Baseball

This spring has brought us more stories of the Joba Rules. It has also created more pitchers likely to go under similar rules and talked about in "Is he (pick your guy) best suited as a starter or a reliever?"

Most relievers are failed starting pitchers. The New York Yankees closer extraordinaire Mariano Rivera is one such example.

Seems like every year at about this time in the season, Reds' fans and their "Pro-Pete Cooperstown" articles pop-up more than Miley Cyrus television appearances—and with equal annoyance.

Pete Rose deserves a plaque less than Billy Ripken.

Anyone who is the least bit familiar with my writings knows that to deny my love for the Cincinnati Reds is akin to a rock 'n roll fan saying, "Yeah, that John Lennon, he sorta knew how to write a song—but Miley is better."

Gambling on baseball is the game's only cardinal sin.  

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.

With just over a week remaining until opening day, the prospects of another long season for Cubs fans is finally starting to settle in.

Spring training helped clear up some minor position battles and lineup tweaks, such as Ryan Theriot serving as the full-time leadoff hitter and Mike Fontenot appearing to be the front-runner at second base. But lots of questions remain in arguably the most overlooked aspect of any ballclub: the bullpen.

In a minor move that is nonetheless surprising, the Chicago Cubs dealt backup middle infielder Andres Blanco to the Texas Rangers on Saturday for a player to be named or cash.

Blanco, who will turn 26 on April 11, was the best defensive middle infielder on the Cubs major league roster, but was a lightweight at the plate. In 2009, Blanco batted just .259 with one home run and 12 runs batted in from 123 at bats in 53 games in Chicago.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona has announced his starting rotation when the team breaks camp for the regular season. There are no big surprises, as Josh Beckett will be the 'ace' of the staff, leading off. Dice K Matsuzaka simplified things by needing extra time to prepare for the 2010 season, making the number five spot an easy choice for Francona.

The American League Central will likely be the worst division in baseball this year. According to my calculations (which basically involve ranking every player and the managers), the AL Central will combine for 375 wins, equaling an average of 75 wins per team.

Yikes.

Let's see why this division projects poorly...

5. Cleveland Indians

Projected record: 62-100, 28th in infield, 12th in outfield, 29th in starting pitching, 20th in bullpen.

You've heard it plenty of times already this spring. The 2010 season is the most important season that the Tampa Bay Rays have faced in the entirety of their short history.

While that may sound like daunting news, it is slightly relieving to observe the fact that this will likely be the most talented team to ever take the green carpet at Tropicana Field.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the pitching staff that the Rays have assembled for 2010.

Zach McAllister was born on Dec. 8, 1987 and grew up in the town of Chillicothe in Illinois. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Yankees in the third round of the 2006 draft. When drafted, McAllister's size stood out.

The guy is just built like a starting pitcher. He stands 6'6" tall and weighs 230 pounds, although his weight has fluctuated since becoming a member of the Yankees organization.

There is some concern over Adam Lind and his ability to replicate his 2009 success.  It’s justified, considering he had seen time in the major leagues from 2006 on, compiling 22 HR in 676 AB.  He also had not shown the potential to hit for an excellent average (.238 in ‘07, .282 in ‘08).  The idea of him being a middle-of-the-order impact bat was almost laughable.

That all changed when he posted the following line in his first full major league season: