That said, should Alex Rodriguez just pack up his needles….err.. toys and go home? It really might not be such a bad idea. Think about it for a moment.

As it stands right now, America and the Yankees are pissed. Yankee fans in particular. The Yankee fans are known to have a short memory, however, and a great start to 2009 would make them forget the steroids in a heartbeat. Now, with Alex having a serious injury, the chances of that happening is slim and none. Regardless of how great he might be with or without HGH, Rodriguez would have to be affected mightily by this injury.

Sure, others have played through the injury. Chase Utley most recently pulled it off and even helped the Phillies to the World Series Championship. The difference here is that Utley was not expected to be great like Arod. Utley did not have to play under the glare of the brightest spotlight in the world. Utley is not Alex Rodriguez. Arod is not going to be able to fly under the radar as Utley was afforded last season for much of the year.

If Alex Rodriguez went home and got the surgery, he could then come back when the injury is healed. This would also allow for the ever loving Yankee passage of time. The roids would get to be old news, and the great Arod could retake his throne as the man that will be the difference for the Yankees once again. Of course this is assuming that Alex does not have more skeletons in his closet that might pop out in 2010……Oh never mind.

Let Alex play hurt. Let the Yankees hate on him for a good long year. Let them self implode from the inside out. It will be good for baseball, and good for Alex. He deserves the punishment after all. Nobody deserves a torn labrum, mind you, but it is ironic is it not? A torn labrum right where the needle likely went in? Maybe the baseball Gods such as Ruth, Mantle, and Maris was sending Alex a sign.

Manny Ramirez is hugely important both to the success and the revenue for the Dodgers after the incredible impact he brought from Boston last year. The numbers are staggering to say the least, and the fans of Los Angeles love him like one of their own. In only 53 games, Manny batted .396 while hitting a staggering 17 home runs, and 53 RBIs over that short run that propelled the Dodgers to the NLCS. Also, Manny’s on base percentage was a rediculous .489 during those games. The numbers only tell part of the story, however.

While certainly Manny Ramirez was a huge boost to the offense for the Dodgers, the excitement about the team went through the roof. The Manny dreadlocks flew off the shelves, as well as the Manny jerseys in Dodger blue. That is not something that happens every day, especially with a player that is considered to be a problem at times. Manny came to Los Angeles and was the model ballplayer. Then the offseason began.

You had to know that Manny was going to make the Dodgers sweat a little bit. He wanted the maximum payout, and the best conditions for his contract and who could blame him? Not only did Manny get the best deal he could have, but he ended up where he belonged in the end. The Dodgers are surely glad, and from all appearances, so is Manny Ramirez.

When next offseason comes calling and Manny Ramirez is once again “testing” the free agent market, do not be surprised if the Yankees come calling. They are known for grabbing superstars for huge contracts in the twilight of their careers. Especially one like Manny. You know. Former Boston player, home run hitter, popular among the fans, and really, really expensive. It is something that the Dodger fans would be wise to consider, so that they can enjoy Manny for the year that they have him.

Hopefully, he will help them win that elusive World Series Title…Then the payday would really be great.

Michael Young – Young is one of those guys that every fantasy baseball team loves to have. Virtually every single game he produces something to help your team out, and rarely takes anything away. He has a little of everything in his game, and is consistently among the league leaders at his position. He is the best option in the American League and will improve on last years already strong numbers.

Derek Jeter – Jeter just keeps on producing year in and year out with little slow down in sight. The power numbers have started to come down, but it is unclear if that is due to him or the surrounding cast. I would venture to say that if the Yankees needed 15-20 home runs out of Jeter, he could provide them. The fact is, he is destined to be a solid defensive option, that can hit the occasional dinger and get on base alot. Jeter is perfect in that role, especially at this stage of his career. Another solid year should be ahead for the Yankee captain.

Mike Aviles – Aviles burst on the scene last year and one can not help but wonder where in the world he came from. He killed his previous career bests in almost every single category, and his .325 average and double digit homers were particularly strange. The question is, was this one of those seasons where reality sets in and he comes back down to earth? My guess is somewhere in between.

Jhonny Peralta – Peralta had a monster year for himself in 08 with a .276 average, 23 home runs, and 89 Runs driven in. He even found time to steal 3 bases. The year was certainly an eye opener, and his power numbers are for real. I expect that he will drop in average this season, but his home runs and RBIs may actually increase a bit. Peralta is certainly one to watch.

Orlando Cabrera – Cabrera is that position player that is versatile, and finds his way onto my fantasy baseball team every year. His numbers are never amazing, but he finds a way to help out every single game. Like Young, he is a multi-category threat. I will always have room for him when he produces like he has in recent years. Cabrera is also a great player to pick up some extra steals without hurting your average too bad.

While certainly one can understand the business side of this issue for both, this does seem to be splitting apples and oranges here. The Dodgers are likely trying to spread out the money to make room for other players, signings, and potential business ventures. Manny wants to make sure their are no complications in two years when he wants to try to make another splash with yet another team. Manny should absolutely take this deal, as he is not likely to get a better one on the market. Most teams can not afford 45 million over two years for him. Surely he knows this, and the Dodgers do as well.

