The best time of the year? Spring Training 2013

    We are still a month out, but I can't wait anymore...Baseball season is back! The sport where you don't have to be the best team to win a World Series, you just have to be the hottest at the right time. Here is my list of playoff formats (most to least) that are most reliable in crowning the best team, champion:

    

    1. NBA Playoffs (Heat vs. Thunder) 

    2. NHL Playoffs (7 game series finals) 

    3. BCS National Champion (The new dynasty: Alabama) 

    4. NFL Playoffs (The Pats should win every year right?)

    5. March Madness (Northern Iowa, 2-15 seeds, Butler, VCU, etc.) 

    6. MLB Playoffs (SF Giants...'Nuff said)

  

    There is so much to talk pertaining to the upcoming 2013 MLB season. A Canadian team possibly becoming the favorites to win it all. The "dream team" trio of Trout-Pujols-Hamilton. The Upton family reunion. Boston trying to regain the classic BeanTown baseball relevancy we all miss. The Yankees getting older. The beginning of the Giancarlo Stanton saga. The Dodgers payroll skyrocketing. Northern California continuing baseball dominance over the inferior Southern California teams. The Tigers getting better and their division getting worse. The AL West becoming the hierarchy of baseball. The words Natitude, Moneyball, 200 million dollar man, Francona and Dickey added to my baseball lexica. 

    

    This is part 1 of my 2013 MLB Preview. Column by column I will take you through each division, each intriguing team story line and predictions. The weather changing, the sun coming out, the grass getting greener, it means one thing: Baseball is back! Tim Kurkjian impersonations are about to demand our attention and verdict. Our favorite teams need our opinions on who to start, who should make the opening day roster and who to cut. Baseball fans, it is your time to shine. So, lets start things off...with the newly revamped AL West:

    Los Angeles Angels- A year after being, as Vince Young would describe "dream team", and not living up to expectations, they got "better." I put "" around better because they are only better by media standards. Did they actually get better? Is Josh Hamilton really that big of an addition? Nope. Hitters are expendable. (In my best Peter Brandt impersonation) The media sees the Angels as spending tons of money on names like Josh Hamilton, retaining no neck Mike Trout and the best hitter of the 2000-10 decade Mr. Pujols. I see the Angels as losing 3 of their 5 starting pitchers and the left side of their infield looking like the Sandlot squad. Get ready for over hyped/overrated season II. #TheTroutHamiltonPujolsTrio

    Texas Rangers- The former powerhouse of the west lost their slugger to their division rivals. Josh Hamilton gone. Napoli gone. Insert Lance Berkman and A.J. Pierzynski. No comparison. Here is where I think the Rangers are overlooked: They have an ambitious GM, the best prospect in baseball blocked by an all-star shortstop and already talented roster. I see a major trade coming. A trade that will put this team over the top. Plus, Yu Darvish and the young pitching staff will only get better. #InProfarWeTrust

    Oakland Athletics- Can they defy the odds again? They only got better acquiring Jed Lowrie and C-Y Chris Young. Their pitching staff remains one of the best, yet most underrated and inexperienced in the show. I think Mr. Beane is putting too much hope in Brandon Moss and a group of utility infield misfits. The outfield and bullpen are superb though. Plus, with Bob Melvin, you know they will get creative. #CespedesFor2013MVP

    Seattle Mariners- Did they just become relevant again? A few under the radar acquisitions may help King Felix's M's contend. The rotation is getting better, but the lineup must be feared. Once the prospects are ready, a year from now most likely, they will contend. Until then... #AYearEarlyMagic

    Houston Astros- Will become the first team to switch from being the worst team in the NL to the AL in a matter of a year. Really not a lot of hope. I'd say 3-4 years from now this team will be relevant again. Until then, it will be an uphill battle (center field hill pun intended). #ALOrBust

     Predicted finish:
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Oakland Athletics
3. Texas Rangers
4. Seattle Mariners
5. Houston Astros