Preview/Prediction

The beauty of sports is the unknown. No matter what the spreads are or who has the better roster on paper, there is still that element of chance that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. 

Some players break out while others stumble, teams fall short of their expectations while others come out of nowhere. Trying to predict what will happen in 2011 is a crapshoot, but making a call and seeing it come to fruition is a thing of beauty. 

The 2011 MLB season is fast approaching and it is time to make some gut calls and bold predictions surrounding the AL East.

As teams prepare to begin the exhibition season, the fans continue to prepare for what the upcoming season may bring from their favorite teams and players.

With plenty of unexpected movement this past offseason, we are guaranteed to experience some more major surprises, as the season is just over one month away from the first pitch.

After all, how many people predicted that the San Francisco Giants would defeat the Texas Rangers in the 2010 Fall Classic? If you did, can you please tell me who you like in 2011?

Normally, a team will have two or three players competing for a position in Spring Training. The Mets, who have had a hole at second base for the past few years, will have as many as six different players competing for the second base job. Each player has his strengths and weaknesses and will have a chance to win the job.

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Though spring training is underway for the 30 MLB teams, general managers will still be pondering potential trades that can either give their team an extra boost or shed some payroll heading into the offseason.

July's MLB trade deadline is months away, but a handful of players already qualify to be on the move before the deadline hits.

The 2012 free agent class will feature some marquee names, many of whom are unlikely to sign with their current teams.

Therefore, these players may be rentals for a late postseason push.

A lot has been stated (and overstated) on the state of the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen.  The Rays lost nearly their entire bullpen in one off-season, and General Manager Andrew Friedman has run out of band-aids trying to patch a 'pen together for the 2011 season.  He's signed a couple of veterans, he's traded for some young arms, but the best and brightest hope to a successful bullpen in 2011 is squarely on the shoulders of someone who was already in-house.

Jake McGee.

One of the most exciting, positive "unknowns" about the 2011 Boston Red Sox is the combined impact Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury will have on the basepaths. 

Speculation has focused on the Sox' newly improved hitting lineup and its strong pitching rotation, but, relatively little attention has been given to just how extraordinary it is for a team to have two of the game's most prolific base stealers on the same side for nine innings.  

Michael Young has told Texas he wants out. He told the press he wants out.

One would think he has earned the right to leave with dignity after Texas told him they wouldn't try to deal him, as they were trying to, and then told him they would deal him, after they had severed negotiations. 

That being said, this isn't the NBA. No player has ultimate power over ownership. Young will stay in Texas, and will play the season out like the consummate professional that he is. 

But why does Texas need him? 

The long wait is finally over. The Texas Rangers will finally be flying a pennant in their ballpark following their first ever American League title.

The Rangers fell short in the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, but that can’t dampen the enthusiasm following their sensational 2010 campaign, and most observers seem to feel they’re bound to be in the 2011 pennant mix as well.

I’m not so sure.

Predicting individual leaders in each statistical category is like picking bull stocks from the NASDAQ—everybody has 20/20 hindsight. 

But before reading all the Warren Buffett spring training predictions, keep in mind how many people really bought stock in Apple or Google 10 years ago.

Likewise, who really thought Jose Bautista would hit 54 HRs last year or that Adrian Beltre would lead the American League with 49 doubles?

As the pitchers and catchers report to their assigned duties and positions, only one thing can be assumed: Spring Training must be just around the corner.  And that assumption would be correct.

But for the Milwaukee Brewers, redemption of an unpleasant 2010 season will be at the top of newly named manager Ron Roenicke's to-do list.

Offseason signings and additions have resulted in serious talks of a postseason appearance for the Brew Crew in 2011.  And with young, prospering talent, who's to say they won't do it?