Opinion

The Mets made it easy for anyone to savage them this offseason. They were not proactive in improving the team talentwise.

With that said, they added quality baseball people in the organization. That’s something that should not be overlooked.

They hired Chip Hale, Bob Melvin, Wally Backman, Dave Jauss, and Terry Collins to work with the players. The organization believes good coaching helps players get better.

With three games in the books, the new and improved Atlanta Braves look like they have the chance to be as good as advertised. Impressive performances from the rookie phenom Jason Heyward, Brian McCann, and the bullpen (including closer Billy Wagner) are among popular topics in the Peach State and fans are excited.

However, in my opinion there is one dark spot within the lineup that I feel deserves some attention. That spot is the play of the first baseman, and Atlanta newcomer Troy Glaus. 

Must I say I told you so?

Thursday, Tyler Colvin, 24, made his first start of the 2010 season at Turner Field for the Cubs after slow starts from Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome, and the entire Chicago offense for that matter.

Colvin faced numerous skeptics after demolishing opponents in spring training—the outfielder hit .468 while slugging .753 and driving in 18 RBI’s in 77 plate appearances—but few of those doubters still remain.

Dontrelle Willis and the Detroit Tigers defeated the Royals 7-3 Thursday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Willis, who made his first start today since last June when he was placed on the disabled list due to social anxiety, pitched six innings and surrendered only two earned runs.

The Milwaukee Brewers were busy even on their off day on Thursday. They became the latest team to sign a young player to a long-term deal, buying out a couple free agency-eligible seasons when they signed Yovani Gallardo to a five-year, $30.1 million deal.

The contract is the richest ever for a pitcher with two-plus years of Major League service time. Gallardo passes Jon Lester, who got a $30 million contract from the Boston Red Sox last year.

To date, Zack Greinke's record is 0-0 and Kyle Farnsworth's is 1-0. 

Things aren't always as they seem, though. Both of these pitchers took very different routes to get to this point.

Zack Greinke, while not dominant, cruised through six innings on Opening Day, giving up 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. Greinke turned a winnable game and a 4-2 lead over to the bullpen in the top of the seventh.  The result: The Royals trailed by the bottom of the seventh.

If you’re a Houston Astros fan like me, you have to be feeling pretty lousy right now.

Hey, would you look at that!

The Yankees bullpen decided to get their act together for the final two frames in what would turn out to be an exciting—and very long—three-game series with the AL East rival Red Sox.

I will be doing series recaps after all of the Yankees' series this year, and also highlight who performed well in the set, and who struggled a little bit more than expected.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Nobody seems to view beauty in the person of Bobby Abreu.

Abreu is less than mildly appreciated throughout baseball, not for what he does, but rather what he doesn't do.

Will he smack 40 home runs a season?

No.

Will he steal 40 bases a season?

Ditto.

However, it is the little things Bobby Abreu does that make him deserving of respect.

Lets play a little game I like to call, :"betcha' didn't know that!"

Welcome to the 13th edition of "Daily Random Sports Thoughts!"

Although that "Daily" part kind of flew out the window...

But anyways, we're back!

For those not familiar, I pick a team, player, or any other topic in sports that I have five random thoughts about. If you like 'em, read 'em! I try to get them on here every day!

Today's lucky random sports topic is...(drum roll)...Brett Gardner! (Imagine that there's confetti or something raining down now)