April 2, 2006. Opening Day 2006 (it's day before my birthday too, just in case Jeter, A-Rod, etc. happen to read this site and feel picking me up a little something after the game).

Baseball dealings have quieted down quite a bit and most of the big names are off the table (excluding all this talk about a Manny and Miggy blockbuster) so to whet fan appetites a little, ESPN has put together a page with the projected starters for each team, both in the AL and the NL. They've bolded any new aquistions so it gives you a concise way to see how the faces on each team has changed. For instance, take a look at Florida's projection (this is just ESPN guessing, of course); five of the nine starters are rookies. Also, after losing 104 games in 2004 and 106 games last year, Kansas City is welcoming seven new players to its depth chart. Still, looking at the new guys, does anyone see why that team would be that much better in 2006?

It's not much, but it might give you some ideas for early fantasy drafts and before you know it, pitchers and catchers will be reporting, spring training will be in full swing and then, we fans can start having anxiety about in-game issues again.