Baseball

For all the nitty gritty, nuts-and-bolts of what to expect from shortstops and your upcoming fantasy baseball draft, you can check out our extensive shortstop composite and ADP rankings.

However, we know how valuable your time is. The significant other has a springtime honey-do list a mile long, and the MLB season is fast approaching. Don't worry, we have your back.

Listed below, are the points and counterpoints about if we should be as outraged about amphetamines as steroids:

Point: Yes, amphetamines are cheating just like steroids.

Counterpoint: No, steroids enhance performance while amphetamines enable performance. One makes you better while the other gets you on the field to play baseball.

P: Amphetamines do more than just get you on the field.

The 2010 Colorado Rockies face a challenge that no other Rockies team before them has faced. They are blazing trails that some baseball fans in the Rocky Mountain region once felt were impossible to blaze.

Remember the days when NBC and ABC televised the Fall Classic and ratings were soaring? The anticipation and excitement for the World Series was something that we could only dream of today.

Not that I'm saying these recent World Series lacked anticipation, but back then it had a Super Bowl feel to it. It's no surprise with broadcasters like Vin Scully, Joe Garagiola, Keith Jackson, and Howard Casell, just to name a few. It was a beauty watching a game listening to Hall of Fame talent. It was like watching an artist working on a masterpiece.

The Los Angeles Dodgers certainly have weapons on their roster and thus far this Spring, those weapons have been on display. The Dodgers arsenal gives them an edge entering the regular season and a foundation to campaign for a playoff spot. Five essential strengths have to be met in order for a major league club to succeed:

Effective pitching is key. Pitching that keeps the other team from scoring provides an easy-street to wins.

A productive 3-4-5 in the line-up to drive in runs ensures plenty of offense to back up effective pitching.

DEFENSE.

The most successful team in baseball is the Florida Marlins.

Why?

Money.

Professional sports are a business. Businesses make money. The Florida Marlins almost always have the lowest payroll. Last season, the Marlins finished with a payroll of 37 million dollars.

The only team lower then them was the Pirates with 25 million dollars. The Marlins have finished over .500 each of the past two seasons.

How do they keep doing it?

Like the Rays, they stock up on young talent.

Spring Training has been up and running for around a month and in a week we will see our first action of the baseball season between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

Now that Spring Training is nearing an end, it's time to take a look at each division and give our winners, who will grab the Wild Cards and Players of the Year.

AL East

1. New York Yankees

It's simple. Most fans have recognized it, but don't want to admit it. No matter how much some people may hate the Yankees they are stacked and primed for another repeat.

One of Baltimore's best moves this offseason was trading for veteran pitcher, Kevin Millwood. Although some initially questioned the move, his presence has already been felt this spring. Millwood’s locker has been assigned in between two of the Orioles' most coveted prospects, Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman. Both of whom have seen great success this spring and are polishing their resumes in hopes of getting a spot on the opening day roster.

Sitting at a solid 14-11 so far in Cactus League play, the Colorado Rockies have gotten off to a quick start in 2010. Throughout Cactus League play, the Rockies have been near the top of league standings, mixing in big league talent with up-and-coming prospects. 

For much of the 1990's, the Milwaukee Brewers had one of the worst farm systems in all of baseball. Things began to turn around with former GM Dean Taylor and continued with the team of current GM Doug Melvin and former director of scouting Jack Zduriencik.

Over the last six years, Baseball America has ranked the Brewers farm system in their top 10 four times, including No. 3 in 2005. The Brewers have done a great job producing young hitters, but they are still waiting on young pitching to add to Yovani Gallardo.

Unlike other lists, you won't see Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar on this list.