A common perception exists among sports writers and Major League Baseball's leadership that baseball needs to change because only two or three teams from each league are capable of winning the World Series each season.

On the surface the perception may have some validity, but don't tell that to the players. They never enter a season thinking their team can't win. Everyone feels they have a chance.

	Bobby Abreu and the Phillies were surprise playoff contenders last season.

Some of baseball's greatest stories are about underdogs doing something special: Bill Mazeroski's dramatic home run to beat the mighty Yankees in 1960; the "Miracle" Mets of 1969; the Minnesota Twins going from worst to first to win the World Series in 1991.

That's what drives baseball players, a hope that anything can happen each season. A .220 hitter dreams of hitting .300. A pitcher who won 10 games dreams of winning 20. A sure-handed infielder dreams of winning a Gold Glove. A sub-.500 team dreams of making the playoffs.

The endless possibilities are what make baseball great. As last season proved, no one should be counted out. Nobody would have expected the Twins to start so quickly, or the Phillies to challenge for a playoff berth, or the Mariners to tie a major-league record with 116 wins, especially after losing Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez over three straight seasons.

If a team gets off to a good start, chances are it will compete strongly for at least a playoff spot for the rest of the season. Baseball is as much about confidence as it is about talent.

So as a new baseball season gets set to begin, remember this: If they can make curling an Olympic sport, anything is possible.

Here are my thoughts on five key questions going into the season:

1. Are the new-look Yankees better than they were a year ago?
The Yankees may have more talent, but they may not be a better team. The players they lost in the offseason -- Tino Martinez to the Cardinals and Paul O'Neill and Scott Brosius to retirement -- had great character and were a big part of a cohesive unit and the Yankee mystique.

Martinez was the team's most consistent run producer, driving in more than 100 runs in five of his six seasons as a Yankee. O'Neill didn't talk much, but he led by example. Brosius became a big-time postseason performer. They helped give the team confidence it could win in the postseason.

Don't Count On Cap

I have spoken to several fans who think baseball needs a salary cap. My advice? Be careful what you wish for. People think the NFL has a perfect salary-cap system, one that works. But look at what happens in the NFL's offseason. For salary-cap reasons, teams have to cut good players who helped them win championships. The Baltimore Ravens have had to purge much of its roster. Last season they signed Elvis Grbac to a five-year, $30 million, and he played only one year. Which way should baseball go? Should the owners have to cut players or should the players to be able to move freely? In either case, a team's best players will be gone. A salary cap is not paradise. Teams may end up beating the salary cap or finding a way around it, but in the end, they have to cut their players. As a Phillies fan, would you want them to cut Scott Rolen because his salary puts them well above the cap? As a Twins fan, would you want the salary cap to be the reason why Doug Mientkiewicz was released? A salary cap is not the answer. While I don't claim to have the ultimate solution, economic responsibility would be a good place to start. Teams tend to overspend on players who don't pay off. The Dodgers gave Darren Dreifort a five-year, $51 million deal even though his career had been marked by injury and inconsistency. The Orioles have spent millions of dollars, but where has it gotten them? Teams make mistakes and then want to blame the players. But mistakes are made when talent is improperly evaluated and money is mismanaged. Try fiscal responsibility before implementing a salary cap. --Joe Morgan

That confidence doesn't automatically get passed along to the new players, none of whom have won a championship. Foremost among the Yankees' acquisitions was Jason Giambi, whose impact will be with his bat only. Whether or not he helps the Yankees will depend on how he hits because he doesn't run well or play great defense.

Regardless of their additions and subtractions, the Yankees are still the team to beat in the American League. And if they are short a pitcher or a hitter, no team is better than the Yankees at acquiring the right player to fit their needs. At the same time Joe Torre knows his players and how to get the most out of them. That's why the Yankees are favored every year. This season is no different.

2. Can the Arizona Diamondbacks repeat as world champions?
Any time a team starts with Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, it has a chance of repeating. If the Diamondbacks had gotten David Wells in the offseason, he would have given them a better chance. After missing last season with a nerve problem, Todd Stottlemyre is reportedly back, but we will have to wait and see how he holds up. He has already suffered a setback during spring training.

Arizona will have a difficult time trying to repeat, even though the Yankees made a practice of it. Last season the Diamondbacks got help from several different areas; everything fell their way. I don't see the same thing happening. With Johnson and Schilling both healthy, it will be tough for any team to unseat them. But keep an eye on the Giants. They are improved and are the only other team in the NL West that knows how to win.

3. What do you expect Barry Bonds to do for an encore?
I don't expect Bonds to hit 74 home runs. Although he walked a record 177 times last season, pitchers may walk him even more this season. But it depends on his approach. I think Bonds has to be more aggressive this year in order to help the Giants win a championship.

Last year he took a lot of walks, something he had to do under the circumstances. This season, however, he may have to swing at balls out of the strike zone every once in a while. Otherwise, pitchers will pretty much make him null and void whenever there is a chance for him to beat them.

With a more aggressive approach, Bonds may sacrifice his on-base percentage, but I still think he will get on base because he will hit for a higher average.

The team around Bonds should be improved and give Arizona a run. It may take time for Jeff Kent to fully recover from his broken wrist and get back into hitting shape. The Giants made a positive move to add Reggie Sanders. I also like the addition of Tsuyoshi Shinjo. While not a star, Shinjo has charisma; he has fun playing the game. His enthusiasm should rub off on the bland Giants, a team that lacks many fun-loving personalities.

4. Can the Braves hold off the Mets and Phillies to once again reign in the NL East?
The addition of Gary Sheffield was a huge plus for Atlanta. I'm a big Sheffield fan; he can carry a team's offense for weeks at a time by himself. When the Braves' pitching staff is clicking, they only need a few runs a game. Sheffield and Chipper Jones should supply plenty of offense. Plus, Sheffield will provide protection for Chipper.

As for the Mets, will their pitching be good enough? With the additions of Mo Vaughn, Roberto Alomar and Jeromy Burnitz, they addressed their problems on offense, which was the weakest in the majors last season. Now they have to see what their pitching can do with a rotation that includes Al Leiter, Pedro Astacio, Shawn Estes and Steve Trachsel. The Mets should improve on their 82-win season and present a stronger challenge to the Braves.

The Phillies did little in the offseason to improve themselves or cover their weaknesses. They could be better because their young players will have another year of experience after being in the division race a year ago. One positive is that they get catcher Mike Lieberthal back healthy.

I still favor the Braves in the NL East, especially with Sheffield in their lineup. But watch out for the Mets. If their pitching can do the job, they can end Atlanta's decade-long reign.

5. Who is the top sleeper team in the NL and AL?
The Florida Marlins are my sleeper team in the NL. I like their young pitchers -- A.J. Burnett, Ryan Dempster, Brad Penny and Josh Beckett -- and they now have a year of more experience. It may sound strange, but I even think the Pittsburgh Pirates could be a sleeper in the NL as well.

My sleeper team in the AL is the Chicago White Sox. They get Frank Thomas back. They are better defensively, their lineup is solid, and their pitching has good, young arms. I particularly like left-hander Mark Buerhle. I would pick the White Sox to do something special in the AL.

Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan is a baseball analyst for ESPN. He and Jon Miller return to Sunday Night Baseball again this season.