This is truly my favorite time of the year. Maybe not my favorite week that I have ever had, but the words Pitchers and Catchers makes everything a little better.

So here is my spring preview and teams to watch.

Will the Ray's be able to repeat the success that they had last year.  I have been saying for a long time that the Rays were going to be a tough team once they aged a bit.

Now who is the young team to watch this year? I do not think that there is just one. So here is my list, Giants, Nationals, Pirates and Rangers. I would throw the Royals into not far behind. I think they are still a bit of a mess without direction. Out of my list I think the Giants have the best shot of making the playoffs. A move here and move there and the Giants could a real threat to the Cubs.

Giants-Start with the rotation and go from there. Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez, Barry Zito and Randy Johnson. That is nasty in any book. I love the grit of Aaron Rowand and Randy Winn. Renteria was bad signing. He is over the hill. The rest of the lineup is unproven. If they can just score some runs this team could come from nowhere to actually make the playoffs. My advice, sign Joe Crede to a one-year deal and give Manny a three-year deal. That my friends would be a World Series contender. Add in Buster Posey as an end of the year call up and that is a nasty team.

Nationals-I know that they are a year or two away from really being dangerous, but with the signing of Adam Dunn, the weak lineup of last year may have just found the cog to take it to the next level. With Lastings Milleage, Elijah Dukes, and Josh Willingham patrolling the outfield they have talent.  Ryan Zimmerman I predict will rebound and if they can get enough out of SS and 2B they may actually have a decent offense. Throw in Willie Harris and Austin Kearnes and they may be onto something. They currently and most likely will be the youngest team in baseball again. What will hinder the team is the pitching staff, which looks more like the pitchers from Major League than a real MLB pitching staff. Scott Olsen may be the only bright spot.

Pirates-I have to put them on this list as I really do think they will be better. With Nate McLouth leading the way the outfield could be very fun to watch. I am personally pulling for Andrew McCutchen to make this team out of Spring Training. This would leave him McCutchen in CF, Nate in LF and former Boston Red Sox prospect Brandon Moss in RF. Moss has a chance to be very good given the short porch in Pittsburgh. Nyjer Morgan a fan favorite and former hockey player has a chance to do some things as well. We shall see if he starts the season as the everyday LF with McLouth in CF and McCutchen in Triple A.  The infield is a toss up with the LaRoche brothers possibly being a difference maker. Jack Wilson is steady and Freddy Sanchez if healthy could really push this team to another level. The bullpen is sound. The biggest concern and will determine if this team has any shot to win is the starting rotation.  Who will show up no one knows. Here is what is projected.


1. Paul Maholm

2. Ian Snell

3. Tom Gorzelanny

4. Zach Duke

5. Ross Ohlendorf


Rangers-My sleeper for break out team of the year. If all of the talent comes through the minor league and the emphasis that is being placed on defense pays off with Elvis Andrus at SS, Michael Young at 3B and Ian Kinsler at 2B the Rangers have the makings of a very nice infield.  Chris Davis has the ability to be a stud. I am not sure where former stud Hank Blalock figures into this equation especially with Justin Smoak coming soon as well. My guess is Blalock is gone by the end of spring. Throw in the nasty Josh Hamilton and this offense looks great. The rotation is so so but help is on the way. You can see below that as it stands now, some major holes exist.

1. K. Millwood

2. V. Padilla

3. S. Feldman

4. M. Harrison

5. B. McCarthy

6. J. Jennings

Baseball America recently just ranked the Rangers as having the best farm system in baseball, so look out for the following studs: Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland, Martin Perez, Engel Beltre, Taylor Teagarden. 


General Thoughts

•    The Red Sox in my opinion go into Spring Training with tremendous depth. Maybe the best in baseball. 
•    The Yankees are in a whole lot of hot water with the AROID mess. Still they have a great team.
•    Rookie of the Year will go to Colby Rasmus and Elvis Andrus.
•    Player who will take it to another level as a leader and player goes to Ryan Doumit of the Pirates. Runner   up Adam Jones from the Orioles.
•    Breakout season for a pitcher goes to Joba Chamberlain.
•    The economy will hurt things more than people think. So look out for major drops in attendance. Especially in the rust belt.

Three great albums I am listening to right now.

•    Kanye West-808’s and Heartbreak
•    Bruce Springsteen-Greetings from Asbury Park
•    Lincoln Park-Hybrid Theory