Baseball: Five things to look for in spring training

1. WHERE IS THE CONTROVERSY?

Last year, baseball was in the midst of the steroid blame-game, with Alex Rodriguez front and center. This year, it’s suspiciously quiet. No rumors, no innuendos, no pictures of A-Rod in the New York tabloids. Manny hasn’t been being Manny. There haven’t been any bitter contract squabbles or off-the-field incidents.

Perhaps the biggest story has been the admission of steroid use by Mark McGwire, above, to several media outlets as he prepared to begin his duties as hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. And that blew over relatively fast, despite McGwire’s ridiculous assertion that steroids never helped him hit the ball farther.

But don’t expect the quiet to remain. Soon, a player will be unhappy with his role, or another book or allegation will surface. It’s become an annual rite, just like spring training.

2. THE AMAZING METS' MESS

Rarely do the New York tabloids run out of things to mock on their back covers, but the Mets have provided plenty of fodder in the slowest of times. Whether it was seemingly overpaying for outfielder Jason Bay, whose power doesn’t seem to translate well to cavernous Citi Field, or Carlos Beltran, above, having knee surgery a month ago without consulting the team, meaning he’ll miss a month of the regular season, it’s been an amazing mess.

Let’s not forget that the Mets underachieved last season with a 70-92 record due to injuries to Beltran, shortstop Jose Reyes (hamstring surgery), ace left-hander Johan Santana (elbow surgery), horrible seasons from pitchers Oliver Perez and Mike Pelfrey and an overall lack of talent.

This year, they have a $140 million payroll and most people think they will finish no better than third in the NL East, even under optimal conditions. Perhaps it’s time to start the office pools as to when general manager Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel will be fired.

3. RECOVERY OF KEY PITCHERS

There are few things more uncertain than the recovery of pitchers from offseason surgery. And yet each year, teams have to hope key pitchers will return from injuries and become their former selves.

This season, several teams’ success will be directly tied to pitchers returning from injury.

Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb, above, is returning from labrum surgery, and the Mets are banking on Santana. Both are No. 1 starters and vital to their teams.

Other recovering front-line starters include Jeff Francis of the Rockies, Ben Sheets of the A’s, Jake Westbrook of the Indians, Tim Hudson of the Braves and Erik Bedard of the Mariners.

4. FIRST TEAM LABELED 'WORST'

Usually it’s a pretty safe bet the honor will go to the Washington Nationals, who have lost more than 100 games the past two seasons. But it appears the Nats are somewhat better.

Yes, the signing of players such as Jason Marquis and Pudge Rodriguez, above, is nothing more than placing aging bandages on gaping wounds, but they should make Washington better.

There are teams with vastly worse problems than the Nationals.

The Kansas City Royals continue to generate insults and cries of pain with questionable personnel moves. They traded for Yuniesky Betancourt last year, and signed Jason Kendall to a two-year, $6 million contract in the offseason. These are the types of moves that help a team go from 97 losses to 101 losses.

If the Royals aren’t the worst, watch out for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres, who could overtake the Nationals as the worst team.

5. CAN ANYONE BEAT THE YANKEES?

There was some sentiment last season that it’s good for baseball when the Yankees win the World Series – though you’d be hard-pressed to find any non-Yankees fan, who would agree.

They were easily the best team last year, and they added outfielder Curtis Granderson, above, and pitcher Javier Vazquez to a loaded roster.

But can they repeat? Well, it starts in their own division. The Boston Red Sox added right-hander John Lackey to a rotation that features Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and a healthy Daisuke Matsuzaka. They also got better on defense by adding center fielder Mike Cameron and third baseman Adrian Beltre.

The Tampa Bay Rays could also contend in the AL East using the core that got them to the 2008 World Series. The key will be a better start.

Out of the division, the Twins and Mariners are greatly improved, and the Angels are solid despite defections.

In the National League, the Phillies weren’t intimidated by the Yankees in the World Series, and the addition of Roy Halladay to the staff and the return of some position players make them the favorite. The St. Louis Cardinals will have Matt Holliday for a whole season.

Ryan Divish, staff writer