Opinion

The New York Yankees came into 2009 with more depth on offense than any year since Darryl Strawberry came off the bench.

With the acquisition of Nick Swisher and the emergence of Brett Gardner in center field, head coach Joe Girardi had countless ways to mix and match a powerful offensive attack.

The signing of Mark Teixeira, however, was the first spark in an eventual flame out of Girardi’s plans.

It is impossible to question the signing of a dynamite offensive leader in his prime who also possesses top-notch defensive prowess.

Team Puerto Rico reminded me of the 2008 Mets in the way they lost to Team USA.

Team Puerto Rico was leading Team USA 5-3 going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Pedro Feliciano reminded me of last year, and to most Puerto Rico fans, it wasn't good. He did not have good command and put himself in a hole.

The Puerto Rican team had a chance to get out of it with a double play, but Carlos Delgado was pulled off the bag. It was all downhill from there.

Team USA is falling apart at the seams more each passing day, and last night, they suffered another blow. The game did and will continue to go on, but with few to no reserves, it is getting scarier by the minute. Reserves can and will be called on for the semifinals this weekend, but their effectiveness in this tournament will remain to be seen in front of the world.

I've been playing around in several draft lobbies lately and watching box scores. What's nice about this time of year is that it allows us to really take a look at recovering players and learn about injuries before we start drafting.  

So what have we seen this spring that would impact drafting and the season in general? More than you might think for a typical spring. Here are some notes taken over the past weeks that may help when setting up your drafts. 

Draft Late 

On March 15, Cubs skipper Lou Piniella told reporters that the Cubs second base position is Mike Fontenot's to lose. What? Fontenot a starter? Its about time that Pineilla got it right. Fontenot has shown that he can hit when called upon, and he will make Cubs forget about the loss of Mark DeRosa.

Looking at Fontenot's numbers, mainly in spot starts and pinch hitting situations, his numbers seem incredible. In 119 games last year, Fontenot batted .305 with 42 runs, nine home runs, and 40 RBI. That is incredible for not being an everyday player. He did this all in only 243 AB's!

Chris Coste, the most lovable professional player in Philadelphia right now, might become the most lovable former Phillie within the next week or so. Coste, who is the man who fought his way to the major leagues to finally get a shot with the Phillies in 2006, received immortality status when the Phillies won the World Series last October.

Yesterday I sat down to watch the United States and Puerto Rico compete in an elimination game for the World Baseball Classic. It was the top of the ninth and a chant of unrivaled irony rained from the stands.

The Puerto Rico supporters began chanting "Go Home, Gringos!"

The irony of this chant is that it was being chanted in English, but that is beside the point.

Fast forward 30 minutes or so and David Wright is up to bat. Bases loaded, two outs. As Wright hits a gorgeous shot down the foul line, the crowd is silent.

Don't worry, everybody.

Let out that breath you've been holding in.

Stop refreshing denverpost.com to check for updates on the Jay Cutler trade saga.

Everything is copacetic in Colorado.

How is that possible, you ask?

Todd Helton is back.

Though two and a half weeks remain before rosters are set for Opening Day, Helton is already partying like it's 2001 and we've all got spots on the guest list.

Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, David Murphy, Nelson Cruz, Frank Francisco, Kevin Millwood, and Vicente Padilla are just a few of the players that have spots on the 25-man roster already locked up.

Other names like Josh Rupe, Joaquin Arias, German Duran, Brandon Boggs, Brendan Donnelly, and Andruw Jones are players that are still competing for a spot on the 25-man roster.

No matter where Pablo Sandoval ends up playing on the field for the San Francisco Giants in 2009 and beyond, there's one thing that's for certain: The kid is going to hit.

The burly Venezuelan has done nothing to diminish his standing as one of the Giants' best young hitters this spring. In 38 at-bats in March, Sandoval has hit .447 with two home runs and six RBI.

That's right...a .447 batting average.