MLB Spring Training 2013: New-Look Squads We're Most Excited to Watch in March

Spring training is a time to shake off the rust, evaluate talent and plan for the regular season. For several teams in the league, evaluating new talent will be paramount for regular season success.

The offseason presented a lot of surprises, none more exciting than some big trades and free-agent signings. The balance of power is shifting, and there are some teams we’re very excited to watch in March.

Every squad will look different than its 2012 predecessor, but a few in particular made some big moves in the offseason. By either bolstering their pitching staff or adding some big bats—or both—these teams were big movers during the winter months, and they should be fun clubs to watch going forward.

Let’s take a look at the top three new-look teams we’re most excited to watch this spring.

Toronto Blue Jays

There isn’t a team in the league that made bigger moves than the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason.

After acquiring Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Emilio Bonifacio and John Buck from the Marlins, the Blue Jays continued stocking up. They included Buck in a deal that also brought in 2012 NL Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey, putting the finishing touches on what could prove to be the best pitching staff in the majors in 2013.

Along with the new talent Toronto acquired, Jose Bautista is back in the middle of the lineup, picking up where he left off before a left wrist injury derailed his 2012 season. Sprinkle in a healthy dose of Melky Cabrera, Edwin Encarnacion, Brett Lawrie and Colby Rasmus and you have the makings of an elite offensive lineup to go along with a loaded rotation.

We’ve seen offseasons like this before—specifically from the Miami team that dealt so much star talent to the Blue Jays. There’s no guarantee that all the talent will pan out, but we’re excited to find out.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians didn’t add the star power Toronto did, but they got considerably better this offseason.

Cleveland started with the hiring of ex-Red Sox manager Terry Francona. The seasoned vet knows what it takes to win, and he likely played a big part in the Dolans’ willingness to spend during the winter months.

After a 2012 season that fizzled in the second half, GM Chris Antonetti went to work, adding veteran outfielders Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn. He also took part in a three-way deal with the Reds and Diamondbacks that sent Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati in exchange for outfielder Drew Stubbs and pitching phenom Trevor Bauer (from Arizona).

Cleveland’s starting pitching staff was its weakest facet last season, and Antonetti addressed that as well, adding Daisuke Matsuzaka, Scott Kazmir and Brett Myers. In total, Cleveland spent $117 million this offseason—a huge jump from its typical spending practices.

The Indians still have a lot of unproven talent, but there’s reason to believe a huge 2013 season could be in the works. Spring training will tell us a lot, and Cleveland will be a fun team to watch with the regular season on the horizon.

Atlanta Braves

Atlanta isn’t as much a “new-look” team as the others on this list, but a rejuvenation of its outfield via the addition of brothers Justin and B.J. Upton make the Braves one of the most exciting teams to watch this spring.

It isn’t as if the Braves had a bad 2012 season, either. Ninety-four wins is nothing to sneeze at, and there’s reason to believe they can be World Series contenders again this season, especially with their new outfield acquisitions.

With B.J. and Justin Upton joining Jason Heyward in the outfield, Atlanta’s lineup is scary from top to bottom. Dan Uggla, Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann have extra protection now, and there isn’t any player in the Braves’ lineup opposing hurlers can afford to pitch around.

Washington and Cincinnati should once again challenge for the pennant in the National League, but my money is on the Braves. Keep an eye on them in March.