.

Momentum is a funny thing. It can turn games around in the blink of an eye and, depending which side your team is on, make you jump off your couch or crumble to the floor. This isn’t to say that the pitchers are the only ones responsible for creating a winning record as the postseason nears. However, if their pitching is consistent and reliable, the bats will hopefully come through on their side.

Young teams need momentum much more than veteran teams. Veterans have seen both sides and know, for the most part, what works and how to stay calm in the middle of the biggest games of their careers. Younger players haven’t gotten the chance to build this wisdom yet. Without many veterans on the Braves squad, they need to learn this on their own and have the momentum push them forward, while they’re gaining the experience.

The four games that the Braves played in October last year will help this team. The ones who weren’t around for 2012 now know the burning feeling of defeat in the first round of the playoffs, as far too many Braves and fans have had to endure for years. They also know the pressure, atmosphere and what to expect. The pitchers that weren’t on last year’s roster will rely on the few that were.

There hasn‘t been an official word from the clubhouse regarding the pitching rotation or opening day pitcher, but that hasn‘t stopped reporters from making speculations. 

Once the starting rotation is solidified in the next few weeks, the process can begin, keeping in mind that consistency and momentum are key. The lack of experience will not ruin Atlanta’s playoff chances if these pieces all fall together. 

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Here’s a look at the 2014 Lester’s Legends’ third base rankings for AL-only fantasy baseball leagues.

1. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

Although Miguel Cabrera is playing first base this year, he maintains eligibility at third base in most fantasy baseball leagues.

Regardless of whether you use him at first or third base, he’s the premier player at his position. 

Seriously, what more can be said about Cabrera after his second straight MVP-winning season? If it weren’t for Chris Davis (53 HR, 138 RBI) having a breakout season last year, we’d be talking about Cabrera as a back-to-back Triple Crown winner.

Cabrera’s career average looks like this: .321 BA, 33 HR, 115 RBI, 97 R, 3 SB. Playing first base could help Cabrera avoid nagging injuries and become even more effective.

2. Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers

Adrian Beltre is coming off a .315-88-30-92-1 line. Over the past four years, he’s hitting .314 with 87.3 runs, 31.5 home runs and 100.3 RBI.

The Rangers figure to have a potent offense with the addition of Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo. Beltre remains an elite option.

3. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

Evan Longoria bounced back last year with a .269-91-32-88-1 line. He should be able to improve his batting average while providing ample runs, home runs and RBI.

He no longer offers you the added bonus of stolen bases, as he has six in the past three seasons combined, but he offers plenty elsewhere.

4. Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics

Josh Donaldson exploded on the scene with a .301-89-24-93-5 line. He’s not as established as the top three choices, but you can’t overlook last year’s success.

Donaldson is a little bit of a risk, but the potential is there.

5. Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles

Manny Machado (knee) should be ready for Opening Day, which should help the phenom build on the solid .283-88-14-71-6 line he posted in his first full season. Obviously, his health is a concern, but at 21 years old, he’s loaded with potential. Machado is the poster boy for upside.

6. Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners

Kyle Seager posted his second consecutive season with at least 20 home runs. He hit .260 with 79 runs, 22 home runs, 69 RBI and nine stolen bases.

With an average of 21 home runs and 11 stolen bases over the past two years, he is sneaky power-speed combination player.

7. Brett Lawrie, Toronto Blue Jays

Brett Lawrie was a popular breakout candidate last year but finished with a .254-41-11-46-9 line. If he can get back to his production of 2011, when he hit .293 with nine home runs and seven stolen bases in a 43-game cup of coffee, he will be a stud.

He has the potential for 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases.

8. Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox

Xander Bogaerts should have eligibility at both third base and shortstop, which gives him added value. He hit just .250 with seven runs, one home run, five home runs and one stolen base in 18 regular-season games but stepped up his game in the playoffs.

Bogaerts hit .296 with nine runs in 12 games en route to a World Series title. In Boston’s potent lineup for a full year, Bogaerts should have a solid year.

