MLB

Bruuuuuce.

It's a sound that Reds fans bellow every time Jay Bruce steps up to the plate.

Outsiders may think the noise is some sort of boo. The reality is quite the opposite—Bruce is a vital piece of the 2010 Cincinnati Reds, and the fans know it.

He has quickly become one of the most beloved players on the team. 

After being touted as a "can't miss" prospect coming up, he has struggled to live up to lofty expectations. After a red-hot start to his pro career in '08, his bat has cooled off mightily.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Seattle Mariners head to Opening Day with high expectations.

Last season, the Mariners had the biggest turnaround in the MLB, turning its awful 101-loss campaign in 2008 into a successful 85-77.

Every year it's the same old story. "Insert name here" can't find a team willing to meet the demands of the player who was once a star.

This year, it's Jermaine Dye that is among those still without a team.

Look, sometimes these guys need to understand that they are not the players they once were. Sometimes they need to accept a minor league contract or far less money than they were making in the past.

While everyone is talking about Jake Peavy, Gordon Beckham and "The Outfield Situation," the Chicago White Sox No. 3 pitcher Gavin Floyd is seemingly skirting around the media radar.

Perhaps the most intriguing piece of what could potentially be a terrific White Sox team this year, Floyd is poised to build upon his resume and thrust himself into the upper echelon of pitchers this season.

A few of you by now are probably thinking, "You have got to be kidding me! He had a 4.06 ERA last season and was a measly 11-11!" But hear me out.

This slideshow includes my predictions for the division standings, wild card berths, playoff predictions(including how many games), and who I think will win the World Series. It also includes who I think will win all the major baseball awards such as MVP and Cy Young. Feel free to comment on what you think.

Begin Slideshow

After three injury-filled seasons, it finally appeared Rickie Weeks was heading for a breakout season in 2009. That ended on a check-swing in St. Louis that saw Weeks tear a tendon in his left wrist.

He was out the rest of the season after playing in just 37 games.

However, it was the best 37 game stretch of his career, and it gave the organization and fans a taste of what Weeks can do when healthy.

With an opening night showdown with the defending world series champion New York Yankees looming over Fenway Park, questions remain unanswered regarding the upcoming season. The question that has all of Red Sox nation on the edge of their seats is what kind of production will David Ortiz deliver?

In 2009, Ortiz's early season struggles took him through the 40th game of the year with a batting average under .200 and no big flies. Ortiz was unable to catch up to fastballs and adjust to breaking balls.

Alright, the bold prediction doesn't have to do with the Tigers, it just fit the theme of the title. Kind of. Anyway, Aroldis Chapman will win Rookie of the Year in the National League. There you have it. It's Quick Pitches.

WHAT I'M READING

• My early pick for NL Rookie of the Year? Why, none other than The Cuban Sensation .

Here we are.

Just one week until the Atlanta Braves open the season against the Chicago Cubs at Turner Field.

Most of the roster has already shaken itself out.

You're looking at an outfield of Cabrera/Diaz, McLouth, and Heyward, and an infield that boasts Jones, Escobar, Prado, and Glaus with Brian McCann behind the dish.

The rotation has been set since Vazquez was dealt, with Jurrjens, Hudson, Hanson, Lowe, and Kawakami leading the charge.

Every major question in sports deserves a bracket.

And since Major League Baseball prospects are, at best, gigantic question marks, why not put the hottest names of the diamond spring through a little March Madness?

There's plenty of players that could make the difference for your fantasy team, but who will make the biggest difference?

I am constantly annoyed at the lack of editorial followthrough when it comes to prospects. Most of the big sites - ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, MLB - will publish a list around March 1 based on hype from Baseball America or offseason position-battle scuttlebutt.