With spring training just around the corner the baseball world is once again revving up for another run at October (or on occasion November) glory. The Boston Red Sox epic collapse at the end of last season still fresh in everyone's minds, new manager Bobby Valentine will undoubtedly have his hands full with this team, and it will be interesting, and with Valentine always entertaining, to see what happens if this teams struggles. Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and others said that going through that only made them stronger and better prepared to face adversity. We'll soon find out. Elsewhere in the AL east the Blue Jays are hoping to make a serious run for the post season and with a collection of young talent look like a threat to do so. However that will all depend on the play of young prospects like Travis Schneider who is fighting it out with Eric Thames for the last outfield position, and Brett Lawrie who impressed in his short time up last season. The Jays also need solid produciton from Colby Rasmus acquired from St. Louis last season, and Adam Lind in order to be contenders. Alex Anthoplois added to the bullpen which was key but didn't land any big fish so it will be interesting to see what happens in TO this year.
Elsewhere the every entertaining/controversial Manny Ramirez signed a deal with the Oakland A's but will have to sit out the first 50 games to serve his suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The A's are taking a gamble bu at only 500k not a huge financial investment.
AJ. Burnett reported to Pirates camp and we will see what he has left in the tank after his less than stellar time in the Big Apple. New York is still going to be shelling out part of his salary so I'm not sure who has the last laugh on this one...
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