10 Non-Rumor Related MLB Storylines You Should Pay Attention To

During the Major League Baseball offseason, it can be pretty easy to just jump on a rumor website and think that's all you have to keep track of. However, that is not the case.

Just like in the middle of the season, there are plenty of storylines to keep even the most lukewarm baseball fan interested. Baseball is a game of many stories, so why wouldn't there be stories even when the game isn't going on?

I'm here to inform you that there are several things you should keep your eye on aside from free agency and trades this offseason.

The McCourt Saga Continues in Los Angeles

At last check, Frank McCourt was filing for bankruptcy in one last chance effort to keep the Los Angeles Dodgers. Unfortunately, that plan has fallen apart for Mr. McCourt. It seems like only a matter of time until the Dodgers have a new owner.

Until then, the Dodgers are kind of in limbo. With the exception of the new extension for Matt Kemp, general manager Ned Colletti can't do anything until a new owner is in place. This could be a situation where the MLB owns the Dodgers until a new owner can be found.

The last time this happened, the Texas Rangers were being put up for sale. While there is the possibility of a payroll freeze in Los Angeles, it's important to point out that's not what happened in Texas.

The Rangers decided to use the MLB-loaned money and go get free agents to help their ball club. The result was a World Series trip for the Rangers, and new owner Nolan Ryan happily paid MLB back.

The Dodgers don't have a team with as many competitive pieces as the Rangers do, but it will be interesting to see what they decide until the new owner does arrive.

Will Ryan Braun's Positive Substance Test Be Overturned?

The story that has shocked the baseball world was the failed banned substance test by Ryan Baun. Contrary to some reports, Braun actually tested positive for a banned substance and not performance-enhancing drugs.

There are many thing that could make a man's testosterone levels go up, such as stuff in supplements or energy drinks. Even Viagra could make a banned substance test come back as a fluke. We don't know the whole story.

What we do know is that Braun is trying to appeal the result and get his 50-game suspension removed by Major League Baseball. No Major League player has won an appeal of a failed substance test, but Brewers minor leaguer Brendan Katin successfully appealed such a case in 2007.

If Braun can get his suspension cleared, not only will he be able to help a Brewers team poised to contend in the NL Central in 2012, but he can also clear his name in the process.

How Will the Manny Ramirez Situation Play Out?

Speaking of performance-enhancing substances, Manny Ramirez is attempting a comeback after aprubtly retiring in April 2011. Ramirez tested positive for the second time, meaning he was staring a 100-game suspension in the face when he decided to retire.

The move didn't screw the Tampa Bay Rays over that much, but it may have screwed Manny at getting another chance with a Major League club ever again.

Not only will Manny probably have to serve a 100-game suspension when he signs with a new team (which would take him out until mid-August at the earliest), he would probably have to get reinstated by the commissioner's office. Then a team has to be bold enough to take a chance on him.

Manny wants back into baseball, but it will be interesting to see if it happens or not.

What Will HGH Testing Mean for Major League Baseball

One of the new policies to go into effect with Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement is the addition of tests for human growth hormone (HGH). We'd all like to think that everyone will get by this first wave, but you know somebody is going to get caught.

In recent history, only former New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettite has been caught with HGH, and that might be a clue as to where to look. Relief pitchers may be the biggest candidate to get caught, as HGH is supposed to speed up recovery time. That would allow a pitcher to possibly pitch three or four days consecutively.

It will be interesting to see whose name comes up first as baseball begins a new era of drug testing.

How Will the Cardinals Adjust to Life After Albert Pujols?

Just like that, he was gone. The adjustment to "Life After Pujols" will be the theme for the St. Louis Cardinals all season long. It may just be the theme for the St. Louis offseason as well.

The Cardinals seemed to have a good contingency plan in case Albert left. Lance Berkman, who had a terrific year for the Cardinals in the outfield, will move to first base. This will open up a spot for Allen Craig, who has been praised by the Cardinal organization for a while now.

