MLB.com columnist and former big league scout Bernie Pleskoff multiple Rangers, Twins, Astros and Royals among his top farmhands in the American League.

An arbitration hearing is scheduled for Monday in Florida if the Cubs and Jeff Samardzija cannot reach a contract settlement. The team offered the righty $4.4 million, and he is asking for $6.2 million.

The Cardinals have, time and again, proven themselves adaptable to the many challenges posed by the grind of a 162-game season, and they continue to churn out talent through their pipeline. Once again they’ve given themselves at least as good a shot as anybody else.

The Nelson Cruz package doesn’t lend itself to a convenient group of comparables. He’s a gamble for somebody. Cruz is potentially a worthwhile gamble, but at what cost and over what length of time?

Because of the rigors of the position and a focus on defense, catchers is the weakest position in fantasy baseball. However, offensive stars such as Buster Posey and Brian McCann are solid options at the position.

Judging from record season-ticket sales and the enthusiasm displayed at last weekend’s Dodger Stadium FanFest, fans are ready. On Saturday, the excitement shifts to Arizona, where Dodgers pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. The first battery workout at Camelback Ranch in Glendale will be Sunday.

A baseball source confirmed a Boston Globe report that said the D-backs are planning to meet with free-agent pitcher Bronson Arroyo.

Curt Schilling released a statement Wednesday saying he had received a diagnosis of cancer. He said he had been raised to confront challenges and that he would do so again this time, an attitude that is no surprise to those who have come to know him.

The Hot Stove was relatively quiet Wednesday, the day before the D-backs become the first team to have pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. However, the Indians, Nationals and Dodgers made some Minor League deals with invitations to Spring Training.

The Nationals are interested in Tampa Bay Rays catcher Jose Lobaton, and the two clubs have been talking for a least a month. However, the teams can’t agree on the players the Rays would receive in the deal, although it’s known that Tampa Bay would like to replenish its farm system.

For years, the Mexican team was the punch line of the Caribbean Series in three languages — Spanish, English and baseball. But times have changed, and now, the joke is on the competition.

The Braves welcomed Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth and retired 1st Sgt. Vondell Brown to Turner Field for Wednesday afternoon’s unveiling of new military appreciation jerseys that the team will wear during five home games this season.

The day after he signed a franchise-record eight-year, $135 million deal to stay in Atlanta, Freddie Freeman was introduced as, essentially, the new face of the Braves’ franchise.

A winter storm dropped several inches of ice and snow on the Pittsburgh area Tuesday night, but that didn’t stop the Pirates’ equipment truck from leaving for Florida by midday Wednesday.

What happened in between April and September last season rates not only as interesting for Padres pitcher Tyson Ross, but also of vital significance in terms of his development as a pitcher.

Does Toronto have a shot at inking Ervin Santana or Ubaldo Jimenez? What about A.J. Burnett or Bronson Arroyo? Find out in the Inbox.

Not 11 inches of snow, not an 11-degree temperature, not a stuck tractor-trailer could stop the Royals’ dedicated gang of workers from sending the team’s equipment rolling toward Spring Training on Wednesday.