Major League Baseball - Upcoming 2012 Season is fast approaching for Players, will they be ready?

With the holiday season behind us, and everyone getting their new year underway, baseball fans can once again begin to look forward to their favorite sport taking the field again. I‘m sure the spring training facilities in Arizona and Florida are putting the finishing touches on the fields in preparation for all of the ballplayers, and fans, who flock there to see their favorite players take the field.

The 2012 baseball season will already reflect some pretty big changes before the first pitch is thrown on April 4^th. In fact this opening game reflects on of the significant changes mentioned above. The defending champion St. Louis Cardinals will be visiting the Marlins in their brand new stadium. Wait, this is not a significant change you say? Actually it is because the Marlins are not what they used to be. Since their creation back in the 1990’s they have always been called the Florida Marlins. During the off-season they re-branded themselves and are now called the Miami Marlins. No doubt a strategic ploy to entice more local sponsorship, similar to the Angels’ name change a few years ago.

Another change in this game will be the departure of Albert Pujols from the Cardinals. Pujols signed a ten year deal guaranteeing him 240 million dollars to play ball for the Angels. I can’t say I blame him from a weather standpoint. I have been to Anaheim and St. Louis and it really is not a fair comparison between the two cities.

2012 game tickets and schedules can be found by visiting Major League Baseball's website here. The website also offers a fantasy game for those of us who enjoy playing fantasy baseball.

The 2012 season will also be the last season in the National League for the Houston Astros. As a part of their sale a few months ago they agreed to be placed into the American League West, leaving the National League Central division. This move will give Major League Baseball six divisions with five teams in each division. This realignment will also eliminate that odd man out in the NL when interleague play rolls around.

Every off-season players change teams via free agency, it is just the way baseball is nowadays. As mentioned earlier Albert Pujols will begin the 2012 season with a uniform on that doesn’t say Cardinals for the first time in his Major League career. Some other big names will also be playing for new teams in the upcoming season and their local fan base has to be excited to see them get on the field.

Jose Reyes left the New York Mets, heading south to play shortstop for the Miami Marlins. His signing displaced all-star Hanley Ramirez to third base but, after some initial grumbling, all appears well in Miami. Left handed pitcher Mark Buerhle also inked a long term deal with the fish joining his former skipper Ozzie Guillen in those futuristic Marlins uniforms.

The Texas Rangers made it two years in a row, losing their ace left handed starter, when CJ Wilson took a 75 million dollar deal from the Angels. The previous season Rangers fans saw Cliff Lee leave to return to the Philadelphia Phillies so at least fans had seen this movie before; probably still don’t like the ending though.

The Boston Red Sox will start the new season with a new general manager; Theo Epstein is now the GM for the Chicago Cubs. The also elected to not bring back long time manager Terry Francona and were content allowing closer Jonathan Papelbon sign with the Phillies. They did decide to bring back David Ortiz but there probably isn’t much left in his tank.

Not all free agents decided to see if the grass was greener on the other side. Players like Jimmie Rollins stayed with the Phillies, Grady Sizemore re-signed with the Indians and Coco Crisp (afro and all) with come back to the A’s.

Every new season brings a fresh start for many organizations, while others are still in the dugout trying to figure out what to do. As these great athletes get ready to put on their cleats, fans can rest assured that we will be witnessing some really exciting baseball this year.