With spring training underway it is now time to officially declare it baseball season. And with the start of every new year, comes the grading of the off-season. So without further ado here are my picks for losers , with winners to follow tomorrow.
            5. New York Yankees- First of all, whose in charge here? This is a classic case of to many chiefs and not enough Indians. Before the playoffs last year, how many people even knew what Hank Steinbrenner looked like?
            I say the Yankees are losers of the off season, but not for your standard reasons. All of their free agents from last year are back, but at head scratching prices. The grand total of Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Alex Rodriguez's contracts? A potential $413 million. That's a lot of scratch to be handing out to players who "failed" their organization last year. And although they all return there are still no upgrades to the pitching staff that struggled all year long.
            The Yankees will be counting on the young arms of Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Joba Chamberlain this year after deciding to pull the plug on the Johan Santana deal.
            Still, the reason I have labeled them as losers for the off season is by no fault of their own. It's because of everything that has happened since the Mitchell Report was released.
            Lets not blind ourselves and think it was only the Yankees players using steroids and HGH from the mid ninety's to 2005, but they were certainly the most successful team during that time. Now there is a lot of talk about the "tainted" (which is bologna) championships numbered 23-26, a hard thing for the most storied franchise in Major League history to deal with.
            Few may remember the changing of the Joes this year, but all of us will remember (or misremember) Roger Clemens on capital hill, and Andy Pettitte's apology speech.
            4. Houston Astros- Does anyone over there know how to run an organization? Since the trading deadline of 2007 the Astros have traded away their back end of the bullpen. Gone are Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls, and Dan Wheeler. The good news is that Jose Valverde and his league leading 47 saves are now in the back of the pen. The bad news is there's no one to make sure he gets the ball.
            Houston does have some power bats in Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Lee, and Hunter Pence. The rest of the lineup will be filled out by the likes of Mark Loretta, Kaz Matsui, and Michael Bourne, so putting up some runs shouldn't be a problem. Preventing them will be.
            Yes, they have Roy Oswalt as the ace, but they don't have a legitimate three or four starter let alone a number two man. If you think Woody Williamsor Shawn Chacon can get the job done do me a favor and put down that pipe for a minute. Good news Pirates fans, there's an open competition for last place in the NL Central this year.
            3. San Francisco Giants- After successfully cutting ties to the all time home run leader, they replaced his bat with Aaron Rowand. Rowand has the ability to make the highlight grab but is far overrated as a top flight center fielder. Don't believe me? He ranked dead last in expanded zone rating last season while playing at hitter friendly Citizen's Bank Park . Just wait and see how he does covering the spacious center field at AT&T Park this year.
            Although there is some hope in the starting rotation with Barry Zito, Matt Cain,  Tim Lincecum , and Noah Lowry, the bullpen and defense are sure to be historically  awful. No one loves Omar Vizquel more then I do (first ballot hall of famer if I could vote) but the man is well past his prime. It doesn't get any better to his left or right with Ray Durham at second and Rich Aurilia at third.
            As for the bullpen? Quick, I challenge you to name one arm, left or right, ready to come in and throw an inning. That's what I thought.
            2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim- There was a time early on where I thought the Angels were about to have the biggest off season of any one. It started with the trading of Orlando Cabrera for Jon Garland. I assumed this would be the sign of something big to come. At the time Alex Rodriguez was a free agent as was Mike Lowell. When those options were no more they went out and signed Torii Hunter. "O.K." I said, "now they must have something in the works. Perhaps they will make an aggressive play for Miguel Cabrera."
            Then out of nowhere the Detroit Tigers come in and grab both Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis all because the Angels front office was afraid to part with some prospects, mainly Nick Adenhardt, Howie Kendrick, and Reggie Willits.
            Now the Angels are stuck without a solid third baseman, a veteran short stop and have 6, count 'em, 6 outfielders. The aforementioned Willits and Hunter, Gary Mathews Jr., Vladimir Guerrero, Juan Rivera and Garret Anderson. Adenhardt may well be ready for the majors this year, but will have a hard time finding a spot in the rotation that includes John Lackey, Jon Garland, Kelvim Escobar, Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver. Should one of them go down at some point during the season the Angels will probably insert Ervin Santana into the rotation, sorry Nick. Maybe next year.
            1. Scott Boras- I don't know about you, but this one brings me some pleasure. He tried to make his player bigger then the game when he announced A-rod would be opting out of his contract during game 4 of the World Series in Colorado.  A-rod had to crawl on his hands and knees to the Yankees front office to get his money.
            Then  Kenny Rogers decided it was time to play it safe. Boras tried to shop Rogers when his only wish was to remain a Tiger. The gambler knew when to fold 'em and promptly fired Boras.
            Oh, and now, although it's nothing new, Gary Sheffield is running his mouth, saying quote " Scott Boras is a bad man." Apparently Sheff is waiting to dish out some more information as soon as the situation is settled. Gary also thinks by the time he's done talking (annoyed grunt, hopefully soon) no one will want to sign with Boras anymore.
            Maybe Kyle Loshe should look at the situation. Remember him? Scotty boy was going to get him a 4 year deal between $50-$60 million. Well, now that spring training has begun, how about just a 1 year deal? You at least owe it to Kyle to get him a non-roster invite to spring training don't you?