Opinion

Over the next couple of weeks or so, I plan to write up a full report on my all-time favorite Mets team. Pulling from players across generations, I plan to build a 25-man squad that, well, makes me happy. You'll notice the list is light on pre-1985 Mets which is mostly because I haven't been a fan of the team for much longer than that. Even learning the history of the team cannot give me the proper appreciation of those guys that's needed to make them my favorite players.

Days after announcing his first big surprise about Russell Branyan being his primary starter at first base, Manny Acta stirred the pot once again.

While he had this idea in his head since he first got the job, Acta is just now making it known that center fielder Grady Sizemore will be moving out of his long-time leadoff spot.

Asdrubal Cabrera will be replacing him.

Even more surprising, was the news that Sizemore wouldn't be moving to the three-hole like so many people yearn for, but he'd be following Cabrera and hitting in front of right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

Will 2010 be the last season for Derrek Lee as a Cub? Perhaps, but it looks like there is mutual interest on both sides:

"The last time Derrek Lee was up for a new contract, he signed a five-year extension at the outset of the 2006 season and suffered a season-changing wrist injury a couple of weeks later.

The thought of trading young talent away is always a scary one.

“But what if he comes back and kills us for years?”

“Who knows how good he’ll become!”

“Uhhh…two words, Lou Brock.”

Point: Yes, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood...enough said.

Counterpoint: Dusty Baker killed their careers?

P: Yes, it is well known that Baker cares little about pitch counts.

CP: What about Carlos Zambrano?

P: He has not been free of symptoms either.

CP: Abuse happens but your criticism of Dusty Baker doesn't sound very scientific.

New York Yankee Brian Cashman was quoted in today's New York Daily News as saying that Robinson Cano has a chance to make a name for himself that people will remember forever.

Cashman predicted that Cano has the chance to win batting crowns, MVPs, and implied that he could have a Hall of Fame career.

What came to mind is whether Robinson Cano is the best Yankee second baseman who has ever pulled on the pinstripes.

The Yankees have had some very memorable players at second.

With the great teams of the 1920s and 1930s, Tony Lazzeri was a rock at second base.

Two years ago, the Red Sox drafted 18-year-old Casey Kelly in the first round of the MLB first-year player draft (pick No. 30 overall) out of Sarasota, Florida. At the time, he was a 195-pound two-sport schoolboy star who had signed a letter of intent to play quarterback at the University of Tennessee.

But then the Sox lured him to baseball with their checkbook and a promise that he could both pitch and play shortstop in the minor leagues. The agreement between the player and club was that he’d have to choose one or the other at the end of last season.

When you think of someone with bad vision you tend not to think of baseball players who hit .330 with 25 home runs. 

Pablo Sandoval may have not had terrible vision, the Panda is getting some brand new Oakleys to help him "see" the ball better. 

I know what you're thinking. 

A guy who hit .330 is getting glasses so he can see the ball better? Cue the Tim The Toolman Taylor soundbite please. 

Apparently Sandoval has been wearing his new specs when he was playing in the Venezuelan league this past off season and the numbers speak for themselves. 

First published on Beantown Sports Observer

This past offseason was not only big for the Boston Red Sox, but for the teams in their division as well. New York, Tampa Bay, Toronto, and even Baltimore made some significant moves on their roster and though some more bad than good, the division will be tough this season.

Well after the first week of spring training, the position players start reporting for spring training. And now that the position players are in Bradenton, the main focus of spring training is focused most of team chemistry. I will also go over anymore position battles that are arising.