Opinion

The Minnesota Twins’ Spring Training is officially underway.

That means that the Twins’ incredible playoff run in 2009 is officially part of the past and it’s time to look forward to the season ahead.

The 2010 season figures to be an exciting campaign for a club that is definitely in transition.

After 28 years, the Twins will be leaving the antiquated Metrodome for state-of-the-art Target Field.

Additionally, the club has—for the first time in recent memory—made some significant offseason additions to address the club’s weaknesses.

As Mark Teixeira grabbed the last out of the 2009 regular season, I screamed and applauded vigorously. As a lifelong Yankee fan, I have been spoiled by five championships and seven pennants in my lifetime. I got up early the next morning to buy my overpriced championship merchendise and I thought to myself "now what?" That was an easy question: "Gear up for a repeat!"

Every general manager makes mistakes. It doesn’t mean that they’re not good at what they do, it just means they’re human. Kenny Williams has made a mistake by not stepping up and doing what it takes to sign Johnny Damon .

This offseason Williams has shored up the bullpen, acquired veteran role players, and overall assembled a division champion quality team. However he’s neglected to fill a gaping hole at DH. It started by letting Thome go, and not wanting to bring him back because Ozzie didn’t feel he could get him meaningful at-bats—fine.

Newest starter to the Chicago White Sox rotation, Jake Peavy, turned down the opportunity to start Opening Day for the White Sox stating that this is "Mark's team," referring to starting pitcher Mark Buehrle.

''He didn't want anything to do with what he felt was getting in the way of the team, and he didn't want anything that he felt was remotely looked at as controversial or self-serving," White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said.

"He called me up two or three days after SoxFest and said, 'Dude, I don't want to start. This is (Mark) Buehrle's team.' "

Over the next month or two, stories about spring training will sprout up across the nation like grass on a freshly manicured Florida diamond.

Professional writers like Jayson Stark and Bill Gammons, as well as amateur bloggers and writers like myself, will begin to pen stories about the true meaning of spring training.

Wandy Rodriguez, no doubt, is in Houston Astros spring training with something to prove.

The 31-year-old, 5'11" left-hander recently lost his arbitration battle with the Astros, receiving $5 million in 2010 when he was asking $7 million.

According to the above linked article, Rodriguez is content about what happened in arbitration and is "...here to work hard and have another good year."

With Spring Training starting, the Blue Jays are more than unlikely to make another significant move, having already made a few under-the-radar moves and traded the face of the franchise. I will analyze all the players that have left the team and all the significant players that have arrived to play for Canada's largest city.

Coming To Toronto

Alex Gonzalez, signed one year, $2.75 million deal
This deal was to replace Marco Scutaro, who was destined to leave as a Free Agent, as after his breakout season would demand more money.

Greetings Bleacher Reporters!

I’m Billy and I have been a contributor on this site for a few years now. Anyone who has read any of my articles knows I am incredibly passionate about my teams, especially the New York Yankees .

I am, like many on this site are or were at some time, a college student. I am a Communications Studies major at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA.

Johnny Damon blew it.

And not by signing with the Detroit Tigers a few days ago. That was just more fallout.

No, Damon blew it in December 2005, when he agreed to sign a free agent contract with the New York Yankees.

Let me start by saying this: I’m a Boston Red Sox fan, but this isn't a fan’s rant about how Damon turned his back on Red Sox Nation to join its most hated rival. The thought never really crossed my mind.

This is simply a practical look at a short-sighted decision made by Damon and his camp four years ago—one that will haunt him for years.