AL Central

When you commit $64 million dollars to three pitchers over the span of two years, there are certain expectations that need to be met.

Take a look at the San Francisco Giants. Their three headed monster of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Barry Zito are making $54.05 million collectively in 2009 and 2010. Last year they won a combined 39 games in 98 starts and struck out 586 batters in 635 innings pitched. Those numbers are produced by, what some regard, the best top end rotation in the league.

Yesterday I made my guess at which hitters will be named to the Tiger's opening day roster -- I'll finish up with the pitchers today.

The locks:
Justin Verlander (R)
Rick Porcello (R)
Ryan Perry (R)
Jose Valverde (L)

After 28 long seasons spent cooped up inside a big Teflon bubble the Minnesota Twins will be moving to an exquisite new ballpark for the 2010 season.

Target Field figures to provide the Twins with not only a much better playing environment, but also much larger revenue streams.

The club has already made the most of the revenue increase by bumping the payroll nearly $40 million over last year’s Opening Day payroll.

First off I want to apologize for my lack of writing as of late. I've been on Spring Break this past week and...well...lets just say that the computer I'm using isn't the greatest. I know it's a lame excuse, but it's the truth. So I apologize and I will certainly write about a lot of things this week (such as the Nick Blackburn contract extension, Joe Nathan injury, and I'll finally get around to finishing my Top 50 Twins Prospect list). Thanks for visiting.

When the news broke this morning that the Minnesota Twins signed one of their regulars to a contract, I am sure every Twins fan was hoping it was Joe Mauer who was signed to that contract. Unfortunately, for Twins fans it was not Mauer who was signed this morning.

Instead they will have to settle for five more years of Denard Span.

The Minnesota Twins locked up a talented 26-year-old today, but not the one that fans have been expecting.

While the club still hasn’t finalized a deal with Joe Mauer, they have ensured consistency in the outfield for the foreseeable future.

Yet again, the AL Central will be the most competitive division in baseball.

The White Sox, Twins, and Tigers could be the team making the playoffs here. Hell, the Indians could make a run as well.

Because of this, you aren't going to see a team win 100 games. However, you will see some great baseball. 

Chicago White Sox

Eddie Guardado, known largely for piling up strikeouts, was given his walking papers today.

The Washington Nationals released the veteran southpaw after two less-than-stellar exhibition performances. Guardado posted an ERA of 18.00 in just two innings of work this spring.

Word got out the other day that Major League Baseball's "special committee for onfield matters" has discussed a "radical floating realignment" idea.

While I believe that competitive imbalance issues in baseball are widely overstated (more on that later), I understand the need for new, revolutionary ideas.

One idea struck me as I read the story: Why do we need divisions, anyway?

Forget "Who's On First?".

The big question entering the 2010 season for the Indians is: "Who's Going To Lead This Team?".

Sure, we all feel better about the leadership coming from the dugout with the effervescent Manny Acta at the helm instead of the flat-lining Eric Wedge. But the team still needs a leader on the field.

Who is up to the task? Ladies and gentlemen, your candidates...

Begin Slideshow