We know the states are important politically, but about about athletically?

This year’s Caribbean Series pits Winter League champions Leones de Escogido from the Dominican Republic, Mexico’s Venados de Mazatlan, Cangrejeros de Santurce from Puerto Rico and Venezuela’s Tigres de Aragua against each other, beginning on Monday afternoon at Estadio Quisqueya.

The Yankees addressed their needs this offseason through trades instead of by signing pricey free agents.

Michael Brantley is progressing very well in his recovery from offseason right shoulder surgery. An April return is still a distinct possibility, though the Indians’ public estimate for his return remains sometime before the end of May.

Don’t pretend that’s dust in your eye.

For these five players, 2016 might be their last best chance to respond to questions about their health and performance and get their careers humming along once again.

Ryan Braun is behind schedule in his recovery from offseason back surgery, but he said Sunday during “Brewers On Deck” that he remains hopeful about playing on Opening Day.

The calendar just flipped to February and there are still good players available on the free-agent market — probably even some difference-makers. At least, that’s what recent history tells us. In fact, this might be the best time to shop. Prices have dropped, so the smart teams have a chance to clean up.

John Danks wants to keep pitching after the 2016 season, when his five-year, $65 million deal with the White Sox comes to an end. The affable southpaw also understands that he needs to perform effectively for teams to have interest in extending his career.

Run for cover.

Having played the past four seasons with the division-rival Angels, Chris Iannetta is plenty familiar with the Mariners. And as he toured Safeco Field and took part in the weekend’s FanFest, the veteran catcher wasted no time acclimating himself to his new home.

Throughout Reds Caravan this week, little kids have wanted a piece of center fielder Billy Hamilton. During the question-and-answer sessions at each stop, youngsters have often asked Hamilton how fast he really is, or how many bases he thinks he can steal.

It’s not unusual to be loved by anyone …

After the Twins posted their first winning record since 2010 last season, TwinsFest had a different feel over the weekend as there was more buzz coming from fans at Target Field.

Wearing a Brewers jersey for the first time since his heated departure in September, Matt Garza said Sunday that he was committed to the team’s rebuilding process but would “pitch selfishly” in an effort to rebound from the most frustrating season of his career.

The Orioles organization lost a member of its baseball family on Saturday night, when Minor League infielder Ramon Ramirez was killed in a motorcycle accident in the Dominican Republic.

Give David Stearns and Doug Melvin credit. The guys running the Brew Crew created so much financial flexibility with their trades since the middle of 2015 that they were able to benefit by becoming the team that met the D-backs’ desire to part with Aaron Hill.