The most wonderful time of the year.

When Dusty Baker takes over a team as manager, the record says that club becomes considerably better. And in two out of three cases the major improvement has been immediate.

The 16th annual Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic returns to Minute Maid Park this weekend, bringing some of the best college programs — and Draft-eligible players — under one roof.

First-year general manager Billy Eppler stood in one of the backfields of the Angels’ Spring Training complex on Thursday afternoon and talked about the new five-man analytical department he has built, the first of its kind for this organization. Then came the question he was anticipating:

Dave Roberts began preparing for this day almost from the moment the Los Angeles Dodgers hired him to be their manager three months ago. Within hours, he was contacting players, starting relationships, listening, encouraging.

Cubs players have learned that Joe Maddon is full of surprises, so when the manager called everyone to gather around the pitcher’s mound on Field 6 on Thursday and to not look back at the team’s complex, they weren’t sure what to expect.

It didn’t take long for Jimmy Rollins, the potential White Sox shortstop of the present, to meet Tim Anderson, the team’s No. 2 prospect, accordindg to MLBPipeline.com, and shortstop of the not-too-distant future.

Before the start of the Nationals’ first full-squad workout of the spring on Thursday, and during his first address to a full clubhouse as manager, Dusty Baker took a moment to make fun of himself.

Hank Aaron’s larger-than-life presence was felt when he and fellow Hall of Famer Bobby Cox were among those who gathered in the outfield grass at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex on Thursday morning to hear Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez address his team before the club’s first full-squad workout.

Yovani Gallardo is officially an Oriole, as the two sides reached an agreement on a restructured deal Wednesday night.

Opt-out? Sorry, Dan Duquette, opts not to give any player an opt-out.

With respect to Steven Matz, Matt Harvey and anyone else working out Thursday at Mets camp, it was Noah Syndergaard who offered the morning’s must-see event. It was Syndergaard whom manager Terry Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen watched intently, Syndergaard whom owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon wandered over to see.

Stop. Parking. Between. Foul poles.

Stop. Parking. Between. Foul poles.

Brett Gardner will not participate in hitting drills early in camp so the outfielder can continue to recover from a bone bruise on his left wrist sustained in the American League Wild Card Game, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Thursday.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is such a standout defender that he doesn’t need anyone defending his reputation.

The Cubs on Thursday dealt outfielder Chris Coghlan to the Athletics for right-handed pitcher Aaron Brooks.