Horsehide Chronicles

When last we saw Bobby Valentine, he was up to his neck in trouble trying to run a single baseball team.

Now he's going to try to run a whole athletic program.

Get ready to see more of Mike Trout and Bryce Harper this year.

Literally.

If you turn on a New York Yankees spring game and find yourself staring at Brett Gardner in center field and Curtis Granderson in left field, do not adjust your television set. The situation will be under control.

The Boston Red Sox should have a different clubhouse culture in 2013 than they did in 2011 or 2012. They have a new manager and an assortment of new players, and the organization has made establishing a strong clubhouse a primary directive.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton has the game on the field pretty well mastered. He has tremendous natural talent, and he can look like the game's best player when he's in a groove.

Los Angeles Angels star outfielder Mike Trout has taken the whole "Best Shape of His Life" business in a completely new direction, and he has created some rather pressing questions as a result.

The 10-year, $275 million contract Alex Rodriguez signed in 2007 is one of the biggest mistakes in the history of the New York Yankees. The only good thing that can be said about it is that it has taught the Yankees precisely where they should draw the line when it comes to long-term contracts.

It all ended tragically for the Atlanta Braves in 2012, but they're heading into 2013 knowing that they were right there with the best teams in the National League last season.

They're also heading into 2013 knowing that they're a much-improved team. The Braves aren't just a legit postseason contender. They're a legit World Series contender.

This will be it. This will be the year when the New York Yankees are finally undone by their age. Their collective geezerness will finally get the better of them.

A couple years ago, the cut fastball was Mariano Rivera's pitch. He was the only pitcher in baseball who threw it with any regularity, not to mention with any real skill.

Now it seems like every pitcher in the majors features a cutter in his repertoire. The popularity of the cutter has increased dramatically, and hitters around the league aren't crazy about it.