Preview/Prediction

Pitchers and catchers reporting tomorrow down in Orlando (or "Dark Star" as Dave O'Brien of the AJC has so cleverly coined it)  has a welcoming ring to it.

Every trade, every signing, every prospect, and every rumor has been dissected and bantered about throughout this hot stove season to the point where the only thing really left to do is the most important of all: play ball.

Baseball is almost back in full bloom for the Boston Red Sox, as their pitchers and catchers report to spring training. The franchise made several big moves in the offseason in order to make up for their early exit in this year's post season.

One of their biggest acquisitions will arrive with the pitchers and catchers, that is John Lackey.

John Lackey was probably the biggest free agent pitcher out on the market, this offseason. The rival Yankees made an attempt to sign the pitcher, but the Evil Empire fell short.

Take a glance at the statistics, and it would be easy to say Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ is primed for a disappointing 2010.

Not many expected the 26-year-old rookie to go 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA while dominating the opposition on numerous occasions, but he did just that. 

Not many expected him to have a chance to be named Rookie of the Year, but he did. (He eventually lost out to Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan.)

Four words. 

Well, technically three words and a conjunction. In any case, they are four rather unexceptional words that, when used individually, could be understood in many different contexts. When used together, they form one of the most beautiful phrases in the English language:

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT

A year after the Rays inspired hope that the Yankees and Red Sox' stranglehold on the AL East was over, order was seemingly restored to the baseball universe as the Bombers won it all, the BoSox won the wild card again, the Rays had an up and down year, and the O's and Jays bottom-fed.

With the exception of Tampa, all the teams in this division enter 2010 looking noticeably different, with several note-worthy players joining and leaving the division.

The ever-intense Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, exciting young players in Baltimore and Toronto, and the Rays' quest for redemption should make for a

This Article Was Originally Published at GetOutofMyBallpark.com

With pitchers and catchers reporting TOMORROW (as well as many of the guys already in camp), it's time that we take stock of what has happened to the Red Sox in the past few months and accept some realities.

Jason Bay is gone. He's a Met now. The Sox let go of a guy who hit 36 home runs and had 119 RBI and replaced him with Mike Cameron.

The Yankees' pitchers and catchers officially reported to Tampa, Florida today to begin spring training. The Mets will begin camp tomorrow when pitchers and catchers report in Port St. Lucie.

The Yankees come in to spring training as the defending World Series champions. As they look to repeat, some changes have been made this offseason. Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and Melky Cabrera are out. Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson are in. And Javier Vasquez is back.

The Braves are reporting to Spring Camp on Friday, and after an off-season full of moves, hopes are high heading into the 2010 season.

With a strong starting rotation, and a revamped offense and bullpen, the Braves think that 2010 will be the year that they return to the post-season.

Here are 5 Bold Predictions for the Braves in 2010, 5 things that might have a slim chance of occurring, but would be fantastic for the Braves organization.

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This offseason the Minnesota Twins were not only beleaguered with the task of making several key roster moves in hopes of finding the right fit for the 2010 season, but with another critical move for their franchise as well—to outdoor baseball. In Minnesota, and even around the MLB community, the  exhilaration and restlessness for opening day is like never before. 

But have the Twins stepped up to the task and made the right key moves to ensure that their opening season won't be washed into the Mississippi Rivers?