So, how was your cool, damp Friday night?

Good?

Mine was better.

After six stifling hours of class, subsisting on cheap sushi and stuff you get out of the vending machine, my friend Brent and I headed to the New Yankee Stadium to catch the exhibition Cubs-Yankees game.

2009 has the potential to be a big season, the last season at the Metrodome with a chance to give it a proper send out by being able to celebrate on the field.

It was a long and slow off season for the Twins. There were many rumors of trades and free agent signings then came and went. I believe their patience payed off as they eventually signed their man in Joe Crede.

After more than a month of competitions and some unfortunate injuries, the Minnesota Twins have a final answer, to all of their roster questions.

By optioning infielder Matt Tolbert to triple-A Rochester on Friday night, the Twins have set their roster, one day shy of the conclusion of spring training.

When the Twins take the field on Monday, here is who'll be in attendance wearing the white pinstripes (hoping Morneau will be fine):

Ichiro Suzuki (SEA, OF)

Ichiro has been placed on the DL for fatigue and a bleeding ulcer. Ouch.

Travis Hafner (CLE, DH)

Pronk has finally found his pop. With zero home runs in his first 41 spring at-bats, he has hit two long balls in his last three games.

Andre Ethier (LAD, OF)

Ethier went yard and added a triple on Thursday. Big things expected from Andre this year.

Mark Teahen (KC, OF/2B)

Five under-the-radar teams/performers that should enjoy breakout levels of success in ’09.

As the 2009 Major League Baseball season rapidly approaches and the second edition of the WBC fades into the rear-view mirror, it’s hard not to look across the league as a whole and notice a distinct alteration from, say, 2004 in regards to the depth and over-arching philosophy guiding the overseers of many low-profile organizations.

Whenever I'm feeling particularly agitated, I turn to the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Why you ask?  Because, as a die-hard San Francisco Giants' fan, I can spew venom all over the Bums and do so haphazardly with little or no repercussions.

That's the beauty of being in a blood-rivalry.

As long as I stay away from really crossing the line in a personal manner, especially with regards to Dodger fans, I feel confident that all will be forgiven if I'm wrong.

In the current economic slump, only the New York Yankees seem to be unfazed by it. A very cavalier off season for the Yankees saw them heap nine-figure contracts upon Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia. Throw in another 80+ million dollars for A.J. Burnett, plus the bloated contracts of Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, and the Yankees, again, will wear the crown for largest payroll in Major League Baseball.

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Let's just clear the air. I have NO issue with Daisuke Matsuzaka. I've been a member of Bleacher Report for a year, and it has been a very enjoyable experience. Whenever I hear someone say a player is overrated, at least one commenter says, "you're just a hater", and if a writer says a certain player is underrated, one commenter - at least - says, "you're just a homer." Let me get this straight to you - I have no problem with Daisuke Matsuzaka. He's a great pitcher. That shows in his 18-3 record and 2.90 ERA in 2008.