9. Will Middlebrooks, Boston Red Sox

Will Middlebrooks saw his average dip big time from .288 as a rookie to .227 as a sophomore, but he still managed to hit 17 home runs in 94 games. He definitely packs power, as he has 32 home runs in 169 games and 615 at-bats.

He’s slated to be the everyday third baseman, which should lead to solid power numbers.

10. David Freese, Los Angeles Angels

David Freese saw a dip in production, hitting .262 with 53 runs, nine home runs and 60 RBI. He is a .286 career hitter who slugged 20 home runs in 2012. He should rebound in his first season in Anaheim.

Also check out:

• 2014 Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings
• 2014 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Rankings
• 2014 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Rankings
• 2014 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings
• 2014 Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Rankings

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Last year, the Kansas City Royals were playoff contenders for much of the season.

After winning 86 games during the 2013 campaign, KC is looking to build on that in 2014.

In order to get there, the Royals will need several players to step up and play at a higher level this season.

Here are five players the Royals need big contributions from this year.

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Last June, the Pittsburgh Pirates received a booster shot that they may reap the benefits from for years to come.  That insurance was the debut of the first pick in the 2011 amateur draft, starting pitcher Gerrit Cole.  

Cole made his presence known immediately last season, taking a shutout into the seventh inning against the Giants in his major league debut on June 11 of last year.  With his presence in the rotation, Pittsburgh clinched its first playoff birth in twenty years.    

In 19 games, Cole tallied a record of 10-7 with a 3.22 ERA. He also showed his effectiveness in getting batters to swing and miss, striking out 100 batters in 117.1 innings pitched.  

So, the question that all Pirates fans want to know the answer to presents itself: What should we expect from Gerrit Cole in his first full season with the Pirates?

At only 23 years of age, Gerrit Cole looked like one of the most mature pitchers in baseball last year, staying calm and collected on the mound.  He even earned a win in the National League Divisional Series against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals.  

Now, there will always be the discussion of the infamous “sophomore slump” for players like Cole who break into the scene at such a young age.

However, with the high-caliber pitches he has in his arsenal and his ability to use them effectively, there should be no doubt that Cole will pick up right where he left off last season.

 This report from FanGraphs shows how well Cole mixes his pitches, which send batters back to the dugout shaking their heads.  

In his arsenal, he has a blazing fastball which reached 96.1 miles per hour in the divisional series last season.  According to the same report on FanGraphs, that was the highest registered speed on a pitch thrown by a pitcher with at least 110 innings pitched in 2013.  

Given the amount of aces and power pitchers in the MLB, it is pretty remarkable that he owned the fastest pitch that late into the season.  

After losing veteran starting pitcher A.J. Burnett to the Phillies in free agency, the Pirates have put Cole in the number two slot behind Francisco Liriano in the starting rotation.  According to the team depth chart on MLB.com, the Pirates will round out their rotation with Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke and either Edinson Volquez or Wandy Rodriguez.  Those four pitchers combined for only 32 wins in 2013, so the Pirates will be hoping for production from Cole.  

Due to the confidence he carries himself with on the mound and his ability to get batters out with any of his pitches, there is no reason to believe that Cole won’t have an even better season in 2014. 

In 2014, Cole will look to contribute to Pittsburgh’s second straight playoff birth, but this may also be the season he breaks out as an individual. Barring any sort of major injury, Cole has the potential to collect more than one Cy Young Award in his career.  

That may seem like a bold statement to make about a pitcher who hasn’t pitched a full season yet, but he is simply that overpowering.  In fact, don’t be surprised if he is in the running for the National League Cy Young Award as early as this season.  

The future is bright for the Pirates, and Gerrit Cole will be in the center of the mix for years to come.  He can do it all, and he will continue to prove that in 2014.  

