5 things we learned about MLB this year

The final few months of 2014 ended in a flurry of moves, providing baseball fans with a snapshot of a year full of change and historic growth. From pennant races and improbable playoff runs to a wild World Series and unbelievable offseason, Major League Baseball ended 2014 with an exclamation point.

Here's what we learned in 2014:

Teams and players are cashing in

Recent broadcast deals are beginning to make their way into players' pockets after five of the top 20 richest contracts in MLB history were signed this calendar year.

TV deals helped the league generate a reported $9 billion in record-breaking revenue this year and helped four clubs secure their superstars with mega extensions (Giancarlo Stanton, Clayton Kershaw, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout). The Los Angeles Dodgers paid an Opening Day-record $234 million for their roster, and more than half the league topped $100 million in payroll.

Even frugal spenders such as the Miami Marlins were drinking the Kool-Aid this year, inking Stanton to a record-breaking 13-year, $325-million contract this fall.

Wild (Card) World Series 

Baseball's financial health appears to be having a positive effect on parity in the sport - or maybe it's just the additional wild card. 

MLB recorded its seventh-highest attendance numbers of all time this year, and the fact nearly half the league was still in playoff contention at the beginning of September likely had something to do with it.

We learned two things in October: good things come to those who wait, and Madison Bumgarner is not from this planet.

The Kansas City Royals ended their 29-year playoff drought with a remarkable run to the World Series - a fairy tale month that included a record eight straight wins to begin a postseason.

Their dreams were ended by Bumgarner, who helped his San Francisco Giants to their third title in five years and reminded us why a pitch count is nothing but a number.

Anyone (thinks they) can win

Neither the Giants nor Royals managed to hit the proverbial 90-wins-and-you've-got-a-chance-at-the-playoffs benchmark, yet they were the last teams standing at the end of October. Perhaps inspired by their improbable success, it seems more clubs than ever are trading and spending their way into contention this offseason.

This winter has revealed more buyers than sellers, with just a handful of teams clearly committing themselves to a rebuild in 2015. 

Blockbuster trade after blockbuster signing has clubs like the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox dreaming of a Royal-like 2015.

Pitching remains on trend

MLB pitchers recorded the highest strikeout rate of all time in 2014 - the seventh straight year league average rates have soared to new highs. Offense, meanwhile, is down across the game, evidenced by the lowest league on-base percentage (.314) in 42 years.

This past year also taught us to never underestimate Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers left-hander became the first National League pitcher since Bob Gibson in 1968 to win the Cy Young and MVP in the same season.

End of an era

Sabermetric baseball, expanded instant replay, extra wild cards, big TV money and maybe even pitching safety caps - the game is evolving at an unprecedented speed. Out with the old is future Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter and White Sox great Paul Konerko, and it appears hit-machine Ichiro Suzuki may not be far behind, either.

Helping usher in the new era is Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout, who finally secured his first MVP after another world-class season.

Speaking of change, commissioner-elect Rob Manfred takes over for Bud Selig in less than a month and inherits a sport still reeling from the damage caused by the so-called Steroid Era. 

This year began with debate over whether all-time greats (and suspected PED users) like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are worthy of Cooperstown. Twelve months later, we've learned the HOF steroid debate is just beginning to heat up.