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The telephone conversation was short and sweet, taking place between Aaron Judge and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman on an early December afternoon. New York had a deal on the table to acquire Giancarlo Stanton from the Marlins, and the American League Rookie of the Year Award winner had been summoned to offer his opinion.

The Yankees have long been connected to Manny Machado, and although the Orioles superstar can hit free agency next offseason, it’s not out of the question that the Yankees might make another major trade.

This time of year is always full of hope, as every team has a fresh start and can dream about the upcoming season. Teams don’t have to cut down their roster to 25 yet, and fans can get a look at a wide range of players.

Verlander, the best troll of them all.

This time of year is always full of hope, as every team has a fresh start and can dream about the upcoming season. Teams don’t have to cut down their roster to 25 yet, and fans can get a look at a wide range of players.

The Cubs welcomed Yu Darvish to their Spring Training facility on Tuesday.

The free agent considered the best slugger in this year’s market still remains available in J.D. Martinez. The 30-year-old outfielder enjoyed a career year in 2017, slugging .690 with 45 home runs in 119 games, 29 of which came in 62 games for the D-backs following a mid-July trade with the Tigers.

Of the many decisions a manager must make throughout a season, picking an Opening Day starter hardly is the most consequential. After all, every team needs at least five starters — and almost always more — to get through a grueling 162-game schedule.

So many things can get in the way — randomness, regression, injuries, the Washington Nationals, etc. But the Dodgers and Cubs enter 2018 with the distinct possibility of doing something unprecedented in the National League — meeting three straight seasons on the NL Championship Series stage.

Of the many decisions a manager must make throughout a season, picking an Opening Day starter hardly is the most consequential. After all, every team needs at least five starters — and almost always more — to get through a grueling 162-game schedule.