Less than a week until pitchers and catchers are joined by their teammates as they report for spring training.
This is truly the official end of winter, no matter how cold it is or how much snow there is.
Who doesn't think spring when you hear reports about arms, speed and new pitches.
All eyes are on Minnesota and their attempt to keep Joe Mauer under contract.
The best catcher in baseball will be a free agent at the end of the 2010 season and the Twins are under local pressure to keep the local lad on the team.
A brand new ballpark opening this spring will help the Twins' revenue stream but the numbers being mentioned ($250 million for 10 years) could mean that Mauer will make up 25% of the team's payroll, a huge commitment.
Off season moves have helped the Twins, but have also increased their payroll.
Other interesting scenarios may play out this year.
Mark McGuire returns to baseball and is sure to be dogged by questions concerning his use of steroids, his potential Hall of Fame vote and if he is a distraction to the Cardinals.
Has a batting coach ever been booed by the opposing fans before? Speaking of being booed, Manny Ramirez may be booed by Dodger fans before the team plays its first regular season game.
He is already saying that he will not be in LA next year and no one, not even Manny, knows what that means.
To steal from Alex Karras: right player, wrong planet.
Get ready for spring!