Baseball

Los Angeles Angels (Last Season: 97-65)

The Angels have lost key players over the offseason such as John Lackey, Chone Figgins, and Vladimir Guerrero.

These are players that have contributed so much over the years towards the Angels’ success. Because of this, many might think that due to these players departing, the Angels will not be nearly as good as they have been over the past eight years. But for some reason, I’m thinking the opposite.

The Red Sox seem quite comfortable spending liberally to bring players into the organization from other teams while simultaneously refusing to give their own players similar consideration when negotiating new deals.

The question is—why?

If you are unfamiliar with Baltimore Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold , listen up.

In 2009, Baseball America ranked Reimold as Baltimore’s fifth best prospect, saying the Bowling Green State alum possesses “the raw power to compare with just about anyone in the minors, rating a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale.” They also acknowledged his potential to “be an average overall hitter if he continues to make adjustments.”

This article was originally published at TheDailyCub.com , my blog covering all things Chicago Cubs.

Sorry for the three-day delay with posts, there is just very little going on. With that in mind, I will try to squeeze out whatever stories are happening and give you some updates on the Cubs.

Here are a few stories that have happened over the past few days.

Aramis Ramirez returns to the diamond

With Phil Hughes likely the team’s fifth starter and Curtis Granderson firmly in place as the team’s center fielder, the Yankees are just about set for the season.

Now we just have to find out who the utility infielder is, exactly how the bullpen is going to be set up, and wait...

Until then, here are some news items to hold you over.

Brian McCann came into today's game against the Philadelphia Phillies batting .440 with two homers, and Tim Hudson entered his fifth spring start with a 1.93 ERA and a 13-1 K/BB ratio.

With Hudson facing the tough Philadelphia lineup and McCann batting against tough, young left-hander J.A. Happ, it would have been easy to expect those numbers to come back down to Earth.

All good things must come to an end— unless

“Lock it up”

If you are reading this and you don’t already know where that quote is from, you need to put this paper down immediately and go watch the movie “Wedding Crashers.”

On second thought…finish reading my article first, then go and watch the movie.

According to Blake Bentley of MLB Trades Rumors, 17-year-old right-handed pitcher Rafael DePaula is expected to sign with a major league team soon with the Yankees and the Mariners listed as the most likely landing spots for the Dominican pitcher.

For five months, Miguel Cabrera led the Tigers' charge for first place in the Central division.

MVP, MVP, MVP!

With a beastly average of .330 to support 33 home runs and 101 RBI, Cabrera embodied all that was good in Detroit.

He, the young-blooded Venezuelan, along with Justin Verlander and the upcoming phenom Rick Porcello, was among the successful faces of the 2009 season.

Ah, pure rejoicing—the playoffs seemed inevitable.

Deep breath, cross fingers.