Baseball Roundup from Spring Training

It's official! Baseball is gearing up for an explosive 2015 season. Here's what is new for 2015 with the Yankees, Mets and Phillies.

First off, the Mets have a promising season ahead of them. Pitching ace Matt Harvey is back, former B-Met Lucas Duda is coming off a great season, and the team acquired John Mayberry Jr. from the Phillies to bolster their bats and defense. Another former B-Met, Zach Wheeler, should have a stellar year that helps propel the team to the playoffs.

For the Yankees, it is the true beginning of rebuilding as they begin the post Jeter era. They also have the Alex Rodgiguez mess to get past. The team is holding their breath that pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is ok after he avoided Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. So far, so good. One issue in the beginning of the season is 30 games in 31 days. According to MLB.com, pitching coach Larry Rothschild is thinking about having a 6 man rotation to ease that heavy weight on the starters. Pitching is the key issue for the Bombers and they have several choices in the bull pen.  I put a question mark on the Yankees chances this year.

The Phillies are no question mark. They will not be competitive this year as they let Mayberry, Jimmy Rollins, and Marlon Byrd plus look to unload many of their current players. They have a new president in Pat Gillick and he is clear that this is a large rebuilding process for the team. Also in the mix is Cole Hamels being very vocal about wanting to be traded. The problem there is no one is biting!

That's the early breakdown. We'll be here to follow all the changes, ups and downs that happen in 2015.