After a busy offseason that included a mission trip to Nicaragua in early January, Brian Dozier is gearing up for his third season as the Twins’ everyday second baseman in 2015 and wants to build on his breakout season from last year.

Chris Sale has begun his winter conditioning in earnest as he prepares to lead a reinvigorated White Sox club back into contention during 2015.

In his four seasons of managing the Pirates, Clint Hurdle has gone through nearly as many cleanup hitters as wads of chewing gum. Eleven different players have started more than 10 games in that spot since 2011. Coming up with that serviceable No. 4 hitter will be one of Spring Training’s main projects, both for production and protection for Andrew McCutchen.

Yoan Moncada, the 19-year-old Cuban sensation, reportedly has had a private workout for the Yankees. New York is among a growing list of clubs coveting the services of the switch-hitter who has been primarily a middle infielder, but may eventually wind up in the outfield.

Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval said Tuesday on MLB Network Radio he didn’t let the Giants make a final offer before signing with Boston, and he guaranteed the Red Sox would win the American League East this season.

From the first days of free agency, the Yankees maintained both publicly and privately that they were not a likely landing spot for Max Scherzer, given the unappealing thought of adding another nine-figure commitment to a starting rotation that already features two of them.

The ongoing media focus on the Dodgers’ crowded outfield has obscured the exceptional quality of their infield. If you buy the analytics, the defending National League West champions will enter the season with the best all-around infield in the game following a major makeover.

Kenny Lofton roamed center field for 17 seasons, using his dynamic speed to track down fly balls. As a standout defender, Lofton is partial to those who share similar abilities. At the top of his list is Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain, Lofton’s favorite current Major Leaguer.

Free-agent pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, who is in contract discussions with the Astros, arrived in Houston on Monday. The veteran right-hander has been on the club’s radar in recent days.

MLB Network’s Ron Darling and John Smoltz each unveiled their picks for the top four rotations in all of baseball Monday on MLB Tonight. And at the top, there wasn’t much debate.

Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano has been a big hit for his hometown Estrellas De Oriente club in the Dominican Republic Winter League playoffs for the past week, where he finished up his offseason stint on Monday night, according to reports from Dominican media.

Right-hander Max Scherzer won a $144 million game of chicken that he played with the Tigers. But unless Scherzer helps the Nationals win their first World Series title, this signing will be a bust.

Florida Gulf Coast University announced Monday afternoon via press release that White Sox staff ace Chris Sale, entering his sixth big league season, will have his college jersey No. 41 retired.

The Giants announced the signing of free-agent outfielder Nori Aoki, who is expected to be the starting left fielder for the defending World Series champions.

While some teams have adopted a file-and-trial policy regarding their arbitration-eligible players, the Twins remain open to coming to agreements with both left-hander Brian Duensing and outfielder Jordan Schafer before arbitration hearings in February.

Yovani Gallardo, who is from Fort Worth and still lives in the area, said he is “excited” to be pitching for the Rangers. He said it “means a lot” to be traded by the Brewers to the Rangers on Monday.

Max Scherzer is the second pitcher that Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones has coached who has ended up signing a seven-year contract worth $180 million or more, joining Justin Verlander. Once Rick Porcello’s situation is resolved in Boston, Jones could have three pupils with well over $400 million in contracts.