Spring is almost here...

Yes, I abrubtly dissappeared after the Bears lost. Mainly because, quite frankly I had nothing to say about it. I was wrong. Grossman blew.

But now a greater thing has brought me back to the nation. Pitchers and catchers have reported. Hitters are starting to arrive. Spring is in the air. IT'S BASEBALL TIME!!

And so to help shed some light on this years season, I give you a list of things to watch for as yet another wonderful summer begins:

The Twins return to earth- They will not contend for the central I guarentee it. Liriano out for the season, Radke retired. Bonser pitched out of his butt last year, and Santana can only pitch every fifth. Hitting will remain, but pitching will end their season early. 85 win max.

The Cubs... staying put- 90 losses? not likely. But don't expect them to run away with anything. My predictions for the free spending cubs: The lineup will hit 800 homeruns, and the pitching staff will give up 800 home runs. Ted Lilly is taking the cubs back to mediocrity. Next Season is not now, cubs fans.

The Zambrano saga- One of the best young pitchers in the game, an inflated market, drama is ready to ensue. Does the tribune shopping spree end or is he tied up on the north side for life? Wait and see...

Bonds' big head, big ego, big contract, big record- Yes, Arthur, it will happen. It's just a question of where and when. My advice, do what bud selig does and catch the replay on sportscenter. Waiting for it is just gonna make you angry that this is the guy who will hold the most heralded record in baseball.

George Mitchell, Private Eye- Speaking of Bonds and Juice, watch for... yeah, no. Nevermind.

Rule Changes- Yes, we have brand new rules that have changed everything. Position players caught intentionally scuffing the ball recieve an automatic fine. Players can no longer enter the dugout to make a catch on a foul ball (they can still reach in). And the A.J. Rule: The drop third strike only applies until a player leaves the dirt circle around homeplate. yes sweeping changes that have a profound impact on 4-5 plays in the last decade. (rules on steriod use still pending... still pending... still pending... cough.)

St. Louis Cardinals Repeat Champs!- Okay, not really. Just seeing if you were paying attention.

Gil Meche leads KC out of the cellar- yeah, sorry, just double checking.

Trade Deadline- Every year rumors and questions sorround the month of July. Whos going where? What do we have to give up? Who the heck is Geoff Blum? Every trade can have a real impact in October. So heres a few players names that you'll here alot about in July: Carl Crawford, Mark Buehrle, Louis Castillo, A-Rod (as always, but not likely), Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones, and perhaps even Ichiro.

Selig Crapping all over- Pretty much every year, but it's fun to see what he does this time.

Declining attendance- Just a hunch, but I think alot of fans are getting irritated with baseball right now.

Kenny Williams being committed, the White Sox winning regardless- (Just in case you thought I wasn't going to mention them) I thought Ozzie was the crazy one in the organization. One day I will have to figure out how this mans head works. But I still see the White Sox winning the weakened central.

Fun to be had by all- A new season for many fans means new hope (Sorry Tampa). Hope for the prospects, hope for the veterans, hope for the cinderella year, or finally reaching expectations. A new season gives us a chance to pull out the glove and have a catch without thinking about all the bad things baseball has become. A chance to sit in the bleachers and feel the warm sun, and think just for a moment, "This is what is right". Everything starts so fresh, the stadium looks clean, the players look rested. Baseball is back my friends, make it your game.