Major League Baseball has been under intense scrutiny during this off season and you don’t need to be a sports fan to know this! I won’t give up on the sport in spite of a few bad apples (okay, more than a few bad apples) and legends like Hank Aaron have said that they know the sport can move on.
As fans gear up for the 2008 season, how can we tell what to expect from our teams? If your team is one of these that I mention, I have a few ideas:

Tampa Bay Devil Rays: For the last week, Barry watch has been in full swing. The rumor in the ESPN, and blogs everywhere is that the team is looking to sign the “homeless” home run king. Look for this team to be surrounded in controversy either way. The area fans are basically demanding something change with the squad.

Los Angeles Dodgers: With their 50th anniversary in Los Angeles this year, Joe Torre and some new bats and pitchers have been added. The start of the season is sure to be exciting and the signs point to a winning year. Fans will certainly be optimistic and fill the stadium as they do every year.

New York Yankees: Signs seem to point to a rocky season in the Big Apple. With a new skipper, overpaid players, and steroid-scandal questions they’ll probably still fill the seats and at least make the first round.

Other teams: Offseason scandals, arrests, and trades definitely affect your local favorites. If your star players are healthy and not up to newsworthy antics, you’ll likely have a great season. If the media relentlessly asks your team about the Mitchell Report, off-season arrests, or other shenanigans there may be distractions that hinder the overall performance.

The truth is, there is no Magic 8 Ball to tell you what the season will bring – but that is one of the things that make the game so exciting!