Preview/Prediction

While watching those Spring Training games minutely on a work computer or catching them here and there on the MLB Network, some Red Sox fans may wish the commentary focused more on who these non-roster players are.

Who's that guy pinch running for Jacoby Ellsbury?

He can't possibly get the starting job, so why is he there?

As with my previous article on non-roster invitee infielders, now I offer you a little run down on those young outfielders interloping at Red Sox camp.

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Javier Vazquez struck out 239 batters in 2010, second in the National League. Vazquez actually struck out more batters than the number of grounders he forced, 237.

Javier was the definition of a big-time strikeout pitcher last year, and this takes a lot of pressure off a defense.

The man replacing him in the rotation this year, Tim Hudson, is a notorious ground ball pitcher. Hudson has had four seasons in which he forced 400 or more ground balls, and his season high for strikeouts with the Braves is 141.

I feel like I have a few months to make up for, don’t you?

Sure the hot stove league is a season in itself, but after months of baseball withdrawal, I’m ready to make up for all of it in one month.

That is why I’ve declared March as the Month of Baseball!

For the next four weeks, I’m going to be putting out a series of articles that will downright blow my own mind, so it better at least put you, the reader, in a state of shock. Whether it’s a good shock or a bad one is something I’ll be gambling with.

The AL Central, in my opinion, is a tough division to call.  There are several viable teams that should be fighting for the title come the first week of October.  Let's take a team-by-team look at the offseason moves and forecast how the season will play out.

Chicago White Sox

Spring is when young players show their tools, hoping to fulfill their dream of playing in the Major Leagues.

Every year it seems the Texas Rangers compete for a playoff spot, but at the end they just run out of juice.

Year after year sportswriters everywhere predict big things from the Texas Rangers, but this season you haven't really heard too much of that.

The reason is because they have delivered so much disappointment to those that have picked them in previous seasons.  Despite that, I'm still going to go out on a big limb here and say that the Texas Rangers will go deep into the playoffs this season.

The most important trait Brewers' GM Doug Melvin was looking for this winter in trying to rebuild his pitching staff was durability.

The Brewers were devastated last season due to injury and ineffectiveness by their starters, and Melvin needed to find pitchers he could count on to make every start, while still giving the team a shot to win.

I'm concluding my look at the four AL West bullpens with Texas. Inside are analyses of 13 relievers (there's a lot of competition for relief slots):

Frank Francisco
Neftali Feliz
Darren O'Day
Darren Oliver
C.J. Wilson
Chris Ray
Ben Snyder
Dustin Nippert
Brandon McCarthy
Geoff Geary
Warner Madrigal
Willie Eyre
Clay Rapada

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During the off-season, Sox GM Theo Epstein shaped the 2010 club by trading hitting for pitching and defense. Offensive producers OF Jason Bay and 3B Mike Lowell were subtracted from the lineup and replaced with defensive standouts OF Mike Cameron and 3B Adrian Beltre. The money saved by not re-signing Bay was re-directed to acquiring free agent pitcher John Lackey.

The theory behind the moves was that the ballclub can win as many (or more) games as a result of improved run prevention as it can by maintaining the former level of run production.

Just two seasons ago, the Brewers were loaded with outfielders both on the roster and in their minor league system. They had names like Braun, Cameron, Hart, Gwynn Jr., and Gabe Gross on the roster.

In just two years time, the outfield has seen a major overhaul. Mike Cameron was allowed to leave via free agency this winter, Tony Gwynn Jr. was traded for Jody Gerut, and Gross was dealt as well.