Opinion

Washington DC

By Patrick Read

The 2009 season saw many players break out of mediocrity in America's Pastime, but only a select few of them can be expected to continue their newfound success into 2010.

You can ask Ryan Ludwick or Geovany Soto: at any rate, players that put together a career year without any moderate success before hand can be expected to see a drop in their statistics.

In this article I have identified the top breakout players of 2009 and analyzed whether or not they can be expected to follow it up with a big season this year.

Mark Reynolds

Could Aroldis Chapman have as much talent as the Big Unit? It has been said, and not by me. Some of the other suitors who lost out in the bid to get Chapman, said that he has that kind of talent but needs to have it nurtured.

My speculation is that you will see him in a Cincinnati uniform between Memorial Day and the All-Star break. I am not saying he will stay for the duration, but I think he will be given a chance to show what he can do.

Young arms are becoming a more and more precious commodity in baseball, and the Yankees, with Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, have two of the better ones in baseball.

Protecting those arms has become paramount. That’s why the Yankees enacted the “Joba Rules” last year, and in 2010 we may even see the Phil-osophy. It’s about keeping Joba and Hughes healthy and out on the mound.

Kansas City baseball is currently in a rebuilding era, and has been for some time now.

One thing that is different now than in the past is talent in the farm system. This young talent, combined with off season acquisitions, will present interesting personnel scenarios for the Royals in 2010.

Scouting and team management will play a huge role in player development this season - to the chagrin of many fans - as they will have to decide which talent is most deserving of playing time and which requires more maturity or should be dealt.

The Minnesota Twins have spent the offseason making some roster moves that have fans anxiously awaiting the 2010 baseball season. 

As if a new stadium weren't enough to peak the interest of the Twins-faithful, the Minnesota franchise has brought in talent in all areas of the field. 

The first acquisition was JJ Hardy, an everyday infielder that gives the Twins some options at shortstop. Gone is Carlos Gomez in the deal to acquire Hardy after the center fielder struggled to make a name for himself after coming to Minnesota from the Mets in the Johan Santana trade. 

Much has been said about David Wright's home run total in 2009.

Mets fans everywhere are wondering if Wright will have a bounce-back season in 2010 power-wise, getting his total back up to the thirties that we're used to.

Well, the Mets are trying to help (or so they think).

Did the Twins just execute a "perfect" offseason? 

JJ Hardy. Carl Pavano. Clay Condrey. Jim Thome. Orlando Hudson. (Joe Mauer?) Talk about a study in a wise allocation of resources. 

After the 2009 regular season, the Twins had several clear and crucial needs, most notably their nearly empty infield. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau were the only two guaranteed starters, while Nick Punto’s versatility would allow him to start at any one of the 2B/SS/3B holes in the Minnesota infield.

Topps, the Exclusive trading card partner of Major League Baseball, is celebrating Mother's Day a little bit early this year.

Beginning yesterday, www.ToppsMillion.com opened up for collectors to "unlock" their redemption cards, which are randomly inserted (1:6 packs) in 2010 Topps baseball, for a chance at reclaiming one of 38,000 different cards their mother may have tossed in the trash.

Point: Yes, I hope the Tigers bring Johnny Damon in. It makes perfect sense.

Counterpoint: The Tigers might as well turn over left field to Ryan Raburn.

P: Raburn? I like Raburn as a fifth outfielder. He won't put up what Damon will.

CP: Signing Damon would make the Tigers awfully crowded with outfielders. They have Raburn, Clete Thomas, Austin Jackson, Wilkin Ramirez, Magglio Ordonez, and possibly Carlos Guillen.

CP: Forget Ramirez and Thomas. Now you are down to four guys. Guillen could play a lot at third base considering Brandon Inge's injuries.