2011 MLB Spring Training

Finally! Spring training has begun! 

Baseball is just around the corner, and that means that players will be preparing and warming up for the regular season.

Most players for the Braves have already reported, and today they fielded balls and had batting practice. 

Now spring training is not the most accurate way of seeing if a player is ready or not, but it certainly foreshadows their performance in the regular season. So I will look over how today went for everyone.

It was 60 degrees in DC Monday, and on Tuesday Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers reported for Spring Training.

It’s official: Baseball’s back.

Before anybody gets excited here, this is just a hypothetical situation. 

It's a situation created in order to prove a point, and to create an awareness of the value of top prospects.

But are they really worth the insanely high price tag placed upon them?

That's what I hope to accomplish with this article. 

By the time you are done reading this, I want you to question the train of thought of general managers around the game when they deem a minor league kid untouchable. 

So far, I've taken quite a beating on my predictions for the American League.  Choosing the Rays to finish last in the AL East stirred up a little bit of debate.  But, hey, it's all part of the game.  Everyone makes their bold predictions, and that's mine for the upcoming season.

Will I be correct?

Probably not, but it never hurts to make a bold prediction. 

With the Chicago Cubs just days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Mesa, Arizona, the dreadful realization of seeking a replacement for the legendary and passionate radio broadcaster Ron Santo begins to sink in.

Ron Santo tragically passed away on December 3, 2010 due to complications from bladder cancer and diabetes

The minute the final out was made in Game 5 of the ALDS at the Trop, Rays fans knew they had a long offseason ahead of them.

Some, like me, held out hope that they would be able to retain Carl Crawford or somebody, but that never happened; they even got rid of great players that they didn't have to.

MLB power rankings have been popping up across the baseball landscape in recent weeks, as the day pitchers and catchers report to their respective spring training camps creeps slowly closer. 

Spring training isn't just about seeing baseball's established stars get ready for the season; it's also about getting to see some of your favorite team's best young talent fighting to prove they're ready for a shot with the big club, rather than stagnating in the minors. 

But with so many minor leaguers and upcoming rookies, how can you know who to follow? 

To say that the offseason for the Los Angeles Angels was a little contentious is akin to saying that the citizens of Egypt just wanted some minor tweaks to government.

After coming off a season in which they went 80-82 and finished out of the playoffs for only the second time in seven seasons, Halos fans were clearly looking for improvement during the offseason. What they got instead were two additions to the bullpen and a very controversial trade for the expensive Vernon Wells.

While it's still cold out, and the ground is covered in snow wherever you are, a sure sign of better weather ahead is the start of Spring Training.  Pitchers and catchers for each team are set to report to camp on Monday, and the storylines will emerge soon after.

We all know that the Yankees have another solid team heading into the 2011 baseball season.  However, there is a reason why they are not the favorites this season and it is much bigger than failing to get Cliff Lee and barely attempting to get now new Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford.