2011 MLB Spring Training

About a month ago, I wrote about some bold predictions for this upcoming Mariners season. In it, I said that Ichiro will win a batting title.

It really isn't an insanely bold prediction since this is something entirely possible in any given season with Ichiro. That doesn't make it something that is a lock, though, either.

I'll expand on that prediction a bit, and give five reasons that show he can still do it.

The position in which hitters hit in a lineup can be determined by many different factors. Some of these are speed, power and on-base percentage or a combination of the three. 

Every manager looks at the way he draws up the lineup card differently, and you can really see the difference in managers by looking at these factors.

There are some players that are put into a spot based off pedigree and some off perception, while some are even in the lineup due to their salary, even though there maybe a better player on the bench.

The landscape of the closing situation for a few teams might have changed in the short-term, or perhaps even the long-term on Monday as three of the better closers in baseball either want to change roles, experienced some soreness, or likely suffered season ending injuries. A few guys who had next to zero fantasy value yesterday could be good late round sleepers tomorrow.

While teams throughout the Major Leagues monitor their rosters this spring, there are a number of players who are taking the field with a certain level of uncertainty.

Relief pitchers are an integral part of any team's successes. They enter games in tight spots and are counted on to shut out the competition when it counts.

If that's not enough pressure, a number of pitchers in team's bullpens are playing with the possibility of being pulled into a new role, that of a starting pitcher.

It sounds weird, but there is an air of finality about the start of the Oakland A’s 2011 season.

Jason Bay had a disappointing first season in New York last year, and if the Mets offense is going to be any better this year, they need Bay to have a bounce-back season.

Clearly, Bay is capable of having a big season at the plate. He’s done it in the past with the Pirates and Red Sox numerous times.

I’ve spent a few days in Port St. Lucie this week to watch the Mets play in spring training and I have to admit, it’s troubling to see how badly Bay is struggling right now.

One of the largest position battles out of the White Sox spring training camp is the starting third base job. Mark Teahen manned the hot corner for a majority of the season last year for the South Siders. He is no slouch defensively and has shown he can handle a bat. Through five seasons in Kansas City, he hit an overall .270 and 12 home runs a season.

Day by day, the Major League Baseball season gets closer. The Chicago Cubs have had two consecutive disappointing seasons. Now, with a new manager at the helm, the Cubbies are looking to start anew in 2011.

Many people are pessimistic about the upcoming season. Even though they may not have reason to be optimistic, I think it's time to be more ambitious.

Does the name Adam Miller ring a bell? It should.

Miller, 26, was the first-round draft choice of the Cleveland Indians in the 2003 MLB amateur draft, and just a few years ago was considered the future of the Indians pitching staff. Entering the 2007 season, Miller was Baseball America's No. 23-rated prospect in all of baseball. The 6'4", 200 lbs. flame-thrower was considered, at the time, to be the next Justin Verlander.

We're halfway through spring training, and it's come time to evaluate who is on the path for a major league roster and who might be cut or remain in the minor leagues until he can regain his stride.

Through Sunday, the Marlins are 5-10 in the Grapefruit League, but records only matter in the regular season.

Let's look at who's hot and who's not through the Marlins' first 15 spring training games.

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