Preview/Prediction

The Oakland Athletics are coming off their best season since their 2006 ALCS run.

81-81 is by no means a sweeping success, but considering the injury problems, regrettable trades (NL MVP candidate Carlos Gonzalez for, essentially, Michael Taylor) and bust free agent signings, a .500 campaign and second-place finish was overall positive for Bob Geren's boys.

In 2010, the Philadelphia Phillies held off the Atlanta Braves to capture the NL East crown for the fourth straight year.  With the addition of Cliff Lee, everyone has already proclaimed them 2011 NL East champs.

But in the words of Lee Corso: "Not so fast my friend."

The 2011 Atlanta Braves are much improved as well, and should not be disregarded so fast.  The 2010 Wild Card showed the young Braves how to win, and 2011 should be another step forward to winning the division.

According to the Daily News, Brian Cashman has said Andy Pettitte will not be playing at the start of the 2011 season. I've been trying to give Andy the benefit of the doubt, but he's start to remind me of Brett Favre. 

I know how hard it is to walk away from a sport, I had to do it in college, so I can hardly fathom how it is for someone who has played more than 30 years. 

It's been hard to read or hear anything about the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason without the words "Cliff Lee" or "four aces" or something of the sort attached to it. Oops, it looks like this isn't helping.

After 18 years in the major leagues, all-times saves leader Trevor Hoffman has decided to retire from baseball with 601 saves.  Long-time New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera is 2nd all-time with 559 saves.  With Hoffman retiring and Rivera re-signing with the Yankees for two more years, is it possible that "The Sandman" will be able to surpass Hoffman and be the all-time saves leader?

“We’re looking for starting pitching, we’re looking for left-handed relief and fourth and fifth outfielder possibilities—I’d say in that order of priority,” said New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson in an interview with ESPN’s Adam Rubin.

The 2011 MLB Draft is less than five months away. 

Football season is over, and for those players committed to both sports (Bubba Starling and Archie Bradley), the primary focus is back on to baseball, where a more financially secure and immediate future awaits them.

I've done up a few mock drafts over the past few months:

MLB Mock Draft 1.0

Jon Lester is a name known throughout Major League Baseball as much for his battle with cancer as his pitching ability.

Lester had solid 2008 and 2009 seasons for the Red Sox before a serious coming out party in 2010. With a 19-9 record and a 3.25 ERA, Lester attended his first All Star Game and finished fourth in Cy Young voting.

All signs point to Lester, 27, continuing to improve in 2011. With a revamped roster and loftier expectations he is due for a stellar season.

The Minnesota Twins are coming off a banner season.

They won their sixth American League Central title since 2002, opened Target Field, which ESPN named the "best fan experience in all of sports," and set an attendance record of over three million fans.

So what will define 2011 for Minnesota Twins fans?

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With the offseason wrapping up and Spring Training just around the corner, most of the significant offseason moves have already been made, as teams look now to make minor moves to help fill out their roster and provide some depth.

However, as the season grows near and even into the first few months of the season, there could be a number of big names suddenly available on the trade market as teams look to make the most of up coming free agents and rebuilding team hope to strengthen their rosters.