Preview/Prediction

Not since the days of Corey Patterson have the Cubs had a clear cut center fielder. This search is finally over, with the Cubs singing 32-year-old Marlon Byrd to a 3-year, $15 million deal.

Provided Jason Bay passes his physical, he will become a Met next week, and he will be their left fielder.

But where will he hit?

The most logical place for him is 5th, with David Wright hitting 3rd and Carlos Beltran hitting 4th, being that, as of right now, Carlos Delgado is not in the Mets picture for 2010.

Another right-handed bat does give David Wright some protection in the lineup. Hopefully Wright's power numbers will improve, but as long as he's productive in driving in runs, to me it doesn't matter how the runs score.

It is time to start looking towards the new MLB season. While many Yankee fans are still relishing in their 27th World Championship glory, it is time to gear up for another exciting season of Yankee baseball.

I decided to do a breakdown of the Yankees current roster. This will give everyone a look at the Yankees lineup and rotation. Without further ado, let's begin!

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Every year, hundreds of rookies touch down in the major leagues for the first time. Each has the same goal: to demonstrate to his team and the fans that he has what it takes to be a baseball star.

Luckily for them, they have a generous margin of error should they not immediately succeed. While the fans might not be patient, managers usually are; most people who matter understand that it takes time to transition to the big show.

Unfortunately, not everyone has this safety net.

The new year is looming around the corner, and with 2010 comes the knowledge that Spring Training will begin in just a couple short months.

It hasn't been a great off-season for Atlanta. Simple as that.

The divisional opponents have gotten stronger. Atlanta has gotten weaker. Sure, we can debate whether Atlanta has made the right moves, but none of it adds up to a stronger team.

Next year, there will be no Vazquez, LaRoche, Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano or Kelly Johnson. There will be Melky Cabrera, Troy Glaus and Billy Wagner. Add all that up and I'd prefer to have those former players, not the latter group.

I had originally meant to begin this series of articles immediately after the New Year, the better to lend them relevance and immediacy. However, in mapping out the process, I felt it urgent enough to begin now.

I plan to provide, for each projected 2010 Cub and for a few key extra players, profiles with predictive and informative value.

On Tuesday, the New York Mets agreed to a four-year contract with free agent outfielder Jason Bay. According to reports, the deal will pay Bay roughly $66 million.

The pact has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters cite Bay's righthanded power, patience and even surprising speed: he has 66 stolen bases in 80 career attempts and has posted at least two triples in every full season of his Major League career.

Mark DeRosa has officially signed with the San Francisco Giants, and Troy Glaus and Joe Thurston both have signed with the Atlanta Braves. 

Needless to say, the St. Louis Cardinals are now left with a hole to fill at third base.

As Matt Holliday's status remains uncertain, GM John Mozeliak has other targets that he has been rumored to be pursuing.

The hottest name linked to the Cardinals appears to be switch-hitting infielder Felipe Lopez.

It is only late December, and already the offseason for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim feels like it's winding down.

Most of the big fish that dominated the post-Word Series headlines have already been caught and what remains is little more than bait for future trade hooks.

Two monsters still lurk the depths, but each appears to be circling one lone lure, searching for another to compare it with.

Matt Holliday and Jason Bay have received sizable offers from the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets respectively, and no team has been reported to match either.