2010 MLB Spring Training

San Diego Padres (2010 record: 90-72)

Notable additions: SS Jason Bartlett, 1B Jorge Cantu, RHP Aaron Harang, 1B Brad Hawpe, 2B Orlando Hudson, CF Cameron Maybin, SP Dustin Moseley, C Gregg Zaun

Notable subtractions: 2B David Eckstein, RHP Jon Garland, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, CF Tony Gwynn Jr., SS Miguel Tejada, C Yorvit Torrealba, RHP Chris Young

What a difference one week makes. Last week at this time, I knew everyone by name walking around the Nationals Spring Training complex in Viera, Florida. Today, I hardly knew anyone. The Washington Nationals' first official day of full roster workouts were met with hoards of media and many fans.

The National media, the local DC media and everything else in between were there for basically one reason: to see the spring training debut of the 18-year-old baseball phenom known as Bryce Harper.

This is about the time of year when baseball fans start getting antsy every season. 

It's about midway between the World Series and the beginning of spring training, but this off-season has given us plenty to talk about. 

Jayson Werth, Carl Crawford, and Cliff Lee's $100 million contracts have kept us busy.

But now it's time to start thinking about spring training, and one of the more interesting elements of spring training is non-roster invitees.

If nothing, this was a sign of trust in Dontrelle Willis and Jeremy Bonderman.

Because what the Tigers did on Tuesday—dealing left-hander Nate Robertson to the Florida Marlins for left-hander Jay Voss—was nothing short of a release.

Did anyone really think otherwise?

The Tigers are paying $9.6 million of his $10-million salary this year and are virtually giving the payroll-sensitive Marlins the left-handed starter that they desperately needed.  

What I’m Reading

• Get ready for some comic mischief and summer-hijinks – and all of it outdoors! What I’m trying to say here is that the Twins are planning on using a closer-by-committee strategy in Joe Nathan’s absence.

Alright, the bold prediction doesn't have to do with the Tigers, it just fit the theme of the title. Kind of. Anyway, Aroldis Chapman will win Rookie of the Year in the National League. There you have it. It's Quick Pitches.

WHAT I'M READING

• My early pick for NL Rookie of the Year? Why, none other than The Cuban Sensation .

The Yankees jumped out to a 7-0 lead in today’s game before rain ended things. Damaso Marte got the start (that’s right), and Mariano Rivera pitched the second inning. Andy Pettitte , who has only pitched in one official Spring Training game thanks to rain, had his outing cut short after pitching just one inning. He then went indoors and pitched a simulated game, stopping at 100 pitches.

It may be just 10 days before Opening Day, but for starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka—who has been sidelined by a series of aches and pains for a large portion of spring training—it’s much more akin to March 1.

Dice-K took his first steps towards becoming a contributing member of the rotation yesterday with two innings of work against the Florida Marlins, allowing a run on two hits in his outing.

It was the first time he faced major league hitters in live action this spring.

Yesterday I took a look at which batters were ripping up the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues.

So naturally, today I will look at which pitchers are in midseason form.

Here are the spring training All-Star pitchers. Stats are through March 25, 2010.

SP: Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves—3-1 with a 1.35 ERA and 17 K’s in 20.1 IP

Hudson is fully recovered now from Tommy John surgery and could turn into the Braves’ ace as the season moves along. Last time Hudson was completely healthy, he did win 16 games.

What I’m Reading

• Tune in tonight at 7 for our unnecessarily extended sappy special, “Not Officially, But Close: The John Smoltz Retirement Story.” Sounds like a romantic-comedy.