The Yanks want another World Series win badly.  Why else pay so much for A-Rod?  Still, it its all good for the Bronx Bombers. Since there will be no way for anyone to pitch around the all-world slugger, Rodriguez is bound to post some of the greatest numbers in Yankees history. He'll have runners on base half the time he steps to the plate and could become the first Yankee in 67 years to top 160 RBIs. If he continues to get on base 40 percent of the time, he has a shot to be only the second Yankee in that same time span to top 140 runs. Rodriguez also will have an excellent chance to become the only Yankee righty since Joe DiMaggio (46 HR in 1937) to hit 40 homers in a season.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs may have the single best pitching staff in the National League.  With the addition of Gregg Maddux, there's a feeling in the Windy City that few teams will score many runs against the Cubbies this year.  Couple that with a strong hitting staff and you come up with a team that should meet the expectations of fans after last year's brush with victory.  But the key to Chicago's success may depend on how strong the club is up the middle. Good teams are usually solid defensively with their catcher, second baseman, shortstop and center fielder -- and the Cubs have a few questions left to answer as spring camps open this week.

For more in depth on this and continuing coverage of Spring Training, go to www.mlb.com - the official site of Major League Baseball.