Kuzul

Spring Training is upon us and the Yankees are looking to make a run at another World Series championship. A team that boasts the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira couldn’t have an Achilles heal could they? Many have said that their starting rotation is just that.

With CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes being the only reliable returnees from 2010, this Yankee rotation is far from instilling confidence in the fan-base. 

A rotation is only as strong as it’s fifth starter. The question still is, who will be that starter for the Yankees on that fifth day?

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The AL Central boasts one of the closest divisional races in baseball outside of the East. The White Sox, Twins and Tigers all seem to be neck and neck throughout the year until one club finds that extra gear. The Indians and Royals fight to climb out of the cellar each year as well. It’s the best of both worlds.

The division is also filled with class-act players as well as some classless ones. From Joe Mauer to Ozzie Guillen, the personalities are vast, but let’s not get side-tracked here.

Figuring out how this division will play out is a tough task nonetheless and some bold predictions are in order.

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The AL West represented the AL in the World Series this year, but fell short. The Angels seemed to be the destination for coveted free agent Carl Crawford, but as we all know, that didn’t pan out as expected.

The AL West seems to be completely up for grabs. The A’s are on the move, the Rangers look to duplicate last seasons successes, the Angels have a chip on their shoulder and the Mariners are, well, still the Mariners.

Just remember, anything is possible during this long season.

Before the season gets underway, it is time for another round of bold predictions that could play out over the 2011 MLB season.

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The beauty of sports is the unknown. No matter what the spreads are or who has the better roster on paper, there is still that element of chance that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. 

Some players break out while others stumble, teams fall short of their expectations while others come out of nowhere. Trying to predict what will happen in 2011 is a crapshoot, but making a call and seeing it come to fruition is a thing of beauty. 

The 2011 MLB season is fast approaching and it is time to make some gut calls and bold predictions surrounding the AL East.

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All players report to spring training with something to prove. Veteran’s come to show that they still have it and young prospects come trying to break onto the big league roster. 

For a young star with tons of potential, sometimes this pressure is too much to handle. 

Now that teams are getting into their full spring routine, it is now or nothing for some big-name prospects.

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The New York Yankees franchise has boasted some of the greatest players of all time. Players like Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and Thurman Munson have been clad in pinstripes and left their mark on our nation’s pastime.

Creating a list of the top defensive studs who called the Bronx their home is far from an easy task. This team has such a rich history that the list could incorporate over 100 players, and that might not even be enough. 

Strong defense sometimes is overlooked, as offensive numbers rule the league, but these players deserve recognition for their work with the leather on the diamond.

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The MLB off-season can set up a player for success or disaster. Some teams made a big splash, while others are still looking for a solution. Each team has the potential of making 2011 a season to remember, but which players are looking to take the fantasy scene by storm?

Postion changes or calling a new town home can be just the spark a player needed to become an elite fantasy option. Understanding exactly which off-season moves impacted which players is the key to a successful 2011 fantasy baseball campaign.

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With the baseball season right around the corner, the baseball hot stove is scolding hot. Teams that missed out on big free agent signings are still trying to make a splash via trades. 

Some players could find themselves landing in a favorable situation, that opens the door for them to make some noise. Fantasy studs could be born next season with a change of scenery.

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Looks like the Yanks finally got their big signing of the offseason. After missing out on Cliff Lee, they needed to make a splash. 

The Yankees now have a new setup man and an heir to the Mariano Rivera throne.

The details are still being worked out, but the contract looks to be a three-year deal worth $35 million.

Soriano, though, has the ability to opt out after the first or second year. If he does this, he will make $11.5 million or $21.5 million respectively.

This leaves some questions yet to be answered. What will happen to David Robertson and Joba Chamberlain with Soriano coming in? Are they now trade bait?

In the coming months we will see what sort of changes this type of deal will bring, but this is a huge move by the Yanks.

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