MLB: Spring training begins in next few days

The Super Bowl hit a deep freeze, NBA teams got stranded in blizzards, an NHL game was iced by a snowstorm.

Most everywhere, the winter weather is wicked. Good thing the weekend forecast in Arizona and Florida calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s: King Felix, Joe Mauer and friends are coming.

Spring training is starting up. Let's trade ski masks for catcher's masks. And pitchers, take off your mittens and put on those mitts.

Just in time, right?

"I would say there might be some of them from the Midwest or Northeast who might go to their respective spring training places and accelerate the real estate market," Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "Unless they really like being behind a snow blower."

Even before the sunscreen mixes with pine tar, Bruce Bochy is eager.

World Series champions always want to get going. The San Francisco Giants manager and his players are among the many teams opening camp in the next few days.

"Especially some of them who have been in this harsh weather we've had this winter, they're looking forward to getting to spring training," Bochy said.

"I also think when you get two or three weeks off, you start getting a little bit itchy. Then when it gets to late January, you're ready. You're ready to get back and see your teammates, getting back on the field and getting ready for the season," he said.

In many places, that means new pals.

Cliff Lee, back in Philadelphia after a one-year absence. Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon, taking their hair-raising antics to Tampa Bay. Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, now swinging for Boston. Vladimir Guerrero, Jayson Werth, Vernon Wells, Dan Uggla and World Series MVP Edgar Renteria, all switching uniforms.

Shaun Marcum already is looking way ahead. Traded from Toronto to Milwaukee, he was part of the Brewers' busy winter - they also acquired former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke from Kansas City.

"Nothing against Toronto as an organization, but this is the first time I've gone through the offseason working out and thinking that I'm going to be pitching in October and not ending my season Oct. 2. I'm working hard knowing that I'm going to be pitching Oct. 23, Oct. 24 - just throwing those dates out there," Marcum said.

But there's plenty of time until then. A lot to do, in fact, before the pitching-rich Phillies host Florida State on Feb. 24 in the first exhibition game of the year.

Still to be decided: Albert Pujols and his contract status. The three-time NL MVP set a deadline for the start of his spring training - either he gets a new deal with the St. Louis Cardinals or he'll cut off talks until he becomes a free agent after the season.

In the meantime, Cardinals newcomer Lance Berkman is looking forward to joining a lineup with the star slugger.

"I feel like this is a legitimate World Series contender, I really in my heart believe that. I'm not trying to do like Rex Ryan and put something out there and make everybody mad, I feel like we've got a great team."

Just as it should be this weekend, when teams break out the bats, balls and eternal hope.