Gary Sheffield, the ex-Yankees slugger has never been one to shy away from voicing his opinion during his career, and his prediction of Alex Rodriguez having a big season sounds like as solid a prediction as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.

There are many factors which may lend to A-Rod having his best season yet as a Bronx Bomber.  For one thing, he's come into camp slimmed down by at least 12 pounds.  This should allow A-Rod to be more flexible and have better plate coverage overall.  Along with that, A-Rod also shed some mental weight by airing out his strained off the field relationship with Derek Jeter. 

A-Rod is also in his option year and is it just me or do almost all players have their best or career year in their walk year?  It's not being cynical or a knock on A-Rod, it's just a fact, the extra motivation of dollar signs is there.  Heck look at Carl Pavano in his walk year of 2004 with the Florida Marlins, the guy won 18 games.  In addition, the last two odd seasons of 2003 and 2005, both MVP seasons I might add, A-Rod hit nearly 50 homeruns each year leading the American Leageu and his slugging percentage topped .600.  Might I also add that the Yankees this July make a jaunt to Coors Field, which should no doubt add to A-Rod's statistical output.