Opinion

Forget “As the World Turns.” This is much more important. Much more dramatic.

As we continue to work our way through spring training 2011, we continue to have some interesting player updates that deserve our attention as fantasy baseball aficionados. You can call this “As the Spring Turns.” Or not.

Andrew Bailey, OAK.

He stands at only 5'7", 170 lbs, but don't let his lack of size fool you.

Royals' lefty Tim Collins is one of the more underrated pitchers in the majors and has been an underdog nearly everywhere he has played.

Whether it was at Worcester High or while he played in the Toronto Blue Jays' organization, Collins has always flown under the radar.

He was even overlooked after putting together a 2.02 ERA and fanning 108 batters in just 71 innings while playing for three organizations in 2010.

Ever since last season, there have been rumors of an Albert Pujols for Ryan Howard swap between the Cardinals and the Phillies. Since Albert Pujols did not get a contract extension done with the Cardinals this offseason, St. Louis may want to get something out of their star first basemen, instead of having him walk. The Cardinals want to avoid being "Lebron'd" in other terms. The Phillies would benefit greatly from this trade, gaining the best first basement in baseball, and losing a power-hitting, strike-out machine Ryan Howard.

"These are the saddest of possible words: Tinker to Evers to Chance..."

These are the saddest of possible terms: My lifetime of anguish is done. From the iconic double play trio who last brought a championship to the north side of Chicago, to a triad more familiar to today's lexicon, the Chicago Cubs will torture me no longer.

Jason Bay had a disappointing first season in New York last year, and if the Mets offense is going to be any better this year, they need Bay to have a bounce-back season.

Clearly, Bay is capable of having a big season at the plate. He’s done it in the past with the Pirates and Red Sox numerous times.

I’ve spent a few days in Port St. Lucie this week to watch the Mets play in spring training and I have to admit, it’s troubling to see how badly Bay is struggling right now.

The Boston Red Sox enter the 2011 season with high expectations. 

Buoyed by the Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford signings as well as the return to health of Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and others, optimism regarding the Sox chances to return to a World Series may be at an all-time high.

But what about the pitching staff? 

About a week and a half ago, I wrote how touted Orioles lefty Zach Britton was making an early case to be the fifth starter for the team out of the gate, after completing two scoreless innings in his major league spring training debut.

Well, all he's done since then is add to his case. A four-inning scoreless start this past Saturday brought his total scoreless innings this spring up to nine.

There are 18 first basemen in the Hall of Fame. Lou Gehrig ranks first by a wide margin, but this is not about Lou Gehrig.

One of the more intriguing position battles this spring is the battle for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ first-base job.

On the heels of a recent story in the North Bergen Record by Steve Popper and Bob Klapisch, New York Mets fans are ready to pack it in already.

Let's face it though: Most Mets fans have already packed it in, but there were a few still hanging on.

The article published yesterday cites unnamed members (as usual) of the Mets organization. It claimed that they're ready to shut Johan Santana down completely because he has not been progressing as he continues to rehab his surgically repaired shoulder.