Opinion

The San Francisco Giants have had a "back to business" mentality during this year's spring training.  The team has put last year's success behind them, and they are all ready to assume the task of defending their title of World Series Champions. 

Here are three reasons why the Giants will once again with the National League West.  

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It's no secret that fans get excited by the sight of new uniforms. They love new jerseys, and why wouldn't they? They're new, they're fresh, they're vibrant and they're fun.

Some changes are minor. Some changes are major. But the best part about new uniforms is that they bring instant success.

Disclaimer: Results may vary.

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"Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I’ll win a pennant every year"

-Sparky Anderson

A contract year seems to always bring out the best in players. From being a good teammate inside the clubhouse to playing well on the field, nothing seems to motivate, and focus, players like a contract year. 

Nowadays, with massive amounts of money on the line, and with teams willing to pay big bucks for a player with only a season or two of proven success, players on their contract year have a lot on the line.

Same story, different day. I swear, this sounds like a familiar plotline. A corpulent, Hispanic starting pitcher takes the mound for the Cubs, gives up multiple moonshots in his first inning of work, calls out a corner infielder for making some negligible error, and a "scuffle" breaks out in the Cubs dugout.

Lately, while scouring the Internet for any new Mets talk, I have been seeing a lot of discussion about the future of Jose Reyes with the team.  A lot of people are talking about what Reyes could be traded for or possible replacements for him next season, and they seem resigned (or in some cases even receptive) to the idea that next year, a new player will man shortstop.  

The decision about who will comprise the back of the rotation just got a little easier for Kirk Gibson.  One of the three players vying for the fourth and fifth spots the rotation, Zach Duke, was injured on Saturday after taking a line drive off his pitching hand.  He suffered two broken bones in the hand and will be out six to eight weeks.

The modern media have supported the notion that the greatest rivalry in sports' history is between the New York Yankees and the beloved Boston Red Sox.

With the Grapefruit League in full swing now, there is plenty of news and notes making it's way out of Philadelphia Phillies' camp, and it isn't all bad (though, most of it is, so don't say I didn't warn you.)

Be it injuries or hot starts, spring training always seems to have its fair share of surprises for the Phils.

This past Sunday, I found myself transported from the rains and dreary snows of late winter to the cloudless skies of Arizona—temperatures blazing in the mid-80s. For a moment, the bracket announcements of March Madness were put on hold as I had the opportunity to see the Cactus League in live action at last. The distinction was difficult to make; was it March or midsummer?

The grocery list of Phillies' player injuries has just grown a bit longer.  It began with Chase Utley's bum knee, moved on to a broken hand bone for Domonic Brown, a sore neck for Ben Francisco and now, Brad Lidge has joined the party.