*Statistics Courtesy of FanGraph, BaseballReference and MLB.com 

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Hyun-Jin Ryu emerged as one of the top rookie pitchers in the National League in 2013, serving as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ third starter for the entire season and making all but one scheduled start. 

Signed to a six-year, $36 million contract prior to the 2013 season after an impressive tenure in the Korean Baseball Organization, Ryu led all qualified NL rookies with 192 innings pitched, ranked second in wins (14), third in ERA (3.00) and fourth in strikeouts (154).

The left-hander also proved he could handle the pressure of the postseason, tossing seven scoreless innings in a win over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of the NLCS, with the Dodgers down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.

However, as the 27-year-old embarks on his second season in the major leagues, he’ll be expected to build off his impressive rookie campaign and help the Dodgers return to the postseason.

With any player coming off an impressive rookie season, a big deal is made about his capacity for improvement in context of the dreaded sophomore slump. After a full season in the major leagues, opposing teams generally have excess scouting reports at their disposal and therefore are knowledgeable of a player’s specific tendencies in all facets of the game.

While Ryu may not post the same eye-catching numbers he did last year as a rookie, the left-hander shouldn’t fall victim to a sophomore slump in 2014.

Best Shape of His Life?

Ryu was the first to admit that he was “unprepared” entering his rookie campaign, as he spent a majority of last offseason dealing with contract negotiations before signing in early December with the Dodgers. 

This year, however, the southpaw has a better idea of what to expect in spring training, and more importantly, what it requires physically to survive a full season in the major leagues.

Speaking with Ken Gurnick of MLB.com earlier this month, Ryu stated “last year was trying with the contract, and I didn’t get a head start. I’ve had more time to prepare this year.”

“My teammates definitely push me. At the end of the day, you have to do it yourself. I just try to be in the best shape I can. I’m an athlete; it’s my job to be in the best condition,” he added.

Besides missing one start due in early September due to back stiffness, Ryu didn’t show any obvious signs of fatigue last season, such as a declining release point or dip in velocity. So if he’s actually in better shape this year as he claims—don’t expect it to show physically—the left-hander should be more prepared for the rigors of a full season.

Against Righties 

Ryu fared well against right-handed hitters last season, registering a .245 opponents’ batting average and 1.45 ground-ball rate with a 117-35 strikeout-to-walk rate in 145.1 innings. A look at the left-hander’s pitch-specific splits reveals his overall effectiveness was directly tied to his fastball and changeup usage. When Ryu was hit hard, it was usually on a curveball or slider.

Simply put: Right-handed batters feasted on Ryu’s breaking balls last season, consistently driving both pitches when they were located in the lower-two-thirds of the strike zone, and even those off the outside corner: 

The above zone profile would suggest that right-handed batters were able to recognize Ryu’s curveball and slider out of his hand, tracking the break into the strike zone and putting a good swing on the ball.

As a result, Ryu primarily used his fastball-changeup combination last season against righties. Actually, he would have struggled even more if not for the season-long effectiveness of his changeup, as he used the pitch to hold right-handed batters to a .165 batting average on the year.

Assuming that opposing hitters look for his changeup more often in 2014, Ryu has the potential to take a step forward with improved execution and sequencing of both breaking pitches. He had success last year with both offerings when working over the plate but still below the strike zone, so it’ll be interesting to see if he attacks hitters there more aggressively in the coming season.   

2014 Projections 

Now that we’ve examined a few reasons why Ryu will avoid a sophomore slump, it’s time to take a look at what the major projection models (ZIPS, Steamer and Oliver) predict for his 2014 season:  

Ryu’s BABIP and FIP suggest that the left-hander wasn’t necessarily the beneficiary of luck last season, though some of that might have been negated by his high strand rate.

The combination of Ryu’s strong command and lack of a universal swing-and-miss offering has made the left-hander adept at escaping jams. Last season he logged a total of 42 innings with runners in scoring position, holding opposing hitters to a .228 batting average in those situations while posting a strand rate of 78.2 percent.

