Baseball in 2009

Well, with less than a month until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, excitement for American pastime is back. At least for me. I'm a huge baseball fan and 2009 promises to be an exciting year. Will the Yankees, with their 400+ million dollars spending and new stadium, finally win that elusive title they've been seeking since 2000? Or will another team rise up from baseball obscurity and make it to the World Series? (i.e Astros, Rockies, Rays) Well, I know that since the adoption of the wild card, it has been possible for at least half of the teams in each league to have a serious shot at the playoffs come September, and amidst all the controversies surrounding Bud Selig nowadays, I have to give credit to the man for making baseball exciting again. Looking at each team's roster I'm almost led to believe that everyone has a chance (yes, even the Royals and Pirates) and that nobody should be counted out. Let us not forget the story of the Detroit Tigers who only a few years ago set the records for more losses in AL history with a 119 only to come back a couple of years later and make it all the way to World Series. Or even last years Rays, who has never had a winning season in their HISTORY, coming close to taking the title home. So who do you think will be team to watch this year? It could finally be the Yankees year again with a much improved rotation (Sabaitha, Burnett, Pettite, Wang, Chamberlain) and the rock solid Mariano Rivera closing out games. They have to be feeling good about their chances. The rest of the AL East , with the exception of the Rays, seems to be lagging behind. I still like the Red Sox, I'm just not too crazy about all their low-risk signing, so I have to give the Rays the upper hand based on their youth. On the other divisions, everything seems up for grab. I think the Tigers can win the AL Central, coming from a season where the expectation were really high. I've also learned not to count out the White Sox or the Twins. In the AL West, the Angels will finally have some competition with the resurgence of the A's. Holliday, Giambi and a healthy rotation could give the Beane led team an upset of their division rival. Or, will the Phillies do what no other team has been able to do this decade and repeat as World Champions? They sure seem to have, on paper, the team to be able to repeat with the return of ALL of their core players (Hamels, Utley, Howard, Lidge, Rollins, even the ageless Moyer) I guess the Mets, if they get rid of their chocking label, could give them a run for the NL East title as well. Some people also mention the Cubs, but I feel that as long as Pinella is running the team it will never win. Don't get me wrong, the Cubs have a very good team, probably the best in the NL Central, I just can't shake the notion that Lou does not respond well to his players, and viceversa. The NL West is anything but settled. It almost feel that every team on that division is going to end up tied at the end of the season. It all depends where Manny Ramirez land and whether Jake Peavy remains with the Padres. But everything at this moment is speculation. Until each team's 25 take the field, and the season begins, nothing in baseball is sure. I'm looking forward to this season with excitement and with renewed love for this game. Let's play ball!!!