Opinion

Looking at the press conference photo of Brad Mills being named the new manager of the Houston Astros and watching Ed Wade and Drayton McLane look like they're playing tug-of-war with Wade's jersey, I see something very fitting.

The Terry Francona disciple and former Boston Red Sox bench coach will wear jersey no. 2 with the Astros.

You know: 2, as in second choice.

Mills was named manager after the 'Stros first choice, Manny Acta, decided to take his act to the Cleveland Indians.

After going through a horrific, injury-plagued 2009 campaign, the New York Mets head in this winter's Hot Stove with many questions and seemingly too few answers.

Everyone's knee-jerk response to solving their issues revolve around signing a couple big ticket free agents and praying for health. It seems like the 2010 version of the Metropolitans will be a playoff contender, but still a cut below a dominant Phillies club.

The New York Yankees are back in the World Series again. With American League pennant No. 40 under their belt, as well as the groanings of Red Sox and Angels fans alike as background noise. The Yankees will play host to the Philadelphia Phillies for Games One and Two in the new Yankee Stadium, trying to win World Championship No. 27.

Recently, I wrote a preview to the upcoming World Series between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.  Since I wrote that I have seen other articles being written about the upcoming World Series too.

I have been curious to see what other people's opinions have been, so I read most of these types of articles.  Most I have agreed with their match up selections until I came across one written by Greg Fertel. 

The Mets need an everyday left fielder—on that we can agree—but the question of who Omar Minaya will make the effort to acquire and who he is willing to give up in the process is what fans are concerned about this winter.

Free agent acquisitions are obviously a big issue with the winter meetings in December, but trade opportunities will no doubt also present themselves, and Minaya needs to be aggressive but not further deplete the Mets' anemic farm system in the process.

Brad Mills.

Don’t worry if the name doesn’t ring a bell.

But Manager Mills is the new Houston Astros skipper.

If team owner Drayton McLane, general manager Ed Wade, and president of baseball operations Tal Smith all agree upon Mills, then Mills it is.

Just because a lot of people may not know a lot about Mills doesn’t mean he’s not the right person for the job.

As a roommate, teammate, and coach under Terry Francona, Mills could very well be the answer Houston has been looking for.

Astros fans at least need to give Mills a chance.

Any other season, Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson would be the top pitching candidate for National League Rookie of the Year.

But this year, he isn't likely to win the award. Why? Because he's going up against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ, who, quite simply, isn't a rookie.

Perhaps the biggest factor impacting Hanson is that he only entered the scene for the final four months of the season. Happ pitched in 35 games. Hanson pitched in only 21.

You would think after getting swept by the Dodgers in the NLDS, St. Louis Manager Tony LaRussa, who will come back for at least one more year, would be concerned with how the Cardinals can improve. Instead, he seems dead-set on creating a circus-like atmosphere for his 2010 squad.

If you haven't heard, Mark "I'm not here to talk about the past" McGwire will serve as the Cardinals hitting coach next season. And I thought we were heading towards our first Spring Training this decade free of steroid talk.

This past Sunday, the Indians hired Manny Acta as their new manager. Former Washington Nationals skipper Acta was signed to a three-year contract with a club option for 2013.

The Acta hiring has received a mix of cheers and jeers. Some say Acta's reputation as an excellent handler of young players makes him a perfect fit, while others question the ability of a manager whose team lost more games than the Tribe did last year.

For Rays fans, it's probably the worst outcome possible. The Yankees versus the Phillies in the World Series.

It may be hard for those outside the Tampa Bay area to understand, but there's something nasty about Tampa Bay fans feelings toward New York and Philadelphia.

First, let's talk Yankees. There's good reason for Rays fans to hate the Yankees. The Yankee fans (not all but many) are some of the most obnoxious fans that come to Tropicana Field.