Each of the projection models believes Ryu’s strand rate will normalize in 2014, though it shouldn’t adversely impact his ERA and FIP in the long run. They also project he’ll post strikeout and walk rates similar to the ones he did last year as a rookie (7.22 K/9, 2.30 BB/9).

The one outlier across the three models is the ZIPS projection for Ryu’s home run rate (1.18 HR/9) next season, which is considerably higher than the Oliver (0.77) and Steamer (0.72) forecasts. However, that trend seemingly is taken into consideration, as ZIPS also calls for him to post a 3.65 ERA and 3.93 FIP—his highest projected totals for each category.

If Ryu can stay healthy and the projection models prove to be mostly accurate, then the 27-year-old should be a similar pitcher to what he showed in 2013. And though his improvements might be minimal, there’s nothing to suggest Ryu is in store for a regression next season.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Detroit Tigers have won three straight American League Central titles, as they have sandwiched ALCS eliminations around an AL pennant in 2012 that saw them swept by the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.

Despite that recent run of success, they parted ways with a pair of key contributors this offseason, trading Prince Fielder and Doug Fister with an eye on saving money for future extensions for Max Scherzer and Miguel Cabrera.

Ian Kinsler was acquired from the Texas Rangers in the Fielder trade, and he gives the lineup a completely different outlook out of the top spot. The team also signed All-Star closer Joe Nathan and appears ready to turn an everyday job over the Nick Castellanos.

Drew Smyly will move from the bullpen to the rotation to replace Fister, with Ian Krol and Joba Chamberlain joining Nathan as newcomers in the bullpen.

Through all of that shuffling, they still look like the team to beat in the AL Central and one of the best all-around teams in the American League. Time will tell if they can get over the hump and win it all this season.

For now, the team is in Lakeland, Fla. preparing for the upcoming season. We’ll use the following space to track the latest game results and other key news on a daily basis, so be sure to check back here for all the latest Tigers news leading up to Opening Day.

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With the Detroit Tigers’ romp over Florida Southern, 12-0, on Tuesday, MLB spring training is officially under way.

Over the next month, MLB’s 30 teams will be split into either the Cactus League or Grapefruit League. Each team will battle it out, attempting to get its players into shape for the beginning of the season.

Although the talent during spring training generally isn’t on par with the talent on display during the regular season, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be some exciting matchups to keep an eye on.

Here are three of the more intriguing meetings during MLB’s spring training schedule (Feb. 25-March 30). 

Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals

It was only four months ago that these two clubs duked it out for the 2013 World Series.

In recent years, it’s become commonplace to see one or both of these teams battling it out for all the marbles.

In fact, since 2004, the Red Sox and Cardinals have combined for seven World Series appearances, winning five of them. Unfortunately for St. Louis, two of Boston’s three championships came at its expense.

Still, that didn’t stop Grantland’s Jonah Keri from putting the Cardinals on top in his preseason power rankings:

With no love lost between these clubs, they will meet twice during spring training—once on March 6 and again on March 17.

The stakes may not be as high, but you can bet both sides will be striving to earn bragging rights.

New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox

In what is arguably one of the most heated rivalries in all of sports, the Yankees just added more fuel to the fire. 

That came when New York signed center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to a seven-year, $153-million deal back in December.

The issue? Ellsbury spent the last seven seasons with the Red Sox.

You can add the 30-year-old’s name to the likes of Babe Ruth, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Johnny Damon and other former Boston stars to swap in their red socks for pinstripes.

But that’s not the only new signing the Yankees will be showing off:

It’s obvious that New York isn’t too pleased with its 85-77 record and third-place finish in the AL East last year. Furthermore, it marked the first time the club had missed the postseason since 2008.

The two rivals will face off twice in the matter of three days on March 18 and 20.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Although the Diamondbacks held the head-to-head advantage in 2013—10-9—the Dodgers had the last laugh, winning the NL West by a whopping 11 games.

Whether they like it or not, these two clubs won’t waste time getting reacquainted with one another over the next month.

