Preview/Prediction

Spring Training is literally a day away, so what better time than now to make some bold predictions about the 2010 season for the Chicago Cubs.

The signing of Matt Holliday by the St. Louis Cardinals made them the overwhelming favorites to win the NL Central and they might be the team to beat in the National League. However, the Cubs made several moves as well, and look to be a better team than they were last season. How much better remains to be seen.

What follows are 10 predictions that I would say fall into the category of bold.

In the bleak mid-winter of February in Chicago, it is hard to imagine that baseball's Opening Day is less than seven weeks from this gray, wintry afternoon on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Such is the case, though, and so, as pitchers and catchers congregate in Arizona to prepare for the upcoming 2010 season, it is time to look at some of the most pressing questions facing the Cubbies this year.

It's been a rather quiet offseason for the Cleveland Indians on a national scale, but that doesn't mean there haven't been rumblings about the Tribe since the end of October.

The hiring of Manny Acta and his coaching staff has energized the fan base in one way or another.

Back in the 1970s, it was the Major League team who developed the best farm system that repeated as division champions year after year.

In 2010, however, it could not be further than the truth.

Free Agency is as intrical to success as trades and retaining your own players.

C.C.

What’s that smell?

Ahhhh, yes. Spring Training is in the air.  Christmas comes early for baseball fans across the country.

15 teams call Florida home for Spring Training.

Charlotte County Sports Park doesn’t have the flashy name of other ballparks, such as "Legends Field."  The Park is simple.  It houses 7,000 seats and sold out everyone of those seats in 2009 Spring Training.

Kevin Kouzmanoff made the jump from the National League to the American League this year going from the San Diego Padres to the Oakland A’s. While he’s not in the most potent offense, he still has the opportunity to be a low-end fantasy starter at third base (click to see 3B rankings ).

The Red Sox front office decided not to give free agent LF Jason Bay a four-year contract due to a suspicion that he might experience a knee or shoulder injury during the life of the contract; yet, in the next breath, the Sox gave RHP John Lackey, who HAS suffered injuries during each of the last two seasons, a five-year deal worth $85 million.

The winter offseason is just about over. We're about to get back to baseball.

For those who haven't had much to watch since the Super Bowl, and aren't into college or pro basketball, you are about to get your baseball season going again.

This past November, the Yankees got back on top of the baseball world by winning the 2009 World Series over the Phillies, the previous champions, in a very competitive series.

We've seen some changes to the roster this past winter. There will be some new faces and even some old faces coming back to the team for the 2010 campaign.

Starting Pitchers

Aaron Harang

Edison Volquez

Aroldis Chapman (my NL Rookie of the Year pick)

Bronson Arroyo

Johnny Cueto/Homer Bailey (until Chapman is ready)

There will always be people who disagree with your opinion, especially when you do not pick their team to make the playoffs. This year and these predictions will be no different, and these are the teams that I truly feel will make the playoffs in 2010.

There are teams that have upgraded and teams that have downgraded, and teams that may be better without making many moves at all. The Rays come to mind when I speak of a team like this, the 2008 wonder team has a great chance to rebound and make the playoffs in 2010 as they did two seasons ago.