The problem is that Craig isn't going to replace Pujols bat in the lineup, so how will the Cardinals operate? Will they lean on a starting pitching staff that could get stronger with the return of Adam Wainright? Or will the Cardinals try and find a bat?

The Cardinals also have to find a new face of the franchise. With Pujols leaving, will the fans flock to their new hometown hero and World Series MVP David Freese?

There are many questions to be answered in St. Louis.

How Will Theo Epstein Mold the Chicago Cubs?

One of baseball's most storied franchises has begun another facelift, as Theo Epstein is running the show for the Chicago Cubs. Espstein has already ended one of baseball's most notorious curses with the Boston Red Sox, but how will he try to do the same in Chicago?

The process has already started as he took Jed Hoyer away from the San Diego Padres to annoint him the new general manager. Epstein also hired Dale Sveum from the Milwaukee Brewers to become the team's new manager.

Now it's all about what he decides to do with personnel. Will Epstein decide to swing for the fences and make a big free agent splash such as Prince Fielder? Or will the Cubs decide to explore the trade route by parting with Matt Garza and Alfonso Soriano?

It may take a while for the Cubs to get back toward contention, but it will be interesting to see if Epstein follows the blueprint he laid in Boston.

Will the Houston Astros Transition to the AL in 2013 Affect Their Offseason?

One of the biggest non-rumor related storylines was the move of the Houston Astros to the American League beginning in 2013. While their fans and traditionalists hate the move, the reality is that the Astros have to prepare for life in the American League.

It could make a major difference on what the club does from here on out. If the Astros don't have a good season in 2012, could the new ownership decide to make a managerial change for somebody who has more experience in the American League?

The Astros could also try and revamp their roster. Obviously, the American League style of play is much different than the National League style of play. Could the Astros try and get an additional hitter or bullpen guy to prepare themselves for the move?

Bobby Valentine Hates the New York Yankees

Well, if you didn't think the Boston Red Sox/New York Yankees rivalry was being rammed down your throat enough, there was a little tidbit that might whet your appetite.

At the Winter Meetings while Valentine was surrounded by a throng of media members, Valentine uttered this simple quote:

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"I hate the Yankees. I don't want to waste this valuable time talking about the Yankees. This time is too valuable."

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ESPN ran to their cameras, computers, cell phones, Twitter accounts and John Kruk even stopped chugging the barrel of Cheese Whiz he was dominating. Those words got plastered everywhere, and it should make said rivalry even more explosive once we get to the regular season.

The Impact of a Second Wild Card Team to Offseason Moves

The moment above was from Evan Longoria's walk-off home run to send the Tampa Bay Rays into the playoffs and send the Boston Red Sox packing. Not only would this moment have been incredibly watered down under the new playoff which adds a new wild card team, it may have kept other teams in it until the last day of the season as well.

The fifth playoff team is going to give hope to some teams who wouldn't have had any chance of making the playoffs under the old four-team system. The third place team in the American League East suddenly has a chance at the playoffs.

Teams are going to realize this and start making moves that they haven't made in the past. For example, the Toronto Blue Jays could feasibly make a hard push at Prince Fielder because they no longer have to topple both the Yankees and Red Sox to get into the playoffs.

The new playoff system will not only create excitement come October, but it may provide some intrigue in January as well.

The Marlins New Stadium

It's always cool to see a new ballpark open in Major League Baseball. Each one is getting more and more creative, and the new Miami Marlins ballpark is no exception.

The new ballpark, located in downtown Miami, will have bells and whistles such as a retractable roof and aquarium backstops. However, the real attraction will be the team on the field as the Marlins have added Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell.

The question is, will Miami come out and see it? I know Dolphin Stadium wasn't the best place to watch a baseball game, but the place was incredibly empty for most of their home games. That included their two World Series runs where fans flocked to the new ballpark once they realized the team was good.

Could the Marlins, after opening an expensive new stadium, be one of the first teams to have it 60 percent empty in its first year?