MLB

So, how was your cool, damp Friday night?

Good?

Mine was better.

After six stifling hours of class, subsisting on cheap sushi and stuff you get out of the vending machine, my friend Brent and I headed to the New Yankee Stadium to catch the exhibition Cubs-Yankees game.

2009 has the potential to be a big season, the last season at the Metrodome with a chance to give it a proper send out by being able to celebrate on the field.

It was a long and slow off season for the Twins. There were many rumors of trades and free agent signings then came and went. I believe their patience payed off as they eventually signed their man in Joe Crede.

After more than a month of competitions and some unfortunate injuries, the Minnesota Twins have a final answer, to all of their roster questions.

By optioning infielder Matt Tolbert to triple-A Rochester on Friday night, the Twins have set their roster, one day shy of the conclusion of spring training.

When the Twins take the field on Monday, here is who'll be in attendance wearing the white pinstripes (hoping Morneau will be fine):

Ichiro Suzuki (SEA, OF)

Ichiro has been placed on the DL for fatigue and a bleeding ulcer. Ouch.

Travis Hafner (CLE, DH)

Pronk has finally found his pop. With zero home runs in his first 41 spring at-bats, he has hit two long balls in his last three games.

Andre Ethier (LAD, OF)

Ethier went yard and added a triple on Thursday. Big things expected from Andre this year.

Mark Teahen (KC, OF/2B)

Five under-the-radar teams/performers that should enjoy breakout levels of success in ’09.

As the 2009 Major League Baseball season rapidly approaches and the second edition of the WBC fades into the rear-view mirror, it’s hard not to look across the league as a whole and notice a distinct alteration from, say, 2004 in regards to the depth and over-arching philosophy guiding the overseers of many low-profile organizations.

With Ichiro out for 15 days with a bleeding ulcer, this change can't be effective immediately, but it might be a good idea.

Ichiro is not none for power; many analysts have said "he could hit for power if he wanted."

Well, from the M's three spot, they don't need too much power.

Yet, Ichiro seems to have the perfect amount of power.

So we're here...almost to Opening Day. Time for the NL West picks before we go to my fantasmagical playoffs that probably won't happen. Here it is...the final division to analyze in baseball...the NL West.

In first Place...

Los Angeles Dodgers

Yeah. Look at him up there. All Manny-bein'-Manny like. Yeah...

I hate him with a fiery passion.

Despite all my rage (I am still just a rat in a cage), the Dodgers will win the NL West.

Today it was reported that the Seattle Mariner's all-star lead off man, Ichiro Suzuki would be out for 15 days with a bleeding ulcer.  Mariners fans are all hoping he gets better soon, because he is the club's lead-off man.

Now, while a bleeding ulcer sounds painful, and can be deadly if not treated, there are other things to discus, other than the injury.

Who will be the first man to step into the batter's box on Monday?

In the major leagues, there seem only four options:

Franklin Gutierrez

The steroid era is finally over. It leaves with an Alex Rodriguez whimper after a Jose Canseco roar. 

Now we can get back to b-a-s-e-b-a-l-l. 

The teams that do that the best will be the best. 

No more artificially enhanced Giants bashing baseballs for game ending home runs.

No more curiously powerful shortstops gaining 50 lbs in two years and becoming number three hitters. 

The new game will be remarkably like the old game. The game we grew up playing. A game of skill and strategy and speed and defense and beauty.