Late February always brings joy to the hearts of devoted baseball fans, as pitchers and catchers finally start reporting to training camps in Florida and Arizona. For those who have suffered through harsh winters in many parts of the country, it’s a sign that spring is in the air, both literally and figuratively.

This year, several different storylines will be of particular interest, as this past offseason has produced an array of surprises. International signings, multi-player trades and key free-agent acquisitions were the rule of the past four months, and now that the general managers are done with their bidding, fans finally get a chance to see the fruits of their labor.

Enough money has been spent this offseason that would easily finance small countries, with the Los Angeles Angels alone spending $331.5 million on just two players, Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson. The $100 million contract was breached four times, if you include the posting fee for Yu Darvish. And some teams who were expected to do more (Atlanta Braves) sat back and watched, content with the team they currently have.

So, as mid-February creeps past ever so slowly, players are chomping at the bit to get things rolling, and fans are salivating for that fateful hour when the clock strikes midnight on the day that their favorite team can officially begin workouts.

Here are just a few of the storylines that will be followed closely this spring.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.

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