New beginning

Today is the day that pitchers and catchers for both the Orioles and Phils have their first workouts in sunny Florida. Do we need another sign that spring is just around the corner? Forget those stupid rodents and their shadows...today is a harbinger of spring to come.

Both the Orioles and the Phils are starting the season with lots of promise.

The Orioles have reworked their infield changing 3 of the 4 starters from the previous year. In addition they have added a big bat for the middle of the line-up. Vlad Guerrero will DH this season. He is coming off a season where he hit 300 had 29 homers and 115 RBI's for the AL Champion Rangers. The young Orioles pitchers have another year under their belt and I expect them to start stringing together quality starts. Do I think the Orioles make the playoffs--hell no! But will they be improved over the last few seasons--hell yes. 82 wins is realistic and I think they might even fight for 2nd in the division. The Red Sox are an improved team but both the Rays and the Yankees have come back to the pack in the division.

The Phillies season starts with huge expectations. The team has added another great arm in Cliff Lee. I'm not really worried about the Phils pitching staff. The reason they didn't make the World Series last year was the offense. The biggest question going into 2011 is how do they replace Jayson Werth's bat. If Dom Brown struggles in the first part of the season don't be surprised if the Phils are in the market for a slugging outfielder in July.

Could be a fun baseball season in these parts. I just hope all the snow melts in the next couple of weeks.