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As fans in Mets merchandise head to the team’s Spring Training opener in Port St. Lucie, Florida, they do so with many questions heading into 2010. As evidenced by the sale of his MLB apparel, many fans think Jason Bay will shine in the middle of the lineup. Acquired through free agency, the 31-year slugger swatted 36 home runs for the Red Sox last season.

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The question many contemplate is how the Amazin’s will set their rotation after Johan Santana. While names like Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine figure into the equation, none of the aforementioned have done much to quell doubts in the past two seasons.

The Mets open the regular season Monday April 5th against the Florida Marlins.

It’s tough to say a player is going to have a breakout season when they’ve already popped 103 home runs in their first three years in the Majors, but that’s what many are expecting out of Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun. Already one of the game’s greatest hitters, Braun increased his workout regiment this winter and came to camp three days early. Speaking with MLB.com, Braun noted a new love for literature along with his forecast for 2010: greatness. While Brewers memorabilia collectors who’ve collected Ryan Braun autographs would love to see a new ceiling for their starting left fielder, a lot can be said for his first three seasons in the Majors.

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Braun’s home run total (103) in his first three seasons puts him in a class along with Albert Pujols (114), Joe DiMaggio (107) and Eddie Matthews (102).

Fans who’ve collected Manny Ramirez autographs or followed the slugger during his big league career know he, nor his mouth, is very shy. Ramirez made waves amongst fans in Dodgers merchandise this morning when the 37-year old told Los Angeles media he “won’t be here next year”, referencing both his contract and career status.

2009 was a tough year for Ramirez, one that saw a tepid year at the plate cut short by a 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drug use. The left fielder noted that he’d how to see how body felt after this season to determine if he’d play again in 2011.

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The Dodgers are set to open the 2010 regular season Monday April 5th on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

There used to be a positive stigma attached to Eric Gagne: Game Over.

The former Dodgers closer electrified fans and Dodgers memorabilia collectors around the country during an unprecedented stretch where he recorded 84 saves in three Major League seasons. While his star has fallen in the light of pedestrian seasons on the mound and his inclusion in the Mitchell Report, collectors of Eric Gagne autographs have to be thrilled to hear the 34-year old is back in Los Angeles on a minor league deal. With an invite to spring training, Gagne will be auditioning for a spot in the Dodgers’ bullpen in front of current closer Jonathon Broxton.

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It seems Daisuke Matsuzaka cannot shake the injury bug.

After a 2009 riddled with right shoulder issues, the 29-year old reported to Red Sox camp with a sore upper back. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein says the ailment isn’t more than a strain.

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The news is disappointing to Red Sox merchandise collectors and fans who’ve invested in the Japanese import’s autographed baseball memorabilia over the past three seasons. Despite being one of the most popular players in Boston, Matsuzaka struggled mightily last season. His ERA ballooned to 5.76 as he recorded a rotation-worst 4-6 record. After an offseason dedicated to losing weight and getting in overall better shape, team officials hope the strain isn’t more than a hiccup heading into the regular season.

Fans in the Bay Area who’ve collected Tim Lincecum autographs have to be happy to the hear the 25-year old righty and the San Francisco Giants have hammered out a two-year deal and will avoid arbitration. Lincecum has a career 40-17 record and has won two Cy Young awards in his first two years at the Major League level. The deal is believed to be in the range of $23 million.

Even though his autographed MLB memorabilia was a hit in the Bronx this past year, it appears Johnny Damon will be heading to Detroit. The Tigers are believed to have offered the 35-year old outfielder a one-year contract for $7 million. Damon hit .282 with a career-high 24 home runs in 2009.

Yesterday was a day for future Hall of Famers to officially hang up their MLB equipment, as both 300-game winner Tom Glavine and 500-home run club member Frank Thomas officially retired. Neither Thomas nor Glavine played in 2009.

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Fans and baseball memorabilia collectors know his struggles in free agency well, but it looks as if Johnny Damon might finally have a team to call his own. The 36-year old has reportedly received a one-year offer from the Atlanta Braves. The offer is believed to be in the $2-4 million range. Damon became not only a favorite of the Bleacher Creatures but also Yankees memorabilia collectors during his four-year stay in the Bronx. After a career year in 2009, Damon completely struck out in free agency, turning down a $12 million deal from the Yanks with hopes of landing larger money elsewhere. When those offers never came in, Damon’s ego had to take a hit, especially after the Yankees signed veteran outfielder Randy Winn to help patrol left field in 2010.

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Damon hit .282 while cranking a career-high 24 home runs in 2009.

Fans who’ve been collecting his autographed Yankees items have been waiting for him to step up to the starting rotation for the past two years. It appears Joba Chamberlain is finally ready to oblige them. The 24-year old, whose potent high-90s fastball and eccentric on-the-mound personality made Joba Chamberlain autographs hot items for the better part of the past two years, will head to Spring Training with one goal: win the Yankees’ No. 5 slot in the starting rotation.Chamberlain will likely face fierce competition from fellow youngster Phil Hughes. The two came through the Bombers’ farm system at the same time and have been linked for the better part of the last decade.It looks like whoever loses out to the fifth spot in the rotation will be a front runner to take over the eighth inning duties.

It’s been a long time since fans and Mariners memorabilia collectors have had a lot to cheer about. With a 2010 spring roster that includes Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, Felix Hernandez along with new arrivals Cliff Lee and Chone Figgins, it’s definitely time for excited fans in Seattle to break out their MLB apparel.

Such excitement in the city could be seen at the team’s weekend FanFest, a two-day celebration for fans to get a closeup view of Safeco Field while scoring baseball autographs from their favorite past and present players. After drawing just over 8,500 visitors a season ago, the Fest drew over 16,000 this past weekend. One can look at the busy winter and the arrivals of All-Stars Figgins and Lee as a catalyst for the huge turnout.

Fans in Seattle will get to see their new Mariners on the field Monday April 5th when they open the season in Oakland against the Athletics.

Even during his two-season stint in Houston, fans and Orioles memorabilia collectors still had a soft spot for Miguel Tejada. The six-time All-Star’s autographed MLB merchandise and authentic baseball jerseys were still popular in the Baltimore area, making news of his recent reunion with the team all the more welcome. Tejada was reintroduced to the Baltimore media yesterday just five days after signing a one-year, $6 million deal to return to the Orioles as their everyday third baseman.

In a lineup filled with on-the-verge superstars a la Nick Markakis, Matt Wieters, Luke Scott and Adam Jones, Tejada’s bat and veteran presence may finally put the O-birds over the .500 mark for the first time since 1997.