Opening Opportunities on Opening Day

Adam Dunn figures to be a huge difference maker for the White Sox in 2011.

Courtesy of WhiteSoxTalk.com

Opening Day began in Major League Baseball Thursday and Friday, with many new faces acquired over the offseason making their debut with new teams.

Adam Dunn, signed to a 4-year, $56 million contract over the offseason by the Chicago White Sox, made a good first impression, blasting a homerun in his second at-bat of the game while driving in four runs.

The big power hitter seems fit to make a big impact for the South Siders this season, as he will begin his first season as a full-time designated hitter.

Victor Martinez, signed to a $50 million deal in the winter by the Detroit Tigers, began his season as a DH, despite being a catcher throughout his career. It seems as though the Tigers were weary of his defensive skills, prompting them to move him into his current role.

The former Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox player collected a single in four at-bats on Opening Day, leaving two on base hitting behind the fearsome duo of Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez. Despite his lack of power in the first game of the year, Martinez should provide some pop and energy to a team that missed the playoffs last year with an 81-81 record.

Busch Stadium saw a good deal of newcomers between the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals. Cameron Maybin, acquired from the Florida Marlins over the offseason by the Padres, made a diving catch in the first inning along with a game-tying homerun in the ninth.

Lance Berkman, signed by the Cardinals to roam right field despite not playing there in four seasons, went two for four while playing decent defense.

Ryan Theriot, the Cardinals’ new shortstop who was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers, collected a hit in the leadoff spot, but also made a fielding gaffe that allowed the go-ahead run for the Padres to score in the eleventh inning. Seeing his defensive struggles may have prompted some to believe that the trading of defensive whiz Brendan Ryan was not the best idea.

Ryan Theriot will have to improve on his shortstop fielding abilities to impress the Cardinals this season.

Courtesy of Bleacher Nation

Amongst the biggest offseason acquisitions were the Red Sox picking up first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres and signing outfield Carl Crawford to a seven year, $142 million contract. Gonzalez went two for four in his debut, driving in three runs. Crawford struggled in his first game with the Sox, failing to collect a hit in four at-bats with three strikeouts.

So, based on Opening Day statistics, it seems that many Major League teams made good moves this offseason. Then again, one game doesn’t determine how the rest of the season will play out. Many of these players could fall into obscurity despite their massive salaries, or they could rise into a new light where they earn their multi-million dollar paycheck.