Fan News

After weeks of speculation and predictions, the Philadelphia Phillies have officially set their Opening Day roster and determined which players will be charged with making the 2012 season a distant memory and 2013 a return to the postseason.

Three days.

That's all the time that remains between now and opening day for the Toronto Blue Jays.

And with all the wheeling and dealing that was done this past offseason by GM Alex Anthopoulos, the 2013 edition of the Blue Jays barely looks anything like the 2012 team that took the field day-in, day-out.

With significant changes made to the team's starting rotation, starting infield, starting outfield, as well as bullpen, the Jays are almost a brand new team, ready to compete.

What makes a fresh baseball season so beautiful? Maybe it's that moment when you first open the newspaper and see the standings and find every team tied at zero. It's the only time during the season where every team has an equal chance to succeed. Even the Astros, however briefly, take comfort in not yet being mathematically eliminated.

The Oakland A's made a couple of transactions yesterday by claiming a couple of minor league right-handers off waivers, and to make room the A's designated Daric Barton and Travis Blackley for assignment.

What if each of Major League Baseball's awards were given out to every team—who would end 2013 as the Oakland A's Most Valuable Player? Who would be their Cy Young winner? What about Most Improved Player or Comeback Player of the Year?

Whether any player actually wins any award is yet to be seen. Regardless, there's going to be a top hitter and a top pitcher. Someone will rebound. Guys will improve.

Count on it.

Here's an analysis of who could win these awards if they were doled out, one to each team.

The funny thing about baseball’s unwritten rules is that they find themselves written down eventually.

And, just to be sure, I’ll prove it:

Don’t steal a base when leading by six runs in the eighth inning.

Don’t try to break up a no-hitter with a bunt.

Don’t make the first out at home plate.

Don’t walk the leadoff hitter.

Don’t walk the pitcher, no matter where he’s hitting.

Don’t swing at the first pitch if you make an out doing so.

So another spring training is drawing to a close. That means Opening Day is just around the corner, and teams are in a frenzy trying to finalize their 25-man rosters before the March 31 deadline. 

Managers and general managers are reviewing the performances of players who are on the cusp of a minor league assignment and a trip to the big leagues. Finishing touches are being put on before the big show, and there are still a lot of questions to be answered.

There is something to be said about anchoring your fantasy baseball team with players that have already reached their potential.


That said, there is always a new crop, often made up of younger players, that take their game to the next level. Here’s a look at some National League Central fantasy baseball breakout candidates. 

Enjoy the first round of your 2013 fantasy baseball draft. When it's over, you'll still be left with nearly 20 or so positions to fill and a bench to outfit for an entire 162-game season.

As it usually is with fantasy drafts, it's the mid-to-late round hits that really make your team successful in any given sport, or any given season.

Baseball is no different.

Opening Day is always a special event around Major League Baseball. It signals the start of a new season, which means the warmer weather should be right around the corner. And in a season of 162 games over six months, the first one always means a little bit more.

The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros—new division rivals—get the season started with a single game on Sunday night. Monday is when things really get rolling, though. There are 12 games that will likely run from about 1 p.m. until 1 a.m. ET.