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Anthony Castrovince has been a reporter for MLB.com since 2004.
 | Every season is an opportunity for everybody fortunate to participate at the Major League level. But some have more riding on the outcome than others. With that in mind, here's a look at 10 people in and around the game who have reached a particularly interesting intersection in 2015.
More» Harper has immense potential, must limit K's |
 | The truth is, Ryan Vogelsong and the Giants still make sense as a package deal, which is why the club re-signed the veteran right-hander to a one-year contract.
More»Larry Baer talks about re-signing Ryan Vogelsong |
 | The Johan Santana comeback effort was abruptly put on pause this week when left shoulder soreness sidelined him yet again in the Venezuelan Winter League. But let's pause to appreciate Santana, to applaud him for making this effort to go out on his own terms, no matter where that effort leads or if, in fact, it has already ended.
More» Santana fans Freese to complete no-hitter |
 | At the moment, it is entirely possible -- perhaps even likely -- that the Philadelphia Phillies will have both Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard on their Opening Day roster. Mere months ago, such a concept seemed preposterous.
More»Phils broadcaster Andersen on Howard's 2015 outlook |
 | While the Tigers still have their fair share of star power and the Royals are coming off their October ride and the White Sox have been the darlings of the Hot Stove season, it's easy for Terry Francona's Indians to get overlooked.
More»Bastian discusses lefties in Indians' bullpen |
 | David Price's final arbitration year will cost the Tigers a cool $19.75 million, the largest one-year deal in history for a player who filed for arbitration. While the club can do nothing else this winter and still have a team worthy of some top-of-the-AL Central forecasts for 2015, we're really starting to see the vulnerability that comes with retaining or obtaining star talent in today's game.
More»Duquette on Price, Tigers avoiding arbitration |
![Pirates GM Neal Huntington: "We feel [Jung Ho Kang] can be a good Major League player, and our focus is on making this transition as smoothly as possible." (Pirates)](/assets/images/2/1/0/106610210/cuts/Kang_Pirates_2_1280_1j2mlswx_6ohkka1u.gif) | While no position player from the Korean Baseball Organization has yet made an impact in the big leagues, the Pirates' relatively modest investment in slugger Jung Ho Kang could ultimately result in a huge payoff.
More»Singer on Pirates landing Korean shortstop Kang |
 | Despite entering this offseason as the favorites to win the NL East in 2015, the Nationals have not been shy about making Hot Stove moves.
More»Bill Ladson on Nationals adding Escobar |
 | It's officially mid-January, and, unless you firmly believe in the ability of Wilmer Flores, the Mets still don't have a shortstop. Maybe this is surprising, maybe not, because the Mets, despite an obvious need, left the position untouched in the Hot Stove season a year ago, too. But the status-quo shortstop situation is a source of angst for some, a source of shrugs for others. It all depends on what you think of the Mets' competitive chances in 2015.
More»Josh Lewin discusses the Mets on Hot Stove |
 | For now the Yankees are expected to stick with their starting outlook, abstain from the big buys and hope improved versatility and defense, and a beefy bullpen move the needle. It's the best plan for the long term. But the Yanks still have major question marks in 2015.
More»Drew set to impact both sides of the ball for Yankees |
 | These aren't -- and won't be -- the Rays as we once knew them. The identity change taking place in Tampa Bay is dramatic -- much more so, I'd argue, than when the "Devil" was dropped. But what the Rays are doing is a necessary byproduct of their market-borne business model, and we might one day look back at this winter whiplash as a necessary evil.
More»Rays' Silverman on adding prospects, Jaso, Asdrubal |
 | On Wednesday afternoon, four Major League clubs simultaneously used their official Twitter accounts to spread the news of John McDonald's official retirement from the big leagues. Think about that. Four clubs -- the Indians, D-backs, Angels and Blue Jays -- felt fond enough about this scrappy little journeyman utility guy that they all wanted some part of his goodbye.
More»John McDonald is noted for his sparkling defense |
 | Less than a week into the new year, many of us have already reneged on our resolutions (he wrote, while eating leftover cookies). But with the new season still a few months away, the resolutions of Major League Baseball's 30 teams still apply. On Sunday, we looked at the goals set by every team in the American League. We continue now with the National League.
More»Matt Kemp lauds A.J. Preller for being 'rockstar GM' |
 | With the New Year upon us and resolutions still in style, let's look at each club's biggest goal for 2015. We'll begin with the American League and progress to the National League on Monday:
More»Chisholm on Martin signing, Blue Jays' offseason |
 | In the age of free agency, rosters are always subject to the requisite offseason evolution, but what's happened these last two months has been particularly nuts, and it has provided a fitting cap to a calendar year that has never lacked surprise or intrigue.
More»Richard Justice on Padres' moves, Shields and more |
 | John Hart is back at work this winter. With the assistance of GM-in-training John Coppolella, he is reshaping a Braves team that hasn't won a postseason series since 2001 and, frankly, needed some long-term guidance.
More»John Hart talks Braves' offseason on MLB Now |
 | A game often said to "start with starting pitching" has not exactly worked that way this winter. Jon Lester is going to change all that, because so much of the Hot Stove activity this winter will fall in line after his situation is settled.
More»Cubs reportedly make offer to Jon Lester |
 | So let's just go ahead and take the "off" out of "offseason" and embrace the crazy of this Hot Stove season. As December dawns, let's take a look the 10 biggest storylines still in play.
More»Cubs reportedly make offer to Jon Lester |
 | In the baseball world, no matter your rooting interest, there's plenty to be thankful for and optimistic about. Here on Thanksgiving, let's review those reasons, shall we?
More» Yost thanks fans, fans thank Royals |
 | At this point, it's uncertain if the Dodgers are the Yankees of the West or if the Yankees are the Dodgers of the East. They are baseball's preeminent payroll superpowers, and they've both been eerily quiet in the early going of the Hot Stove season. We know from history that this can change in a hurry.
More»Joel Sherman on Yankees, Scrabble and more |
