From top left: Barry Bonds, Cleveland Indians' C.C. Sabathia, Tampa Bay Rays' B.J. Upton, Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera, Colorado Rockies' Brad Hawpe, Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins
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6. Houston, We Have a Problem
In December, the Astros traded for Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, a former American League MVP. A day later, he was named in the Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball. Then, in January, the House of Representatives asked the Justice Department to investigate whether Tejada lied in 2005 to committee staff about his drug use (at the time, the committee was investigating whether Rafael Palemeiro had lied under oath). Tejada has stayed mum this spring; expect derisive chants to dog the team all year.
7. Rays of Hope
It's been a tired refrain the last few seasons: A cadre of young prospects will finally make the Rays (Devils no more) competitive. But last we checked, in its first decade the franchise still has never won more than 70 games. So why should this year be any different? Start with lefty pitcher Scott Kazmir, who is maturing into an ace, and throw in rising stars like Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena. Of course, this is the Rays we're talking about, so be careful about betting on their success: Kazmir is starting the season on the DL.
8. Phil-Harmonic
Quick, name the 2007 National League MVP. Had to hesitate, right? That's what Jimmy Rollins gets for playing in Philadelphia, the city permanently perched in the shadow of its flashier neighbor 100-odd miles to the northeast . Also remember: The Phils won the NL East last year, and can smack the cover off the ball: six players on the roster hit more than 20 homers in '07. Philadelphia's wild card is new closer Brad Lidge, the former Houston Astros All-Star who hasn't been the same pitcher since Albert Pujols launched his slider into space during the 2005 playoffs.
9. D.C. Digs
I know, during a heated election year, we can all use a break from Washington. But the Nationals have a sparkling new, environmentally friendly stadium right on the Anacostia River. This being our nation's capital, many are mad about its cost — over $670 million, almost all of it funded by the city. On the field, the Nats took a political risk by acquiring outfielder Elijah Dukes from Tampa Bay. Dukes has loads of talent, but a troubled past marred by many run-ins with the law.
10. Up with Uptons
In 2007 B.J. Upton, 23, center fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays, became the first player in team history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in the same season. Baby brother outfielder Justin, 20, got a call-up to the Arizona Diamondbacks last August, and is slated to start in right field. The Uptons, from Norfolk, Va., are living up to high expectations — B.J. was drafted second overall in 2002, while Justin was the top pick of the '05 draft.