The simple compromise might be found in the details. The Dodgers could offer Ramirez some interest but with the terms still deferred over time. That seems fair to both sides but it is likely Ramirez would still nix the deal. The issue with Ramirez I believe is that he wants to be free and clear after the two year period. With lingering money being owed, it could hamper his plans for after that year. Ramirez likes to operate from a position of power. No better example of this can be found than right now.

Every single time the Dodgers put an offer on the table to Ramirez, he balks at something. I am beginning to wonder if he even wants to sign with the Dodgers. There is always that possibility that he is holding out hope for some huge deal. Maybe he is avoiding signing to get out of spring training. This scenario is very unlikely because Manny has always been a hard working player. The workings of Manny and agent Scott Boras are a mystery to everyone involved. The fact that Manny put the offer on the table back to the Dodgers for the same amount without the deferred money pretty much shows that he is trying a power play. The Dodgers would be crippling themselves potentially by committing those types of funds to one player in such a short period of time. They need flexible terms, and Manny is not exactly flexible.

Here is a thought. Just send him to the Yankees and move on. They can certainly afford him, and he would fit right in.

Alex Rodriguez – Arod at number one is a very easy decision. As much as he has been in the news with all the drama lately, he is still the best player on the best team in baseball on paper. The Yankees are going to be very strong and Arod may be even better than usual this year with the addition of Teixiera to the Yankee lineup. That is a scary thought for the rest of the Amercian League, but great news for the folks that draft this superstar.

Evan Longoria – Longoria burst onto the scene in a big way with the American League champion Rays last season. Longoria was injued a large part of the year last year, and still outproduced the majority of players at this position. Longoria could actually make a run at Arod this season if everything comes together right. He has the natural tools to be an explosive multi-category force in fantasy baseball year after year.

Adrian Beltre – Beltre is the old school pick here, but he just keeps on putting up the numbers. Beltre is that player that never seems to go away. You do not usually notice him, but then look up and he is near the top in most categories. He is consistant if nothing else, and a safe pick at the position. He also is starting to show a bit of age, so if you can pick someone younger, this may be the year to do it.

Chone Figgins – Figgins seems like he is on the verge of something special with his rare combination of talents. This guy is like greased lightening but can never seem to put all the pieces together. Tons of steals, runs, and injuries seem to be Figgins MO the last several seasons. If you could get this guy on the field for a full season, he might just put up some incredible numbers.

Alex Gordon – This is my fantasy baseball breakout star of the year. Gordon has always had the talent to actually produce big numbers, but never quite got the stars lined up correctly. This season, he has a better cast of characters around him and I think he will put it all together. Expect some seriously suprising numbers from him in 2009. I am thinking around .285-30-95 for the former number two pick and college standout.

1. The Mets and their bullpen just got a whole lot better, though that was an easy task. The last couple of years the Mets bullpen nearly singlehandedly ruined two fantastic years in New York. This season, they signed arguably the most prolific reliever in baseball with the signing of K-rod, Francisco Rodriguez. He should be a huge upgrade from the problems of last year, but just in case, they also traded for former Mariner JJ Putz. Putz is about as solid as relievers get in baseball. The Mets look a whole lot different in the eighth and ninth innings now. How that helps against the Phillies remains to be seen.

2. Though it did not get much press, the Dodgers resigning of shortstop Rafael Furcal is huge. With Furcal in the lineup, the Dodgers are a completely different team. They suddenly become a high scoring machine that can drop runs on anybody. Without him, they still got by thanks to a monster year from Manny after coming over from Boston. This season, however, Manny is no sure bet to be in Dodger blue, though the Dodgers seem to think he will be. Either way, the resigning of Furcal is huge for the Dodgers on offense and defense.

3. The signing of Milton Bradley by the Chicago Cubs has some folks scratching their heads. For one, Bradley is a constant injury machine. He stays hurt. Last year, he stayed healthy only because he was a DH. This year, he returns to the field in the National League and the high probability that he will again be injured. Add to that the fact that he is sometimes moody and a bad locker room guy and one has to wonder why the Cubs payed him 30 million dollars. One reason is because when Bradley is not hurt, he is an absolute force at the plate. The Cubs rolled the dice big with this one.

4. The Phillies rode a rollercoaster this offseason with all of the potential arbitration hearings and so forth. Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, etc.. How in the world did they find the time to pull a magic rabbit out of their proverbial hats? The Phillies made a very deft and impressive move in left field during the offseason. For years, the Phillies have dealt with the low batting averages, and strikeouts of the power hitting Pat Burrell. Also, left field has been a bit of an adventure in recent years. The Phillies solved all those problems by sending Burrell off to the Rays, and replacing him with Mr. Steady, Raul Ibanez. Ibanez is a great fielder, and is just as productive at the plate as Burrell minus the strikeouts and average woes. Ibanez is not quite the home run threat that Burrell is, but he still gets his share. Expect around 25 home runs from this under the radar star.

5. The San Francisco Giants finally made a media splash without the name Barry Bonds headlining the copy. They signed the long and lean Randy Johnson to a one year deal for 8 million dollars. What makes this effective for the Giants is that he is added to an already impressive Giants pitching staff. The Giants must have liked what they saw from Johnson last year as he posted solid numbers with the Diamondbacks. In spite of his age of 45 years, and 4000+ innings, Johnson is still a difference maker on any team he signs with.