It's time for a “changing of the guard” in Seattle. New young players, each offering hope and optimism, have arrived on the scene.

Despite Don Mattingly's assertion that Los Angeles is a Dodgers town, area fans on the fence can be forgiven if they've been swayed toward the Angels' side of things, at least for the time being.

Josh Collmenter knows he probably will always have to prove himself. And as far as the D-backs right-hander is concerned, that's just fine.

This is Nate Schierholtz's time to flourish. Having spent all or part of the previous five seasons with the Giants, Schierholtz finally is likely to open the season as a regular for the first time.

Clay Hensley, a veteran of six Major League seasons, said that he drew interest from 11 or 12 teams before signing with the Giants as a free agent on Jan. 26.

But for a classic prospects-for-veteran trade that turned out to be incredibly one-sided, Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe might never have been cornerstones of the 21st-century Red Sox resurgence.

Sometimes, it's hard for Tyler Clippard to believe what he accomplished last year. He doesn't realize how good he was until he hears it from Nationals fans.

Being traded from San Diego to Cincinnati surprised Mat Latos, but the Reds' new right-hander considers it a win-win situation.

Indians owner Larry Dolan reacted to the violence in Chardon, which is located roughly 30 miles east of Cleveland.

Chone Figgins went 2-for-3 with a bunt single and a sharp base hit during the Mariners' third intrasquad game of the spring on Tuesday, showing again exactly what manager Eric Wedge is looking for from the leadoff position.

Red Sox-Yankees seldom has been merely fastballs and splitters, home runs and heroes. What we won't and can't know until the weekend of April 20 is whether the annual animus has been defused by changes in high-profile personnel since the end of last season.

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols now has the DH as an option to help him stay fresh while still keeping his bat in the lineup.

The long-term contract signed by Royals catcher Salvador Perez was met with approval by two of the team's young pitchers.

On Monday, new Padres closer Huston Street got on top of the mound and threw live batting practice to hitters for the first time this spring. He resisted the urge to come out hot — throwing as hard as he could, trying to make a big first impression on his new team.

Albert Belle stood outside the Indians' complex on Tuesday morning, his back against a wall as reporters swarmed around him. Given his controversial and confrontational past, it was a scene that might have stirred a sleeping giant.

Seeing less of himself in the mirror was certainly encouraging for Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook. But actually feeling the effects of the offseason makeover during these early days of Spring Training has been the sweetest form of validation.

When Jim Tracy looks around the Rockies' clubhouse and sees some of the most important players in his lineup, he sees veterans. And in those veterans, he sees quality at-bats.