Opinion

If nothing else, the Omar Minaya era certainly hasn’t lacked drama.

At first he looked like another Frank Cashen in the making when he rebuilt a floundering Mets franchise. His ability to lure Hispanic marquee free agents, coupled with his ability to find diamonds in the rough (John Maine for Kris Benson?! What a steal!), seemingly appeared to trigger an era in which the Mets would be a force for many years.

"My plan is definitely to win the World Series," answered Johan Santana after being questioned on the Mets expectations for the upcoming season. "That's what we want to do, and that's what we have in mind."

The day before it was David Wright telling a small contingency of reporters, "We feel like we're going to go out there and win the National League East and go deep in the playoffs and win the World Series."

For the first time that I can remember in the Mark Shapiro-era of the Cleveland Indians, the team might have actually made a sound free agent signing that didn't involve the term "low-risk."

Granted, the reported deal that Russell Branyan has accepted is a one-year deal worth $2 million dollars, this isn't a typical garbage heap signing Shapiro has pulled off in the past.

This is more along the lines of Kerry Wood, David Dellucci, and Roberto Hernandez being signed to major league deals. This is a player expected to come in and earn his salary, even if it is at a bargain.

Clubhouse chemistry seems to be a bit of the "chicken or the egg" debate. Does winning breed good chemistry or does good chemistry lead to winning?

Last year, manager Lou Piniella lamented a lack of chemistry, and many observers pointed the finger at recalcitrant right fielder Milton Bradley for poisoning the well.

Houston Astros fans, no doubt, are excited at the prospect of both Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt returning at full strength, healed, fit, healthy, and ready to go in 2010. Just as 2010 was—on the silver screen—the year we make contact, 'Stros fans are hoping 2010 will be the year the team makes contact with an October champagne shower.

Is that realistic to believe?

Call me a glass-is-bone-dry guy, but no.

Trying to make accurate predictions in sports is nearly impossible. Nobody really knows how the season is going to play out no matter how well informed.

Injuries, slumps and surges are going to happen to every player on every team and even the most well educated fans and analysts won’t be able to predict more than a handful of outcomes.

This, after all, is why we love sports. We simply don’t know what’s going to happen and that’s where all the excitement comes from.

The San Francisco Giants head into the 2010 season with what is expected to be a healthy Edgar Renteria. After battling injuries nearly all season last year, the second year Giants shortstop appears to be eager to move on.

In fact, at the first day of camp he told reporters how disappointed he was with his performance last season. He told them, "I feel embarrassed for last year because I could not do my things on the field. They signed me to improve this team. I felt real embarrassed for the fans and the organization."

Knowing GM Ken Williams as most fans do by now, he doesn't always make it easy to be a White Sox fan, but he does make it interesting. Another one of these moments could be happening as we speak. Within the past two days, MLB.com has reported that the White Sox could be the leaders for acquiring the services of Johnny Damon.

Part 1 of a 5 Part Series

The New York Yankees opened their spring training camp in Tampa yesterday.

Brian Cashman was quoted defending his reshuffling of the outfield, including the signing of Randy Winn instead of former Yankee Johnny Damon.

Cash said that when he had traded Austin Jackson to get Curtis Granderson, after trading Melky Cabrera to get Javy Vazquez and after being unable to re-sign Damon, he had to bring in a large number of outfielders to restock the shelves.