Three Reasons the 2009 MLB Season Will Be One to Remember

The 2009 MLB baseball season just started, with the Atlanta Braves playing the defending champion Phillies as we speak.

On Monday, some games to watch include the AL East showdown between my Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas plays the new-look Indians, and of course, the match-up which includes a storied rivalry, the Dodgers against the Giants.

Many changes took place during the offseason. As you know, the Yankees transformed themselves into contenders overnight, acquiring big bat Mark Teixeira, southpaw C.C Sabathia, pitcher A.J. Burnett, and Nick Swisher.

The Indians made themselves one of the favorites to win what looks like a mysterious AL Central, by acquiring Mark DeRosa, rejuvenated (they hope) Carl Pavano, and closer Kerry Wood. And that's only summarizing it.

The Mets strengthened their bullpen, by adding superstar closers such as Francisco Rodriguez, and J.J. Putz. The Braves made a low-risk, high-reward type move by signing a quality arm in Derek Lowe.

The Red Sox made some similar moves, one being the signing of Takashi Saito, a signing that boosts their already fantastic pitching staff.

The list could go on and on. And not only the list for free agent signings, but trades, and maybe the most important, young players making their debuts (or moving up for their first full season).

With transformed teams, exciting new players, and the usual hype coming into the start of the season, the 2009 MLB season looks like it will be one to remember. Here are three reasons why.

3. Many Division Races Look To Be Close: As I said above, many ball clubs have transformed their teams to become playoff and even championship contenders. Some divisions look to be very hard to predict, including the AL East, AL Central, and NL East. You could even say that some will come down to the final game.

I mean, how can pick a winner in the AL East when the three teams that are contenders to come out are the Tampa Rays, the New York Yankees, and the Boston Red Sox? How can you pick a winner of the AL Central when the three teams...and possibly four if you really stretch it (Royals)...that are looking to win it are the Twins, the Tigers, and Indians?

And what about the NL East, a division that includes the Mets, Phillies, Braves, and Marlins?

A league with a multiple number of teams that have the potential to be champions is exciting for any fan, even the ones that don't have an above-average team to root for.

2. The Potential World Series Match-Up Between the Mets and Yankees

The Yankees and Mets are two of the teams that made a big bang this offseason. Now, they look to be competitors for the World Series title, and I'm not surprised. The Mets only weakness last year was their horrendous bullpen. Now, they've acquired two All-Star closers (J.J. Putz and K-Rod).

The Yankees had weaknesses including the starting pitching, and the lack of big bats in the line-up. They certainly improved their starting pitching, signing both C.C Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, and they also gave their line-up a hitting machine in Mark Teixeira.

Any chance of a Subway Series excites the New York fans. And this year, unlike others, there is a much better chance of this happening.

1. Last Year's Rays Are An Inspiration to Many... Including the Royals

Last year, as you all know, the Tampa Bay Rays became the surprise team in the MLB. After many years of losing, they changed their attitude and made it a priority to win.

Behind rookie Evan Longoria, big bat Carlos Pena, and All-Star pitcher Scott Kazmir, the Rays went on to with the American League, but disappointingly lost the World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies.

A hot topic this offseason has been "Who will be this year's Rays?" A tough question to answer, but I believe there is only one team that can fit that "description." That team is the Kansas City Royals.

With Zack Greinke and Joakim Soria looking to lead their pitching staff, and a new-look outfield (Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, Mark Teahen), the Royals seem to be a team that can either go back to its old losing ways, or come out looking like a team that wants to win.

They have the talent, and if they have the determination and hunger the Rays had, they could very well be a team to fear in the AL Central.

Well, the 2009 season sure looks to be an exciting one. And if those possibilities came true, it would definitely be one to remember.