Pitchers and catchers will be reporting to spring training around the 15th of February. It really isn't too early to start the planning process for your 2011 fantasy rosters.

I know that RotoWire staff has been hard at work preparing lists and putting the finishing touches on the best fantasy preparation magazine in the business. As we move towards February, more and more minor league contracts will be offered to fringe players and the remaining free agents may be settling for a million or so less than they had dreamed of making. But overall, the money has been flowing and "hope" is a high selling commodity in MLB front offices.

There are some winter transactions that have really caught my eye. I don't really like to elaborate on the traditional "winners and losers" lists and I don't speculate on which team has done well and which team will implode because of a bad winter. However, some things are becoming clear.

To me, the Milwaukee Brewers have become a serious National League contender by strengthening their pitching with Sean Marcum and Zack Greinke. In one of my previous blogs, I indicated I thought the Brewers had to improve their bullpen to contend. They did just that when they signed Takashi Saito and Sean Green to go along with closer John Axford. Saito has had injury problems. However, when healthy, he is very tough in the late innings. Green is inconsistent like many relievers, but his good days are very good.

Many people are ready to concede the American League East and perhaps the World Series to the Red Sox. Granted, they are now an even greater force than last year with the big bats of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford in the middle of the order. But let's not forget that they lost Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez. They were two very solid bats as well. While VMart was a liability behind the plate, a huge hole now exists in that position with Jason Varitek, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Max Ramirez the suspects to choose from. My jury remains out on the Red Sox. I concede the Red Sox are better with the two new stars, but I'm not ready to get in line for World Series tickets.

The Reds are making the moves contenders make when they think they're close. Welcome Fred Lewis for even more speed off the bench or as a platoon starter and Edgar Renteria to add depth at shortstop. Both moves speak to bench strength and depth. Both may in fact defer and/or deter the development of pending stars like Zack Cozart, Juan Francisco, and Chris Heisey, just to name a few. There are only 25 big league roster spots available and the Reds are loaded with talent. The Reds loss of Arthur Rhodes could haunt them. He was outstanding in '10. I look for Aroldis Chapman to work out of the pen and be closing by '12 if he isn't in the rotation. Buy him in keeper leagues for sure. It's just a matter of time until he has fantasy impact.

I heard some interesting predictions and talk the other day at a "Hot Stove Lunch" we have in Phoenix with people involved in baseball. Some in the group were convinced that Vicente Padilla was going to be tried as a closer for the Dodgers. I'm not buying that. We should watch that during spring training.

Speaking of closers, how about Rafael Soriano giving up a closer's role and signing with the Yankees. At least we know that somebody wants the Yankee millions. Soriano will understudy for Mo Rivera and wait patiently as a set-up man. Good move for New York. I'm not sure it's a good move for Soriano. Isn't Andy Pettitte now the Brett Favre of baseball? Will he pitch? Won't he pitch? Haven't we asked that question for the past few seasons?

Hanley or Tulo? Tulo for me, thank you. I was doing my own lists the other night and that question just popped out at me. I think Tulo will give owners a complete slate of numbers. Hanley is very good, don't get me wrong. But I think his decline in steals is bothersome.
I also think Tulo will score a ton of runs and knock the ball out of the yard more often. Tulo for me.

Jeff Francis is going to try to jump start his stalled motor in Kansas City. I'm not a huge Jeff Francis fan. Sorry. Good park for him and a good team in two more years, but I hope his presence doesn't impede the development of some upcoming stud pitchers. If in fact he makes the team. Let's watch that as well.

If Brandon Webb can come back from his shoulder miseries, think of the infield he'll have to scoop up grounders if the sink returns on his pitches. A left side of the infield with Beltre and Elvis Andrus should save the pitching staff a ton of runs. I'll know more about Webb when I see him this spring and you can be sure I'll be writing about him.

I'm not as sold about the Blue Jays as some other people. Watch carefully to see if Adam Lind is playing 1B during spring training. He will then slot among the players in the deepest position in fantasy. He should improve his numbers from last year, don't you think? Regardless, to me he isn't a top tier 1B. He gave me acid indigestion last year. Enough. Your right, he did have a fairly good second half. but by that time, he was long gone from my roster.

I think Adam Dunn could hit 50 home runs this season. He's in the right park with the right lineup and the right division. What an outstanding sign that was for Kenny Williams and the White Sox.

Rumor from our Hot Stove lunch---Minnesota Twins will leave spring training in Florida and come to Arizona to take Ho Ho Kam Park in Mesa when the Cubs get their new home. Or, if that doesn't work out, they will go to Maryvale where the Brewers train and the Brewers will go to Ho Ho Kam. Ho hum. Such is life in the rumor mill.

Here are my questions for this time:

-The closer in Tampa Bay is?
-Is Brad Hawpe finished and the Padres are wasting time and money?
-Who do you like better in '11, Halladay, Lincecum or Felix the Cat?
-Is there any upside in Stephen Drew's bat? He's getting attention at a weak fantasy position. Why?
-Is Carlos Beltran toast?

I'll be writing more as we approach spring training. I'd like to read your thoughts on the questions above. I'll be attending the Major League Baseball Professional Scout dinner tomorrow night in Los Angeles. I'll be sure to pass along any little bit of information I hear. Until then...let me hear from you.