Arizona and Los Angeles are set to play one another in back-to-back days from Feb. 26-27. The two are then scheduled to meet again on March 12.

But if that wasn’t enough familiarity, the Diamondbacks and Dodgers will open the MLB regular season with a two-game set from March 22-23 in Sydney, Australia, at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground. 

While teams usually treat their spring training schedule as nothing more than warm ups, for both Arizona and Los Angeles, the three spring meetings will serve as an opportunity to steal momentum heading into their 2014 opening series clash in Sydney.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of ESPN.

For complete coverage and everything college football, you can reach Sebastian on Facebook, Twitter and via email at Sebastian.LenaBR@gmail.com.

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Last season was a rough one for the New York Yankees.

The team battled injuries all season long. Alex Rodriguez was once again in the news amidst a steroids scandal. The Yankees finished 85-77 and missed the postseason altogether for the first time since 2008 (and just the second time since 1993). Mariano Rivera retired. And to cap it all off, their hated rivals, the Boston Red Sox, won the World Series.

Yes, it was a rough season for the Bronx Bombers.   

But spring training is here, and with it brings a new start for the Yankees. The club was once again busy this offseason, signing Jacoby Ellsbury, Masahiro Tanaka, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, Matt Thornton, Kelly Johnson and Brian Roberts, while star second baseman Robinson Cano and outfielder Curtis Granderson signed elsewhere over the winter.

After last year’s disappointment, there are plenty of Yankees fans eager to get a look at the club this spring. Below, you’ll find the team’s full schedule, a recap from every game they play before the regular season begins and a prediction for how they’ll fare this season.

Feb. 25: Yankees beat Florida State, 8-3

Led by Ramon Flores (2-for-2, one home run, one RBI, two runs) and Dean Anna (reached base three times, scored two runs), the Yankees opened spring training by defeating the Florida State baseball team, 8-3.

Vidal Nuno, Brian Gordon and Bryan Mitchell each pitched two scoreless innings for the Yankees, while John Sansone’s bases-loaded double in the sixth inning accounted for all three of Florida State’s runs.

Of course, all of the talk in this game was Florida State Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston facing the Bronx Bombers, not that he fared particularly well, via Bleacher Report:

After, Winston joked that the Yankees still might want his signature, via Michele Steele of ESPN:

Brett Gardner, Francisco Cervelli, Kelly Johnson and Brendan Ryan were the biggest names to make an appearance for the Yankees, so Winston was the game’s main attraction.

Pre-Spring Training Prediction for 2014 Season

If the Yankees can stay healthy, they should have a pretty nasty lineup. A core group of Ellsbury, Derek Jeter, McCann, Beltran, Mark Teixeira and Alfonso Soriano should provide plenty of pop, and the Yankees could conceivably be among the leaders in runs scored and home runs this year.

That’s if they stay healthy, however, which is a pretty huge “if” considering this team is pretty darn old. They are only a few injuries away from sinking down the standings again.

The pitching staff will be reliant on two unknowns: Can CC Sabathia turn things around after a disappointing 2013 season, and can Tanaka take the American League by storm?

If the answer to both of those questions is “yes,” the Yankees will have a nasty one-two combination atop the rotation, bolstered by Hiroki Kuroda, Ivan Nova and potentially the return of Michael Pineda, who once looked so promising but has missed the past two seasons to injury. 

David Robertson will be tasked with replacing Rivera, impossible shoes to fill though Robertson should do just fine in the role. The rest of the bullpen is shakier, however, and could become an issue for the team.

Finally, there is the little matter of the brutal American League East, a division that could see any of its five teams reach the postseason. Yes, even last year’s biggest busts, the Toronto Blue Jays, have to be considered contenders given the talent they have and the multitude of injuries they suffered last year.

The Yankees should be improved this year. But in a tough AL East, their improvement will probably be minimal. They’ll finish third in the AL East and miss the postseason for a second straight year.

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