The smell of fresh-cut grass is in the air, the sound of mitts popping and bats cracking can be heard and that can only mean one thing: It is time for Major League Baseball again.
America’s pastime is back as pitchers and catchers of all 30 MLB franchises have begun reporting to Spring Training: the first official game will be held on Feb. 26, with the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers facing off.
With the season on the horizon, the ’14 campaign will inaugurate on Mar. 22 in Sydney, Australia, where the Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.
One of the local favorites, the Oakland A’s, has a promising season ahead. In their ’13 campaign, they won and defended their American League West Championship and made it to the American League Division Series, where they were eliminated by the Detroit Tigers.
Despite winning, the Athletics made no splash acquisitions this offseason and continue to have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball entering the season. Their opening day payroll ranks 27 out of 30, just north of $60 million.
General Manager Billy Beane continues to manufacture good teams as he  traded for new closer Jim Johnson, set-up man Luke Gregerson and  signed veteran pitcher Scott Kazmir.
Just on the other side of the Bay, the expectations are a bit less promising as the San Francisco Giants missed the postseason last year; however, the team looks to rebound and contend in the highly competitive National League West. The Giants signed outfielder Michael Morse and pitcher Tim Hudson to fill needs on their roster.
The Boston Red Sox took the title last year, beating the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series and earning their second title in the last five years.
This year, however, the favorites are the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have 5-1 odds of taking the title, according to CBS Sports. The Oakland Athletics have 15-1 odds and the Giants 22-1 favorites of taking the title.
Around the league, there were plenty of blockbuster trades and free agent acquisitions made during the offseason. Some of Major League Baseball’s biggest stars will be donning new uniforms.
The Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees made the biggest splashes in free agency. Seattle signed free agents Robinson Cano, Fernando Rodney and Corey Hart. The New York Yankees signed outfielders Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury as well as adding international superstar Mashiro Tanaka.
Other noteable moves include: The Texas Rangers trading for Prince Fielder and the New York Mets signing Curtis Granderson, Chris Young and Bartolo Colon.  The Arizona Diamondbacks also added Mark Trumbo.