2011 MLB Spring Training

As 2011 Spring Training games get underway, we will see many position battles take place in the next month which will determine which players will fill out Opening Day lineups. Although a great deal of activity and injuries can take place in the next few weeks, which will ultimately determine who starts versus who is benched or sent to the minor leagues for more development, this is a slideshow of each Major League team's optimal batting lineup as well as the position each start will likely field.  

Before anybody goes crazy, curses out Joe Girardi or stops watching Yankee games, let me just remind everyone that this is the Grapefruit League.

And thank God it is, because Colon's start means absolutely nothing today.

In today's spring training opener, manager Joe Girardi has decided to allow the newly-signed reclamation project to start.

Does it mean something that he is getting the first opportunity to prove himself worthy for one of the final two rotation spots?

Yesterday, the very first MLB spring training game took place. It was a Cactus League matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the defending world champion San Francisco Giants.

The Giants won the game by a score of 7-6, and with that, it is now officially baseball season.

As the A's get ready to officially begin the 2011 season on Sunday, a few questions still circulate around this club, but the optimism remains high. With a fresh season and healed players, the A's are starting to take the shape of a complete ball club, but as it goes for all teams, spring training is in place for a reason.

Spring training is upon us. The Red Sox have been busy this offseason. The Yankees, on the other hand, were uncharacteristically quiet. How could the New York Yankees make noise this offseason with a payroll of over 200 million dollars? Yes, even the "Evil Empire of New York" has limitations on how much they can spend.

This article will break down the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry as it stands today and forecast what the 2011 season may hold for each team and/or their players.

It may be just a spring training exhibition match, but the opening game of the season could set the tone for the entire year. 

If you're a Yankees fan, then you know who Ivan Nova is.

If you're not a Yankees fan, then here's a little background information on the man who will likely assume the No. 5 spot in the rotation for the 2011 season.

Nova, 24, is listed at 6'4" and 210 pounds. The big right-hander was born on January 12, 1987 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

In a process facilitated by MLB, medical specialists have evaluated Miguel Cabrera and recommended an outpatient rehabilitation program to deal with his alcohol related issues which re-emergered following his arrest last week for a DUI. 

Cabrera was also charged with two misdemeanor resisting arrest charges without violence.

Usually, If a player is exploring the fringe, they roll through sunny San Diego sooner or later. It's the preferred destination of guys looking for one more shot, returning from a long injury, or one last decent paycheck.

This season looks no different for the Padres, who have invited several familiar names to camp this year. I have penciled in 23 players so far, that leaves two player's jobs that are up for grabs.

In today’s day and age, where obesity has become such a concern that the NBC show The Biggest Loser is actually one of top rated shows on the last-place network, even star athletes are taking note.

Over the rigors of a 162-game schedule, combined with six weeks of spring training and the possibility of an extra four weeks of playoff baseball, the human body takes on a heavy toll, so to speak. Stamina becomes a major issue and for players who may be packing on a few extra pounds, late season injuries can certainly become a concern as well.