30 reasons to be excited for Spring Training

Spring Training has always had a magical quality to it, and that's true no matter how many times you've been through it. It's warm weather and green grass and seeing your favorite team again. In that way, it truly is renewal.
And there's optimism, too -- gobs of it in every camp. Some of it at different levels, but still. It's when things start to come into focus. Wade Davis pitching for the Cubs, Chris Sale for the Red Sox. Dexter Fowler bringing his smile to the Cardinals, Edwin Encarnación ramping up the excitement around the Indians.
It all starts to feel real with Major League Baseball announcing every team's workout dates on Tuesday. For some clubs, that day is a mere five weeks away. What are you looking forward to seeing?
Here's my list for all 30 teams, by division:
National League East
• Braves:Bartolo Colon takes batting practice, too. His are less interesting than Bryce Harper. But Colon is a big reason the Braves are excited about 2017.

• Marlins:Giancarlo Stanton does things that take your breath away. Among them, he had the four hardest-hit baseballs in the game last season, according to Statcast™. They ranged from 118.7-120.1 mph.
• Mets: Get there early for the bullpen sessions. Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz are the nucleus of what should be baseball's best starting rotation.
• Nationals: Harper's batting practices are among the most entertaining things in the game. Get there early.
• Phillies: Amid a roster loaded with talented kids is center fielder Odúbel Herrera, who emerged as a star in 2016. He represents where the Phillies are headed.
NL Central
• Brewers:Eric Thames is back in the United States after four seasons in Korea. The Brewers believe he will jump-start his career nicely.
• Cardinals: Alex Reyes may have the best pure stuff in the game. His bullpen sessions alone will be must-see entertainment.
• Cubs: How many generations of Cubs fans have dreamed of the boys taking the field as World Series champions? Welcome to the new normal.
• Pirates: To see Andrew McCutchen still in a Pirates uniform should be the sweetest of sights for Pittsburgh fans.

• Reds: Joey Votto is the most prepared, meticulous and conscientious hitter of his generation -- and one of the best.
NL West
• D-backs:Paul Goldschmidt is quietly putting together a Hall of Fame resume. He prides himself on doing everything correctly. Goldschmidt is not the only reason to be excited about this team, just the best.
• Dodgers:Corey Seager is already one of the five or 10 best players in the game. He's also all of 22.

• Giants: Hunter Pence is back, and one of many reasons the Giants are optmistic.
• Padres: Top prospect Hunter Renfroe represents a new era of Padres baseball -- not just the talent, but the youth and energy.
• Rockies: Have the Rockies ever been this optimistic about the future? That optimism begins with Chad Bettis at the front of a rotation that has a chance to be special.
American League East
• Blue Jays:Josh Donaldson has come to define baseball in Toronto, where they appreciate his desire and his production.
• Orioles:Adam Jones has led a remarkable turnaround. After 14 seasons without a playoff appearance, the Orioles have been to the postseason three times in the past five years.
• Rays: Evan Longoria is a pro's pro. To watch him do something as simple as taking infield is a joy.
• Red Sox: Retirement is hard, isn't it, David Ortiz? Are you being pulled back? I speak for all of Red Sox Nation when I say if you decide to jump back in, we'd be happy to have you.

• Yankees: Your chance to watch a new generation of Yankees. Greg Bird and Aaron Judge. Tyler Austin and Luis Severino. The Yanks have a loaded farm system, too.
AL Central
• Indians: After signing Encarnacion, no team opens the 2017 season with more optimism than the one that co-starred in one of the great Fall Classics ever played. No team is more optimistic about what a new season holds.
• Royals: Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas are back for another ride. They've come to define the teams that won back-to-back AL pennants in 2014-15.
• Tigers:Miguel Cabrera is the living, breathing definition of greatness. Catch him now. One day Cabrera will have a plaque in Cooperstown.
• Twins: This is the season we find out about Byron Buxton. No player has a greater skill set, and he's capable of leading the Twins into their next great era.
• White Sox: Yoán Moncada and Lucas Giolito are part of a new White Sox era of youth and optimism.

AL West
• Angels: Mike Trout is the best player of his generation. Whether it's the first day of spring or the last day in October, he's the one you don't want to miss.
• Astros: Who doesn't want to see Brian McCann and Carlos Beltrán in their new uniforms? They'll look good lining up beside Jose Altuve, George Springer and Carlos Correa.

• Athletics: There's young pitching, and when there's young pitching, there's hope.
• Mariners: There may be better things in baseball than watching Félix Hernández throw in a game, a batting practice or a bullpen. But it's a real short list.
• Rangers:Adrián Beltré is beginning his 20th season. He won't be around forever. Every chance to see Beltre play is an opportunity to see one of the all-time greats.