Winter is not a good time for baseball fans.

With nothing to hold our attention but the inferior sports of basketball and football, we are forced to spend our days waiting for pots to boil on the Hot Stove.

As the rumor mill grinds away, many (if not most) of the major market developments are somewhat predictable.

Last year, I pegged the Central division in the American League as one of the better divisions in baseball, because I thought they were the deep.

How things have changed after just one year.

You’d be hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t think the AL Central won’t be a wide open free-for-all. It’s a division that three teams could realistically win the division or be as bad as fourth place.

The San Francisco Giants competition for pitching roster positions is heading down to the wire as the 2010 season opener approaches. 

With Opening Day only six days away, I thought it would be appropriate to see what the record books have to say about the Cincinnati Reds on the first game of the year. At the present time, adequate records only take us back to 1952.

This game will be against the St. Louis Cardinals against whom the Reds are 8-7.

Since 1952 the Reds are 30-27-1 in their opening game. The lone tie was a 3-3 game against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2000.

A lot has been said about the Reds and their "young" talent.  While there are many prospects in the organization with untapped potential, there are also veterans with a wealth of knowledge and experience.  If the regulars can stay relatively healthy, the infield is one area that Dusty Baker should not have to worry about much this season.

Country singer Mindy McCready is back in the news. The 34-year-old country star starred in a sex tape that is about to hit the internet. But it isn't the sex tape itself that is truly making news, it is McCready's accusation of former All-Star pitcher Roger Clemens which is making waves.

McCready partner on the tape is an ex-boyfriend named "Peter", but along with the vivid action of the tape are random details about her relationship with The Rocket. If you remember, McCready's name originally popped up during the height of Clemens' steroid scandal.

All over the country, Opening Day is a time for hope, optimism, and making predictions.

Unfortunately, assigning auguries for an all-but-doomed team like the Cleveland Indians can be depressing.

The Indians essentially waved the white flag on 2010 with the trades of Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez last July. This a rebuilding year, which is code for "we're not even really going to try."

Luckily, we have more to worry about than just our numbers of wins and losses.

Every year it's the same old story. "Insert name here" can't find a team willing to meet the demands of the player who was once a star.

This year, it's Jermaine Dye that is among those still without a team.

Look, sometimes these guys need to understand that they are not the players they once were. Sometimes they need to accept a minor league contract or far less money than they were making in the past.

While everyone is talking about Jake Peavy, Gordon Beckham and "The Outfield Situation," the Chicago White Sox No. 3 pitcher Gavin Floyd is seemingly skirting around the media radar.

Perhaps the most intriguing piece of what could potentially be a terrific White Sox team this year, Floyd is poised to build upon his resume and thrust himself into the upper echelon of pitchers this season.

A few of you by now are probably thinking, "You have got to be kidding me! He had a 4.06 ERA last season and was a measly 11-11!" But hear me out.

This slideshow includes my predictions for the division standings, wild card berths, playoff predictions(including how many games), and who I think will win the World Series. It also includes who I think will win all the major baseball awards such as MVP and Cy Young. Feel free to comment on what you think.

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