Opinion

The Toronto Blue Jays were the league leaders in home runs in 2010, and it looks like they are starting to re-establish that trend in Spring Training.  Jose Bautista and Adam Lind hit their first home runs of spring against the New York Yankees on Friday, which helped power them to a 10-3 victory.

They joined Edwin Encarnacion and Eric Thames as Jays that have already hit one home run each, while Brett Lawrie and Rajai Davis have both hit two so far.

Throughout the process of Spring Training, I intend to bring you a weekly update on the progress of key Atlanta Braves' players and of the team as a whole.  As we all know, Spring Training is a situation in flux, so the status quo changes every day, much less every week.  So, in an attempt to better inform the reader and the fan, I'll be bringing you week by week updates on the progress of players, coaches thoughts and more!  So, stay tuned and you might just learn something.

The NFL took a firm shake of the magic eight ball on Friday and gave just about every waiting fan a valid answer after tossing it aside: There will be no season in 2011.

What a shock, what a surprise.  

Not really.

We expected it to happen, that picture was painted long ago.  From the undetermined outcome of last week, to the past 24 hours of humming and haring, an answer was coming, one way or another.

While I was watching today's spring training game, between the New York Mets and Florida Marlins, there were two things that jumped out at me. First, is the fact that the Marlins will have some very long days in the field this year—as they have in past years.

It's been a horrific spring training so far for Daisuke (Dice-K) Matsuzaka. 

He's pitched just one clean inning in nine chances this spring. Matsuzaka was hit hard again on Thursday by the Florida Marlins, giving up five hits, five earned runs and two walks in 3.2 innings. 

In his three spring training starts, he's allowed 11 earned runs on 12 hits, five base on balls and three home runs in 8.2 innings. 

Trouble at the Top?

Spring training is spring training.  A time for fans to slather on the sun screen, throw a towel down on the outfield lawn, and try to suck down a cold beverage before it becomes a lukewarm cup of swill.

The start of the 2011 MLB season is fast approaching, but instead of a loaded roster, the Yankees have some glaring weaknesses, especially in the pitching rotation.

Andy Pettitte has retired, which is a major blow to the pitching rotation. He was consistent in the regular season, and won more playoff games than any other pitcher in history.

Starting pitcher A.J. Burnett had a horrid 2010 season, and Javier Vasquez is now with the Florida Marlins.

Tommy John’s hopes of a bust in Cooperstown have long since died. In 2009, the BBWAA unceremoniously snuffed out his candle and sent him into MLB Purgatory with only 31 percent of the ballots. If the Veterans’ Committee does not act upon him within 15 years, he will be resigned to MLB Hell.

It is a shame too, because John is one of baseball’s nice guys. Hell, he even has a medical procedure named after him, shouldn’t that count for something?

Just a day after the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a contract extension with the manager that has led them to four consecutive National League East pennants, the team has agreed in principle to sign its general manager, Ruben Amaro Jr., to a contract extension.

In almost all instances, preseason baseball predictions need to be taken with a grain of salt.

This is especially true in examining, and trying to figure out who is going to be playing in the Fall Classic when it's all said and done. Case in point–the Giants were on very few lists to win the trophy last March.