Hot topics: Cactus clubs look ahead to season

February 22nd, 2017

In advance of Friday's opening round of spring exhibitions, the managers and general managers from the clubs competing in Arizona were on hand Tuesday for the fifth annual Cactus League Spring Training Media Day.
Below is a rundown of all the biggest stories to come out of Tuesday's event:
Angels: The Angels are taking a wait-and-see approach to their surplus of first-base options. General manager Billy Eppler said the club is in no rush to make a decision until the end of Spring Training.
Dodgers: The Dodgers are committed to finding more days off for veteran first baseman and limiting the workload for 20-year-old hurler .

Reds: The Reds head into 2017 with reasons for optimism, looking to shed their rebuilding label and continue to develop of their young core.
Giants: Bruce Bochy expects tough competition for his squad this season in the balanced National League West with both Colorado and Arizona on the rise.
Padres: The Padres could experiment with new ways of deploying their pitching staff this season in an effort to negate any matchup advantages for opposing lineups.

Rangers: The Rangers have to thank for their acquisition of Mike Napoli this offseason. Had Encarnacion not signed with Indians, Texas may have faced stiff competition in its pursuit of the veteran power bat.
Rockies: General manager Jeff Bridich hopes the Rockies can follow the path paved by the '14-'15 Royals and the '16 Indians as a model for mid-market success.
Royals: Royals general manager Dayton Moore isn't worried about his club losing much of its 2015 championship core -- Mike Moustakas, , and -- when their contracts expire next winter.
White Sox: The White Sox are getting a closer look at the rebuilding effort in Chicago as their young talent takes the field together in Arizona, offering a glimpse into the organization's future.