[Chief Rum]

And it begins...the season kicks off on March 30 in the game, although the first game isn't until April 3 (Boston @ New York Yankees)

Teams Make Roster Moves (March 30)

Around the league, the computers get their first crack at making their own adjustments to the squads, and a ton of promoting and demoting takes place.

No free agents are signed, but Japanese MR Otomaro Masaru announced he has been freed from his contract with his Japanese Baseball League club and will submit his papers to become a free agent in the United States. The 30-year-old soft thrower has pinpoint control, and scouts say he can be a decent arm out of the pen. No rumors yet as to whom might be interested in signing him.

Florida Prospect Missing (March 31)

The Marlins' prospect SP Jason Vargas was reported missing by family members after he failed to return from a yachting trip in Florida. The pitcher, the Marlins #2 prospect and ranked 75th by Baseball America, reportedly took the yacht out of the Miami port Thursday afternoon with friends.

The United States Coast Guard has begun a search of the Florida coastline in hopes of tracking down the missing player and his friends. Foul play is not expected, but authorities aren't ruling out anything.

Vargas bought the yacht as a gift to himself for earning some of the bonus money he received as a high draft pick in 2003. He was only supposed to go out on a three-day tour before returning to port and reporting to Jupiter, FL, the home of the Marlins' Single A affiliate.

ChiSox, 'Stros Exchange Sluggers; Braves Pick Up Outfielder (April 1)

The Astros and White Sox pulled off the first major trade of the new season, with the Chicago team looking for more offense from the hot corner by acquiring 3B Morgan Ensberg for vet RF Jermaine Dye and Single A prospect SP Wes Whisler.

Ensberg hit just 10 HRs last season, but clubbed 25 two years ago. He will compete with Joe Crede for the start at 3B, while the White Sox shouldn't miss removing Dye from a loaded outfield that already includes Scott Posednik, Aaron Rowand, and Carl Everett. Ensberg is also younger than Dye (29 to 31) and cheaper (making close to the minimum against $5 M through 2006 for Dye).

The Astros' gain a legitimate proven power bat for their lineup, helping to fill the hole left by the departure of Carlos Beltran to the Mets in the offseason, and have Mike Lamb around to man the hot corner. Dye hit 23 HRs and had 80 RBIs in 2004. Wisler will start at Single A, but is considered just a decent prospect.

Comment: I think this is a deal that helps both teams field better overall lineups, although the Sox really need Ensberg to return to the form he showed in 2003.

The Braves acquired LF Todd Hollandsworth from the Cubs for AAA prospect SS Yuniel Escobar. Hollandsworth, a reserve with the Cubs last year, hit a surprising .318 with 8 homeruns in limited time, and should compete with RF John Barnes for a starting spot in the Braves' lineup. Escobar was assigned to Iowa, the Cubs' AAA affiliate.

Season Opens In Yankee Stadium (April 3)

The Yankees got some little measure of revenge for last year's dubious ALCS collapse, beating Curt Schilling and the BoSox on Opening Night, 5-3.

The win comes at a cost, though, as big time offseason acquisition SP Randy Johnson left the game in the second inning with tightness in his throwing shoulder. He was placed on the DL after the game, but is not expected to need additional time after his stay there. The pen, led by Tom Gordon limited the Sox to three runs over eight innings (two of which were charged to Johnson).

LF Hideki Matsui went 3-4 and drove in 3 runs, including a two-run double in the fourth inning. The Sox didn't help their own cause with critical errors by Schilling and 2B Mark Bellhorn.

There was a moment of prayer before the game for missing Florida Marlins' prospect Jason Vargas, who has still not been found.