Spring Trouble, with a capital 'T'
Pitchers and catchers are already at their sun-soaked training camps and the rest of teams' non-battery rosters are arriving in droves. We're a mere week away from the first contest of the spring, so, in true Checkdown-style, I'm breaking down the stories that will see the most coverage during Spring Training.
1. A-Rod steroid fallout
Before he even had a chance to take the field in Tampa, Alex Rodriguez had to sit in front of a microphone and address the media regarding testing positive for the use of a banned substance. There's 48 days until opening day, and just about as many unanswered questions. You can bet the analysts will address all of them before the season commences.
2. Manny's contract negotiations
Although most everyone expects Manny "to be Manny" in Dodger blue again this season, there's no such thing as a foregone conclusion in the mind of Ramirez. The time frame -- and, still, the number of zeroes on his paycheck -- is very much an uncertainty. The only thing that's for certain in this scenario is media circus that follows it.
3. The Yankees' signees
Always home to big bats, the Bronx Bombers added switch-hitting weapon Mark Teixeira this off-season. They also attempted to correct their 2008 pitching struggles by throwing bags of money at aces CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Will these three take the Yanks back to the Series, or will they continue to struggle in the AL East? The real shame in all of this is that we'll no longer get to see Sabathia at the plate... yet another reason to do away with the DH.
4. World Baseball Classic
I know this is not technically a part of Spring Training, but it pulls players away from their teams for a few weeks in March. Plus it gives us a chance to get a better look at some of the younger players in the league, as they fill in for those representing their country in the WBC. I'm a big fan of the Classic and I really hope is starts to gain some traction as a major sports event during its second go-around.
5. The Mets' bullpen
The 2008 Mets' season can be summed up in two words: late collapse. Not only did they blow another division title in the final week of the season, their bullpen had a tendency to blow-up late in games. The Mets hope to cure both these ills with the addition of two closers, Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez and J.J. Putz. Watch for analysts predictions on whether the Mets will be able to hang with the defending World Champion Phillies and the re-tooled Braves (see "Extra Point" below).
6. Are the Rays for real... again?
Nobody saw them coming last year, which means everybody is going to be watching them this year. The defending AL Champs were the epitome of a "rags-to-riches" story last year. All eyes will be on rookie pitcher David Price and the rest of the Rays' young guns to see if they can repeat last season's success, or if they'll do their Navin R. Johnson impression... and become a "rags-to-riches-to-rags" story.
Extra-point: Atlanta's rotation shuffle
First they chased Jake Peavy, then courted A.J. Burnett and finally settled for Derek Lowe. And somewhere during all of this hubbub, the Braves lost John Smoltz to Boston, traded for Javier Vazquez and signed Japanese ace Kenshin Kawakami. Tim Hudson is slated to miss most of '09 following elbow surgery, which leaves Jair Jurrjens and a newly-resigned Tom Glavine to fill out the rotation. After a rollercoaster of an off-season, the Braves staff is hoping for more highs than lows in 2009, as they attempt to compete in the NL East.
Which stories will you be following this spring? Which will you be ignoring? Comment below.
