Is Ryan Braun the key to the Brewers avoiding the sort of slump in 2015 that sidetracked their ’14 season? Manager Ron Roenicke says, “No.” But Braun himself, during a wide-ranging discussion at the end of the regular season, suggested the answer was, “Yes.”

Early next week, for the third consecutive year, Mike Piazza will wait as he learns his Hall of Fame fate. Now more than eight years removed from his final home run, all Piazza can do is hope that this time will be different.

The Braves have entered the new year confident that they have made the most of the opportunity to brighten their future by trading Jason Heyward and Justin Upton. But it remains to be seen how significantly these changes will impact the 2015 season.

MLB.com caught up with prospect Lucas Giolito recently to talk about last year and his future with the Nationals.

Unfortunately, Fred McGriff will most likely not be among the group of players inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. Make no mistake, Crime Dog deserves a place in Cooperstown. Given the fact the highest percentage of the vote he’s received in five years of eligibility is 23.9 percent, don’t bet on one of the most feared power hitters of his era being named on 75 percent of the ballots.

Jake Odorizzi experienced a tough beginning to the 2014 season. Things can get pretty hectic in one’s rookie season. Then the game slowed down, and the right-hander showed what he believed he could do all along. Now he’s a mainstay in the Rays’ starting rotation heading into 2015.

MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez opens up his Inbox to discuss Josh Hamilton’s future, the starting rotation, second base and more.

For a while, the 2014 season was shaping up to be one massive headache for Padres rookie infielder-outfielder Cory Spangenberg. When he returned from a concussion, though, he took off, experiencing a meteoric rise from the Texas League all the way to making an impression at the big league level.

Mike Brito, who’s had a hand in finding Fernando Valenzuela, Yasiel Puig and a score of Dodgers from various corners of the world during nearly 40 years of service, was recently named the International Scout of the Year.

Many Rockies fans took to Twitter and Facebook with their questions during the holidays, with the consensus being they needed more gifts.

Though Opening Day is still three months away, the Cardinals’ roster picture has crystallized with moves already made this offseason. Unless notable additions are made between now and April, we can now project how their 13 position-player spots will be used.

Where do the D-backs stand in the catching department? Beat reporter Steve Gilbert welcomes 2015 with an Inbox filled with fans’ questions.

With the departure of free agents Nelson Cruz, Nick Markakis and Andrew Miller, the O’s have some big shoes to fill. The additions of Matt Wieters, Manny Machado and Chris Davis — all projected to be back in the everyday lineup — should help things, but the Orioles still have a shopping list to get to before Spring Training begins.

There are no shortage of candidates for what appears to be one vacant spot in the Marlins’ rotation. The competition got a little more interesting when David Phelps was brought into the mix via a trade with the Yankees.

Do the Yankees think that they will go far with their rotation of CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda? Any chance the club goes after a closer to give Dellin Betances another year to develop? Beat reporter Bryan Hoch answers those questions and others in his Inbox.

Will the Phillies trade Domonic Brown and Ben Revere? If the Phils move Cole Hamels, shouldn’t they get multiple prospects in return? Beat reporter Todd Zolecki answers these questions and more in the latest Inbox.

How is the bullpen shaping up as Spring Training nears? How much playing time will Ryan Hanigan get? How’s Mike Napoli feeling after his sleep apnea surgery? Red Sox beat reporter Ian Browne tackles these questions and others in his Inbox.