Is this the season that no team wants to be the favorite in the American League East? Historically baseball’s toughest division, the land that was ruled by the Yankees and Red Sox for so long is now best known for its balance.

O’s pitchers Chris Tillman and Tommy Hunter acknowledged the significance of Nelson Cruz, Nick Markakis and Andrew Miller leaving via free agency, but they remained confident their teammates can make up for it, especially if Chris Davis, Matt Wieters and Manny Machado return at full strength.

The Astros announced Tuesday they’ve invited 17 non-roster players to Spring Training, including former No. 1 overall picks Carlos Correa and Mark Appel — both of whom will be at Major League camp for the second consecutive year.

Since Christian Vazquez has shown he can handle the catching duties, should prospect Blake Swihart transition to first base? Beat reporter Ian Browne answers this question and more in the Inbox.

The Yankees acquired right-hander Chris Martin from the Rockies on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations, the club announced.

The A’s and Rays continued to be among the busiest clubs this offseason as they made a surprising multiplayer deal. Here is the fantasy fallout from that trade, and some other news from the past week.

Is there one team out there you’re absolutely certain will be in the playoffs this season? The Nationals? The Tigers? The Angels? There is no easy answer, and that’s the thing about competitive balance. Almost every team has hope on Opening Day. On the other hand, not a single team is a slam dunk for the postseason.

Royals left-hander Sean Manaea led the Class A Advanced Carolina League with 146 strikeouts and placed eighth in the Minors with 10.8 whiffs per nine innings in 2014, his first season as a pro, and Jim Callis thinks he’s the pick for the Minor League strikeout crown this season.

After finished eighth in the Minor Leagues in strikeouts in 2014 with 157, despite not making his first start until April 25 and being brought along slowly because he was returning from a back issue, Pirates righty prospect is expected to lead the Minors in Ks in 2015 according to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo.

According to a baseball source, the Nationals haven’t had any significant negotiations with shortstop Ian Desmond and his representative regarding a contract extension.

As they have for much of the offseason, pitching rumors dominated the headlines Monday, as free agent James Shields and trade candidate Cole Hamels could be close to landing with new teams.

The Orioles and right-hander Tommy Hunter have agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration, and according to The Associated Press, the deal is worth $4.65 million.

The Nexen Heroes and their shortstop, Jung-ho Kang, are on their way to the United States. But most of the Korean club will stop at its Surprise, Ariz., preseason camp, while Kang will keep going to Pittsburgh for a physical that could formally make him a member of the Pirates.

The Rays have signed infielder Juan Francisco to a Minor League contract, a source confirmed to MLB.com’s Bill Chastain. The club has not confirmed the deal.

The Cardinals still have four outstanding arbitration cases to settle, including those for second-year arbitration-eligible players Peter Bourjos and Jon Jay, as well as first-timers Lance Lynn and Tony Cruz.

The Padres’ 2015 FanFest presented by State Farm is set for April 4 — coinciding with an exhibition game against the Mexico City Red Devils (Diablos Rojos) — at Petco Park.

It’s not a perfect system, but it has to be more than a coincidence that since the onset of free agency in 1977, not only have teams seen their values and profits increase, but fans have been treated to the longest period of parity in the history of the game.