Preview/Prediction

Ever since Travis Hafner's power was sapped after the 2007 season, his contract has become more and more of a burden for the Cleveland Indians. $13 million for the 2004-2007 Hafner, who averaged 32 HR with a .410 OBP, a 156 OPS+, and a 4.5 WAR, isn't bad. $13 million for the 2008-2010 Hafner, who averaged only 11 HR with a .353 OBP, a 114 OPS+, and a 1.0 WAR, is horrible. The Indians cannot begin to be able to pay Hafner's salary for his current level of production.

Despite all the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming season for Milwaukee Brewer fans, there is still a sense of impending doom.

With the additions of Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum to the rotation, the Brewers have positioned themselves as a legitimate threat for the NL Central crown.

However, the 2011 season will also serve as Prince Fielder's last with the team.

With the recent passing of Duke Snider, I started to wonder if our generation has an equivalent to the triumvirate of May, Mantle and Snider in the 1950s. 

Granted, no city has three teams any more, but are there three outfielders playing today that are/will be considered all-time greats that are great on defense, at the plate and/or have great speed like Willie, Mickey and The Duke?

The New York Mets are 10 days in to spring training, so now's a good time to take a look at position battles and roster predictions.

While Chris Young and Scott Hairston have seen their respective stocks rising over the last week, the second base competition is still as unclear as when camp began. Add to that more uncertainty over how the bullpen will be comprised and there are still lots of questions to answer ahead of the first round of cuts.

Looking at the Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation is something everyone will be doing all season. Why?

Because they could be the best starting rotation ever assembled.

What makes one say that?

Well let's take a look at each one.

Roy Halladay: good old No. 34 happens to be turning 34 years old this May, yet is still ranked as the No. 1 starting pitcher in all Major League Baseball.

American League

East

Boston Red Sox (96-66) - Good team that got better; great pitching depth should make them top team in the AL.

New York Yankees (93-69)* - Certainly good and experienced enough to win now; need another starter or two.

Tampa Bay Rays (86-76) -  Lost far too many key pieces to be a factor once again in such a tough division.

Logline:  Overrated SS Juan Uribe looks for stardom by signing to play with the Los Angeles Dodgers only to find not only did he leave his heart in San Francisco, he also left his chances at victory.

The American League West is not likely to produce the AL World Series representative this year, but it should be a much closer division than it was last year.

Fourth place: Seattle Mariners

Let’s start off with the obvious choice: the Seattle Mariners finishing another year in the cellar.

Get excited, folks. MLB 11: The Show is due out for PS3 on Tuesday, more or less making it official that the 2011 baseball season is just around the corner.

As I'm sure most self-respecting gamers are well aware, MLB 10: The Show was a huge hit with both critics and fans. It scored a 91 percent on Metacritic and millions of copies of the game were sold. Sony made some pretty awesome additions to last year's game, and this year's edition boasts even more.

The countdown has begun, and it is only 26 days to Opening Day.  

Every year, new players filter in and out of the league as they look to make a name for themselves in the majors.  

However, these particular players won't take long to cement their spot on their teams as we look at the top 5 rookies who will make an immediate impact for their team in 2011.

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