Opinion

The Diamondbacks have recently been in contact with the Texas Rangers about acquiring third baseman Michael Young, however it appears as though no serious talks have since proceeded. It was recently reported that the Rangers would be willing to pay half of his remaining $48 million contract, or $16 million per season through 2013.

During their primes Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey, Jr. were the two greatest hitters of their era. Both second generation ballplayers, having famous fathers who had enjoyed their own successful careers, Bonds and Griffey were lifelong acquaintances that had similar career paths, and comparable numbers through their prime.

While their paths to Major League Baseball were similar, their legacies would wind up very different.

While no Giants' fan will ever forget the playoff and World Series run that the team had in 2010, it means nothing in 2011.

Many factors will dictate whether or not the Giants have another successful run in 2011. Some of them had successful runs in 2010, some were just good when it mattered, while others were a bit disappointing. What they all have in common is that they are all important to the Giants and their chances of becoming the first National League team to repeat since the Reds of 1975 and 1976.

Buck Showalter recently criticized Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter on his overly dramatic acts on the baseball field. Apparently he didn't like seeing Jeter pretend to get hit by a pitch.

Showalter, the new Orioles manager who led Baltimore to a winning record during his short stint towards the end of the 2010 season, is just trying to catch the public's eye, and he succeeded. It is obvious that he is showing that he cares about his team, and perhaps he's trying to motivate them, too.  

Money does grow on trees in professional sports. All you have to do is look at contracts that teams dole out every season that make fans scratch their heads and swear at their computers until steam shoots out of their ears.

While researching the teams and their contracts, one thing has become evident. If you sign more than a couple players to bad contracts, the odds are the list will continue to grow. Teams like the Mariners, Dodgers, Rangers, Tigers  and Yankees have been notoriously bad in spending their money. The Yankees can afford it. The Mariners and Rangers can't.

Though the Mets recently released Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez, the organization still is marred with financial difficulties and a string of poor seasons on the field.

While there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel with a new manager and general manager, things aren’t expected to turn around quickly in Flushing.

Mets fans tend to be an impatient group, so the ones who do show up to Citi Field this year will have a short leash when players don’t perform.

What happened?

When spring training started, Mike Minor was almost guaranteed a spot on the Braves' roster.

However, today it was decided that Brandon Beachy would take that position, not Minor.

I find it interesting that he was not given the job, even though he has been lights out during spring training. I gathered the impression that because of his performance so far and the fact that he would be the only southpaw in the rotation he would be granted the job.

Brandon Beachy has reportedly won the fifth spot in the Atlanta Braves rotation for the 2011 season.  

Braves general manager Frank Wren made the announcement Thursday.  

There has been a lot of talk this preseason about who would fill the missing fifth starter slot. Many people thought Mike Minor was the front runner to be picked.  

This spring, there has been plenty of consternation in the Phillies organization and around the Phillies fan nation.

Seemingly everyday a new concern arises, whether it’s Chase Utley’s knee, Dominic Brown’s hand, Placido Polanco’s elbow, etc. Adding Luis Castillo will certainly give depth to the infield, but what about the outfield?

With the news that Toronto has placed pitcher Brandon Morrow on the 15-day DL with right elbow inflammation retroactive to March 22nd, the battle between Jesse Litsch and Jo-Jo Reyes for the fifth spot in the rotation is rendered moot.