The San Francisco Giants, because they won last year and are primed for their young talent to continue to improve this year. No wait, the Red Sox because they had the biggest offseason, and Jon Lester will win the AL Cy Young. But what about the Yankees, who re−signed their captain and are a threat every year? The Phillies, and their J.D. Power and Associates Highest Rated Pitching Staff award? The Pirates and their … wait, never mind.
The calendar says late February, and that means hope springs eternal for the fan bases of every Major League Baseball team. Everyone is convinced that this is the year their young talent blossoms, their aging veterans turn back the clock and their team makes a run to October's biggest stage. Projections flow like wine at a Dionysus party, and there seems to be no limit to the optimism by fans and players everywhere. There are headlines about players all but guaranteed to start the year no higher than Class A (oh hey, Bryce Harper), and others about players who we hope and pray didn't miss their chance for a graceful exit (looking at you, Jason Varitek).
Every big free agent signing is greeted with an outpouring of emotion across the country, as everyone begins the hot stove season convinced that their team will find a way to fill all of their glaring needs. Some signings fly under the radar — Brandon Webb to Texas? Former Cy Young winner on the World Series runner−up? — while others are greeted with as much derision as Asher Roth playing Spring Fling two years ago — $126 million to Jason Werth, Washington? Really? REALLY?
But through it all, everyone is convinced their team has taken a step forward. The Red Sox think they can begin a Yanks−in−the−late−'90s run with so much talent locked up. The Orioles think they can compete in the AL East with the Mark Reynolds, Vladimir Guerrero and Derrek Lee signings. Detroit is in win−now mode after signing Joaquin Benoit, Victor Martinez and Brad Penny. The Yankees are apparently satisfied with a slightly less−portly CC Sabathia, a Phil Hughes who managed a 4.90 second−half ERA, and three clubhouse attendants as their rotation. The A's have young pitchers who seem to be on the verge of challenging San Francisco for best in the Bay Area.
But my favorite part of spring is still to come: the spring training updates. Like I'm sure many others do, I take pride and joy in reading the most obscure notes and tidbits about everything that goes on in different training complexes. For example, I might read that Paul Konerko woke up with a headache this morning, at which point I will bust into my roommate's room and declare absolutely that this will keep his beloved South Siders from competing with the Twins this year. Or I might happen to read a story about how Pablo Sandoval looks like he swallowed the actual Kung Fu Panda and immediately proclaim to another roommate that this means his Giants will never, ever repeat.
I subscribe to the springtime ritual of over−emoting about my favorite team as much as the next guy, but this year is a little different, since I already know the Red Sox have the AL East title wrapped up. Fortunately, in baseball, the idea of fantasy has become reality, and I get to focus on channeling my inner Theo Epstein to give my keeper team a leg up. But how can I lose there either, with Albert Pujols anchoring my offense? I'll have to go heckle my roommates about this too.
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