MLB

The Red Sox traded away arguably one of the best shortstops in the game today in Florida’s Hanley Ramirez. After three years with the Marlins, Ramirez has totaled 79 home runs and 207 RBI’s while the Redsox have struggled to find a consistent shortstop.

The Houston Astros made a splash in free agency this week signing catcher Ivan Rodriguez to a one-year deal. Now don’t expect that all of Houston’s problems are solved and they have everything they need to reach the promised land. The move does however improve any chances Houston had at a division title or the wild card far more than anyone realizes.

The report is very disconcerting for Atlanta Braves fans.

Chipper Jones strained oblique muscle is only getting worse after reaggravating the injury trying to come back and play for his country.

He has finally decided to head back to Braves camp in hopes that he can be ready to play in a few days.

Some early reports stated that Chipper might not be available until opening day, but the latest reports—and even Chipper himself—said that he should be back within the week.

Coming from the Southeast, I am surrounded by three "fandoms": Braves, Red Sox, and Yankees.

I side with the first.

With this, came the natural hatred of the New York Yankees.

They seemed to be the polar opposite of my beloved Bravos. They always spent a TON of money and never really focused on their farm.

However, with the gradual evolution of my love of the game of baseball came the gradual increase of respect for the Yankees.

Fans are always asking: why do Major League teams bring so many players to Spring Training?

To answer that question quickly—they do it in order to get a good look at how the young players are performing and more importantly how they play against other Major League talent.

But after a few weeks, the teams will begin shorting their rosters in order for their Major League starters to get more consistent and longer game appearances.

On Sunday, the Texas Rangers made their first round of optioning players to the minor league squad in preparation for Opening Day.

Note: All team projections were found using the FEINs projections. An explanation behind projected wins, losses, and other stats can be found here.

1. Los Angeles Angels

Standing at 6 feet 7 inches, 290+ pounds, hurling a horse-hide sphere at 96 miles an hour straight at you, it's safe to say, you're not safe when C.C. Sabathia's on the mound. But for how much longer will Sabathia be able to maintain this level of pitching?

An offseason acquisition brought him to New York, where good players go to die.

So the 28 and overweight Sabathia was a perfect candidate to play in NY: a pitcher who's had mediocre-to-terrible statistics against the division he recently joined.   

(If you haven't got a clue what I'm talking about, read this.)

So I started with about 35 potential starting second basemen and I thought a lot about it. Now here’s Carter’s version of the top 30 MLB second basemen entering the 2009 season.

Drop a comment if you agree or are a little confused about someone being too high or too low.

1. Ian Kinsler (Rangers)

2. Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox)

3. Brian Roberts (Orioles)

4. Chase Utley (Phillies)

5. Brandon Phillips (Reds)

6. Jose Lopez (Mariners)

7. Kelly Johnson (Braves)

Manny Ramirez's hamstring injury will now keep him out for at least a week of spring training.

Joe Torre said that the Dodgers are going to keep him out and let him rest so that he can come back 100 percent, instead of possibly injuring it further.

Ramirez aggravated his sore left hamstring Sunday while playing the outfield for the first time this spring.