However, before we look ahead, we must look back at this past off-season. Never before had I seen so many prominent names (Randy Johnson, Edgar Renteria, Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson, Pedro Martinez, ) switch teams and leagues than this winter.

The days of watching your favorite player sport the uniform of a team their whole career appears to be over. While there are a few who have the potential to do that (Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Chipper Jones), most players will look where they can make more money (Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran) or play for a winner before their career is over (Randy Johnson). Many our journeymen (recently retired Roberto Alomar, Jeremy Burnitz, Kenny Lofton) who are just looking for someone (Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates) who still wants them.

Anyway it is looked at, free agency always gets us talking and remains an exciting piece to our baseball lives.

Unfortunately, for many teams (Milwaukee Brewers, Pirates, Devil Rays), they have to watch their players (soon to be Ben Sheets, Oliver Perez, Carl Crawford) walk away and play for teams with the large payrolls (New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets).

Not that I blame them at all, because I know if my boss offered me more than I was worth, I wouldn?t tell him "no thanks, I?ll take half so you can distribute it across the company to help us succeed."

Several American League teams improved during the off-season, (Yankees, Red Sox) while others just watched (Devil Rays, Kansas City Royals).

Sammy Sosa left the windy city (contender) and headed to Baltimore (3rd place). Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson left the N.L. West to guard the corners for the Seattle Mariners, while Steve Finley will be centering the outfield for the Los Angeles Angels of P.O. Box 1220, 11th Street, Walt Disney World Corporations of California (Anaheim).

My hope is, when Johnson throws the first pitch to officially open the 2005 baseball campaign Sunday night, the free agent and steroids talk will be forgotten and the game will be the only thing on our minds.

Now on to the predictions.

1. New York Yankees: Even with the Red Sox World Series win, the Yankees are the favorites to win the East. With the addition of Johnson, Carl Pavano, and Jamie Wright, the Yankees pitching should regain the dominant form it took on in the late 1990s. Their lineup is back in tact, and they should get an even better year out of Alex Rodriguez. They have the leadership to advance past the ALCS this year and move on to the World Series.

2. Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox should challenge the Yankees for the A.L. East crown right up to the last week of the season before eventually falling short. Their pitching is still solid even with the loss of Martinez. Renteria will provide another clutch bat in this already dangerous lineup. But what?s the most important thing the Red Sox have this year that they never had before? Confidence.

3. Baltimore Orioles: Possibly a division winner if they were sitting in the middle of the A.L. Central, but nothing but a third place finish in the East for these birds from Baltimore. I expect to see these guys in first by the middle of April, and then quickly slide down the standings. Have fun Sammy.

4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Lots of young talent all over the field. Lots of headaches too. They?ll be a fun team to watch as long as Lou Pinella is coaching them.

5. Toronto Blue Jays: They only got worse with the loss of Carlos Delgado. Things are looking very bleak for the people of Toronto. Especially if you finish behind the Devil Rays again.

1. Cleveland Indians: Here?s a team that?s rising quickly. The Indians are hoping for a couple of bounce back seasons from C.C. Sabathia, who is only 24, and Kevin Millwood who pitched like a number four starter last season for the Philadelphia Phillies. Their bullpen could be their downfall once again this year. Luckily their offense is so good that their might not be a lot of chances for the bullpen to blow it.

2. Minnesota Twins: One of the best pitching rotations in the league. It was tough not to put their name in first place with the likes of Johan Santana, Brad Radke and Carlos Silva manning the mound, and Joe Nathan lurking in the bullpen. A VERY close race.

3. Chicago White Sox: Probably one of the biggest question marks to the season. They could finish anywhere from first to fifth. Their rotation has three potential .500 pitchers in Jose Conteras, Orlando Hernandez and Freddy Garcia. Which should lead to a .500 season from the North siders of Chicago.

4. Detroit Tigers: The signing of Magglio Ordonez was one of the biggest head-scratchers in recent memory. Even being in the worst division in baseball won?t help this team survive a fourth place finish.

5. Kansas City Royals: The worst team in baseball.

1. Los Angeles Angels: Steve Finley, Orlando Cabrera and Dallas McPherson will help this lineup become even more lethal. And you can?t go wrong with Vladimir Guerrero hitting number three for you. But, the Angels pitching is sub-par, and will keep them from advancing past the first round of the playoffs.

2. Oakland A?s: The loss of Hudson and Mulder will hurt this team down the stretch. However, with Barry Zito, Rich Harden and Dan Haren, this team still has better pitching than anyone in the division.

3. Texas Rangers: Mark Teixeira could quite possibly be the AL MVP this year, and Hank Blalock is one of the best third baseman in the game. However, much like we will see with many of the American League teams, their pitching is going to be what crushes them. Look for Alfonso Soriano to be dealt by July.

4. Seattle Mariners: The lineup has gotten much better with the additions of Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson. Also, you can never go wrong with Ichiro Suzuki at the top of your lineup. But the pitching will hold this team back. Could be back to contending next season though.

MVP: Vladimir Guerrero, Los Angeles; runners-up: Alex Rodriguez, New York, Mark Teixeira, Texas.

CY Young: Randy Johnson, New York; runners-up: no one even close to be considered.

Manager of the Year: Eric Wedge, Cleveland; runner-up: Joe Torre, New York.

Rookie of the Year: Dallas McPherson, Los Angeles

AL Champs: New York Yankees