The Padres and Cubs generated the most offseason headlines with a succession of moves that could propel them from losing seasons to the playoffs. The Braves’ flurry of activity won’t lead to immediate dividends, but adding more quality prospects than any organization did this offseason greatly improves their chances of sustaining a contender in the future.

Three trades — ones that sent Wil Myers to the Padres, Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar to the A’s and Jeremy Hellickson to the Diamondbacks — were responsible for bringing in seven prospects, all of whom will almost certainly be on the new Rays’ Top 30 prospects list, coming soon.

Alex Rodriguez, who served a season-long suspension in 2014 for his involvement with Biogenesis, issued a hand-written letter of apology to fans.

There are approximately 75 Cuban players pursuing a contract with a Major League team, but none are as celebrated as infielders Yoan Moncada, Hector Olivera, Andy Ibanez and pitcher Yadier Alvarez.

With Spring Training camps opening this week in Florida and Arizona, here’s how each National League team looks.

Former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who has said in the past that he’d someday like to own a baseball team, reiterated that sentiment this weekend when he told Bloomberg TV that “baseball is what I know” and also that it’s unlikely he’d foray into ownership outside of baseball.

For the players of Major League Baseball, the first real work week since October begins this week. Wednesday marks the official reporting date for pitchers and catchers at their Arizona and Florida complexes, and there will be enough coaching staffs, front-office members, eager position players and fans around to let them know that Spring Training really is here once again.

One more day. “Pitchers and catchers report” to Spring Training officially starting Wednesday in Florida and Arizona, and we are asking people around Major League Baseball what those four beautiful words mean to them. Join the conversation and be sure to use #BaseballBegins in your tweets.

The Yankees have announced plans to retire the numbers of Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Bernie Williams this season, bringing to 21 the number of players/managers who have had their numbers retired by the franchise. Impressive? The Cardinals rank second among Major League teams with 12 retired numbers.

The Yankees will honor some of the most influential figures of the 1990s World Series dynasty when they retire the numbers of Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte. The club will also add a plaque for Willie Randolph to Monument Park this season.

Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera is scheduled for a follow-up exam by Dr. Robert Anderson, the Charlotte-based specialist who performed the surgery to remove a bone spur from Cabrera’s right ankle and repaired a previously unknown stress fracture at the top of his right foot.

The Indians have reached an agreement with Chen on a Minor League contract that includes an invitation to attend big league Spring Training. The deal, which is pending a physical exam, has not been confirmed by the club.

The A’s have signed left-hander Barry Zito to a one-year Minor League deal including an invitation to big league Spring Training.

At long last, Spring Training camps open this week. While there are minor moves still to be made, the heavy lifting is over. We can now safely analyze what the winter wrought.

Angels starter Garrett Richards threw his first bullpen session from the club’s Spring Training complex in Tempe, Ariz., on Monday, throwing 20 fastballs from the stretch and reportedly coming out of it just fine.

In honor of ex-big leaguer Bill Pecota’s birthday, MLB Network’s MLB Now crew took a look at some of the PECOTA Projections for the number of wins clubs will get in 2015 and shared their thoughts on whether the number was high or low.

Jason Giambi spent this offseason weighing whether to step away from baseball after a Major League career that spanned two decades. The veteran slugger maintained a media silence throughout the winter months, choosing to consider the decision with his family. On Monday, the 43-year-old Giambi announced his retirement through a statement given to the New York Daily News.