People who minimize the potential value of Japanese ace Masahiro Tanaka may be living in a different century. Nineteenth or earlier would be a reasonable estimate.

With the calendar flipping to 2014, baseball’s odometer of history clicks over another mile, hitting a number that resonates with so many events in the long, winding road of the sport’s past.

We’ve arrived, hopefully intact, upon a New Year, replete with all the promise and potential natural to newness. In that vein of thought — and possibly in vain thought — here is a non-comprehensive list of wishes for 2014 and all it entails in the game of ball.

Matt Yallof’s View from Studio 3: Tim Raines deserves enshrinement in Cooperstown. It just makes no sense that one of the greatest leadoff men and base stealers the game has ever seen is still on the outside looking in.

There’s plenty to resolve in 2014 when it comes to the Grand Old Game, after all, and the biggest ribbon that’s yet to be tied comes all the way from Japan in the form of the best pitcher now officially available on the open market, Masahiro Tanaka.

Tigers prospect Ben Guez homered as Mexicali won the opener of the Mexican Pacific League playoffs.

The Angels have agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with a Spring Training invite with veteran starter Mark Mulder, the two-time All-Star who hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2008, Mulder’s agent confirmed Wednesday. The Angels have not confirmed the signing.

On Wednesday, legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully added another accomplishment to his long list of achievements when he served as grand marshal for the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade.

Reds third baseman Todd Frazier talked to MLB.com’s Meggie Zahneis about his personal goals for the 2014 season.

As we turn the page to 2014, several MLB.com columnists predict team achievements, star performances, individual awards, breakout seasons and more that we’re expecting to see in the New Year.

Things don’t always turn out as planned. Just ask Rocco Baldelli. Fortunately for the former Rays standout, he’s made the most of his situation and moved forward, making a successful transition from the playing field to the front office.

On this New Year’s Day, what’s next? Who do you have in 2014? Is there a team out there that would stun us with the kind of run the A’s, Pirates, etc., have had the last two years?

LaTroy Hawkins, who signed a one-year contract with the Rockies this offseason, will be looking to pick up a different kind of save for Colorado after an offseason incident aboard an international flight to Chile.

Brad Ausmus has intrigued Tigers fans with his talk of aggressiveness on the basepaths, an emphasis on defense and getting the most he can out of his players on fundamentals. But the biggest philosophy the former catcher brings might well be in the clubhouse, not in the dugout.

Royals manager Ned Yost — who said he looked forward to collisions as a catcher in his playing days — said he thinks a potential rules change would be beneficial, especially with All-Star backstop Salvador Perez to protect from any risk of injury.

As he looks ahead to 2014 and his new role as the Padres’ upper-level pitching coordinator, Trevor Hoffman said recently he only feels the slightest twinge of anxiety. Not so much in tackling a new role, which also includes being a special assistant to general manager Josh Byrnes, but how he’s going to tackle the logistical aspect of it — bouncing between all of the Padres’ Minor League affiliates.

Although the idea did not thrill his Pirates bosses, Starling Marte again began ramping up for Spring Training with a Winter League cameo in his native Dominican Republic.