Parity is a huge buzz word for Major League Baseball. Regardless of a lack of salary cap system, baseball is arguably the most balanced of the four professional sports teams, almost in spite of itself. The big fish still buy command the star power, but the implicit spending of money has done nothing to guarantee a championship.

So it is almost comical to see the way team approaches changed this offseason. Sure, Tampa held its course, knowing that their unendng stream of young talent would again step in and make them a post season contender without having to break their budget by invading the free agent market.

Other teams, and some surprising ones, decided to take that plunge.

The Marlins for instance, spent much of the Winter Meetings splurging on the likes of Jose Reyes, Mark Buerhle, and Heath Bell, not to mention making a solid run at Albert Pujols. Now, apparently still looking for another outfield bat, are heavily involved in the bidding for Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes. For a team that has coincidentally placed both 26th or worse in attendence and also 24th or worse in team payroll for 12 of the last 13 years.

Then there is the Washington Nationals, a team rebuffed in its efforts to add the big bat it wanted in Prince Fielder, but did pull off one of the best trades of the winter when they acquired Gio Gonzalez from Oakland. They have since added Edwin Jackson on a decent one-year deal, making them have one of the most solid rotations in the National League. They still need that big bat, but given the quality of their pitching staff and the chance of uber-prospect Bryce Harper may win a job out of spring training, that may be a moot point.

The good folks in Texas were previously following the example set by the Rays. After years of making ill-advised high-money deals, the Rangers returned to the model of developing their own talent and making good, high-reward trades. They've crafted that strategy into back-to-back appearances in the World Series. Yet, after losing C.J. Wilson to the rival Angels, this team just a few years removed from bankruptcy made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason, dropping $51 million plus on a posting fee for Yu Darvish and then a $60 million contract to lock him up for the next 10 seasons. 

So why the big push to climb into baseball's salary race?

The Marlins have an obvious need to generate fan interest in a team moving into a new stadium. They, and Jeffery Loria in particular, have been so maligned by fans for their cheap ways, that they've actually done more to hamper their fan following. Now, with the new stadium in pocket, they have to prove that the taxpayer money for a new park will make them relevant again. Like the Nationals, they are a team that is looking for a bump in popularity and competitiveness. Also like the Nationals, they play in a very tough National League East division. The Rangers splurged on the Darvish signing and also have to lock up Josh Hamilton, but with the Arte Moreno and the Angels spending Disney type money again, the Rangers may not even make it out of their own division this year.

That all said, if there has been any lesson learned in baseball over the last 15 years, buying in doesn't always guarantee that elusive banner on the outfield wall. For every Red Sox and Phillies championship, the Giants, Cardinals, and even the Marlins have defied the odds and come home with a championship in hand instead of just on paper.

In the end, the dollar is the king during the offseason and may grab you the headlines you want, but the bat and ball bring home the championship.