Preview/Prediction

Everth Cabrera has the makings of an elite base stealer.

Not only did he have 25 stolen bases in 103 games last year (which projects to 39 in a full season), but he had 73 for Single-A Asheville in 2008. 

The problem is: you’re getting zero power from him.

Southpaw Jon Lester has evolved into the ace of the Boston Red Sox pitching staff. 

Two winters ago, there were many fans who urged the Sox to trade a package of players including Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury to Minnesota in exchange for then-Twins lefty Johan Santana. Potential, they argued, was not as valuable as production. Many of us pleaded with Red Sox GM Theo Epstein from afar to hold onto Lester in the belief he would develop into an ace. 

The 2009 season didn't go exactly like the White Sox planned. After winning the AL Central in 2008, the Sox won just enough games to stay in the race in the first half.

Few teams in Major League baseball enter Spring Training dealing with both sky-high expectations and lingering scrutiny . But after an off-season makeover eschewing thump for pitching and defense, the Boston Red Sox begin their quest to return to the top of the Major League mountain with plenty of uncertainty. Do they have enough to overtake the Yankees?

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The AL West is an interesting division this year.

There are four good and well-run teams. The longtime division power (LA) seems to be on the decline, while the other three teams (Texas, Oakland, and Seattle) seem to be rising.

I'll be doing a series of predictions about the division, but the first one up is team records, from fourth to first.

I project the division to be EXTREMELY tight, and the tiniest of changes can certainly skew things.

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Aroldis Chapman: the savior, the next best thing, or the next Randy Johnson. All things might be true, but it has to start somewhere.

The Reds' prized new acquisition threw a bullpen session for about two hours on Thursday, and to people who witnessed it, said that he threw well and felt well after.

Chapman, who was just recently signed a six year contract worth over $30 million, has been speculated to be one of the best new pitchers in the game, and the Reds are hoping they hit a jackpot. 

As the sun rose this morning, a new feeling came over the city of Sunrise, Ariz.

A feeling, an excitement, was in the air that hadn't been there in quite some time.

Today was the day that baseball returned to the spring training facilities all over the state of Arizona.

For the Texas Rangers that feeling was one of possibility. A feeling that they could possibly be the team to beat in the AL West after so many years of watching the Angels run away from everyone else.

In 2009, the Rangers hung in the race longer than anyone expected them to.

He is the longest-tenured player on the Boston Red Sox roster. His knuckle-balls have fluttered in the Boston breeze for over a decade. He is only 17 wins shy of tying the franchise's all-time win record.

However, entering spring training, Tim Wakefield's place within the Red Sox pitching staff is still unknown. 

The roster of the Atlanta Braves has changed drastically from the start of the 2009 season. Key changes at numerous positions will likely decide whether the Braves make their first playoff appearance since 2005. 

2009 Players to 2010 Players (Changes in Bold): 

Like Babe Ruth calling his shot, so do I now set forth ten bold predictions for which the Internet will forever hold me accountable.

Actually, there's very little similarity there, but so much of the Babe's appeal is in his name. Hopefully, I can similarly mask the actual substance of my predictions in a cloud of stylish hyperbole.

This is that time of year nearly all baseball fans can enjoy. The first pitch yet to be delivered, the first out yet to be recorded, each fan can boast of future victories and records, however possible or impossible.

The Spring breathes life into us.