2011 MLB Spring Training

The fresh cut grass, smell of garlic fries and crack of the bat.

Soon, those things will be joined by real baseball. Baseball that counts and means more than just getting pitchers work.

One of the joys of baseball, for me, are the story lines: the drama that unfolds over a season or carried over from the previous one. For various reasons, I find myself drawn to see certain players who have changed teams or find out if all the moves by another team translates into success.

So let's look at a few of those and speculate about why they'll be fun to watch.

It’s a sad day in baseball when humorists cannot find anything to chuckle about during Red Sox spring training. There is no laughing in baseball this season.

This year’s team is a sober group, unwilling to crack a joke along with the crack of their bats. Their breakfast is the cereal of champions.

While many baseball experts already count the New York Mets out of playoff contention this early in the spring, the Mets have many athletes that can surpass expectations enough to make a legitimate comeback in 2011.

As the team continues to work hard in Port St. Lucie, here is a list of the seven recovering New York Mets that will have the biggest impact on the 2011 MLB season.

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Spring training is more than halfway in the books, and the final roster spots for the Opening Day of 2011 are still being determined by the Rays' staff.

Most of the open spots are in the bullpen, where several pitchers are still in the hunt for a spot on the roster, come April 1st. There are at least three spots up for grabs, with Adam Russell no longer a sure thing and J.P. Howell on the mend for the first month.

America's favorite pastime is almost here. Can you feel it? They can in Miami. 

I'm going to give you 10 reasons why you should watch the Florida Marlins this season.

Not only will they give the Phils a run for their money, but they could be a legitimate contender for the World Series title. Here we go!

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Jacob Turner, RHP, Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jacob Turner, 20, is on a Porcello-like fast track to the big leagues.

However, with Phil Coke grasping a hammerlock on the fifth starter spot, Turner will begin 2011 in AA Erie. Nevertheless, the organization is infatuated with his top-of-the-rotation potential.

I live for this, for MLB,

for every inning of sanctity.

For every pitch, for each at-bat,

revering the talent beyond the stats.

I live for the scent of old leather mitts,

I live for the cadence of the walk-off base hit.

I live for the moment when winter gives way,

to the unmatched thrill of Opening Day.

I live for this, the stadium stands,

fusing the hope of breathless fans.

Diamondbacks’ manager Kirk Gibson was interviewed today on the Gambo and Ash show on KTAR 620 AM.  Gibson gave a few updates on how spring is going and the progress he’s seeing in some of the players.  Below are some notable remarks that he made.

Ian Kennedy is the opening day starter.

With the MLB season right around the corner, teams are busy showcasing their newly acquired talent during spring training.

A handful of teams significantly improved their rosters as they gear up for a potential World Series run.

However, other teams shook up their rosters in order to clear some payroll while giving their young prospects a shot.

In either case, we should see a ton of new faces donning new uniforms this season.

Here are 10 teams that saw their roster outlook change the most this offseason.

Injuries are a part of any sport, and baseball is no exception.

Injuries can change a team’s ideas and plans, alter division standings and cause managers infinite frustration.

The regular season has not started in baseball, but there have already been many significant injuries.  Not all injuries are the same.  Like anything else in this world, some are more important than others.