One of the major questions facing the Angels next year is what Raul Ibanez can provide as their primary designated hitter. The recently-signed veteran struggled in the second half of last season, and he’ll turn 42 in June. But to Ibanez, it’s not even a question.

One of the major questions facing the Angels next year is what Raul Ibanez can provide as their primary designated hitter. The recently-signed veteran struggled in the second half of last season, and he’ll turn 42 in June. But to Ibanez, it’s not even a question.

Tom Glavine is making his first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot, and It should be his last. There seems to be little doubt that Glavine’s longtime Atlanta teammate Greg Maddux will be a first-time selection.

Tom Glavine is making his first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot, and It should be his last. There seems to be little doubt that Glavine’s longtime Atlanta teammate Greg Maddux will be a first-time selection.

It was another year of overwhelming success for the Cardinals, who treated St. Louis to another episode of October baseball while introducing it to an emerging core of new talented players.

It was another year of overwhelming success for the Cardinals, who treated St. Louis to another episode of October baseball while introducing it to an emerging core of new talented players.

The 2013 Pirates ripped off the shackles and swashbuckled as the Major League’s top story of the year and as one of its top teams. Shedding 20 years of losing, the Bucs climbed over .500 for good in Game No. 17 on April 20.

The 2013 Pirates ripped off the shackles and swashbuckled as the Major League’s top story of the year and as one of its top teams. Shedding 20 years of losing, the Bucs climbed over .500 for good in Game No. 17 on April 20.

When 2013 began, a World Series title was the only step up left to go for the Tigers. As the year ends, fans and players like are still processing the first real step back in this three-year Tigers reign atop the American League Central.

The 2013 Braves offered a mixed bag as a resilient club that overcame adversity to win the NL East, while also falling short of the tremendous hope built up in another abrupt postseason exit.

Aside from not going deep into the playoffs, the Rays enjoyed another successful season in 2013. The team advanced to the postseason for the fourth time in its history — all in the last six years.

Aside from not going deep into the playoffs, the Rays enjoyed another successful season in 2013. The team advanced to the postseason for the fourth time in its history — all in the last six years.

For the Red Sox, it was a year that started with confidence and resolve within the clubhouse and doubts galore outside of it. But the Red Sox produced one of their most gratifying and unexpectedly successful seasons in history. It ended with a World Series title — the third by the Red Sox in a span of 10 seasons.

For the second straight year, the Cubs dealt 40 percent of their starting rotation, but they weren’t the only ones to change uniforms. It’s all part of the constant effort to make the organization healthier, which has been Theo Epstein’s goal since taking over as Cubs president of baseball operations.

After an ill-fated attempt to move Neftali Feliz into the rotation and a long recovery from Tommy John surgery, the right-hander is back in the bullpen with the clear goal of regaining the prominent role he filled so well during the Rangers’ pennant-winning seasons. Feliz is determined to be the Rangers closer again in 2014.

After an ill-fated attempt to move Neftali Feliz into the rotation and a long recovery from Tommy John surgery, the right-hander is back in the bullpen with the clear goal of regaining the prominent role he filled so well during the Rangers’ pennant-winning seasons. Feliz is determined to be the Rangers closer again in 2014.

Is a club better off getting one cornerstone player to build around while whiffing on the rest of its picks, or by acquiring several useful players but not any stars? The best Drafts end that discussion by scoring on both fronts. And baseball’s best Draft of the past decade certainly did that — the 2009 Angels.