Opinion

Spring training games have officially begun and the Mets—like the other 29 MLB teams—are trying to prepare for the regular season by seeing which players will have what it takes to be part of the major league roster.

The Dodgers' signing of Zack Greinke to a six-year, $147 million deal was one of the offseason's biggest moves, but it almost didn't happen.

Remember last month when the possibility existed that the Philadelphia Phillies could use a double-platoon for their corner outfield spots, rather than naming a starter at each position heading into spring training?

When the Miami Marlins sent Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, Emilio Bonifacio and over $100 million in salaries to the Toronto Blue Jays in November, that would have been a good time for team owner Jeffrey Loria to speak up.

The steroid era seems to be dark cloud that will just not pass over Major League Baseball.  

While this era has somewhat ended in terms of the widespread use of banned substances within the game, it clearly has not been completely eliminated.

And now, the steroid era is beginning to rain one of baseball’s most prized and revered institutions: The Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Baseball Hall of Fame has always been a sacred place, reserved only for those who have achieved at a level head and shoulders above the rest.

The sights and sounds of Spring Training remind us that the coming summer is going to be a wonderful time. They also remind us that J.P. Arencibia does a perfect Tim Kurkjian impression. 

Losing Curtis Granderson—one of the premiere players in all of baseball—in his first real at-bat of spring training last week will be problematic for New York.

Having to insert Brett Gardner into the everyday lineup could also prove troublesome. Gardner appeared in just 16 games last season for the Yankees, and is a career .266 hitter.

Carlos Marmol’s 2011 campaign was a disaster. His 2012 season was equally awful.

Why would the Cubs stick with Marmol as their closer?

The New York Mets are less than two weeks into spring training 2013, but it isn't too early to tell which players are set to outperform others down in Port St. Lucie.

Over the next month, Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson will have to make decisions on tough roster moves and position battles. The manager and the general manager will need to find a blend of experienced veterans who can mesh well with the variety of prospects the Mets have at their disposal.

The New York Yankees need some help in the outfield now that Curtis Granderson is out until May with a broken forearm, but taking on one-time Bronx Bombers prospect Alfonso Soriano is not the answer.