First week of a new season yields some interesting questions

The first week of baseball is in the books. Six games doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the grand scheme of a baseball season. Still, there are questions and talking points from the early going:

Q: The Blue Jays scored 23 runs in beating the Orioles two of three at Camden Yards. Is there any sizzle behind the Blue Jays being a trendy pick to win the American League East this season? Should the Orioles be concerned?

A: No. The Blue Jays lineup is devastating with Jose Bautista, Jose Reyes, Edwin Encarnacion and two new guys, third baseman Josh Donaldson, an AL MVP candidate with Oakland in the last two seasons, and catcher Russell Martin. But starter Marcus Stroman is injured and the rotation's back end is suspect, given its youth. The Blue Jays think that starting prospects Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez are strong enough to give them 200 innings each. That's asking a lot, even with talent. And manager John Gibbons has already made a change at closer, taking Brett Cecil out of the role. He was replaced by 20-year-old Miguel Castro, who was in a setup role when the season started. Castro's role was taken over by Roberto Osuna, another 20-year-old.

Q: Ubaldo Jimenez was amazing in his first start of the season. Should the Orioles expect more good starts?

A: Yes. Jimenez's rebound this season is on par with the word that defines him best: inconsistent. Ask the fans in Colorado and Cleveland. They have each seen firsthand the highs and lows of Jimenez's pitching. For example, in Cleveland in 2013, he was absolutely brutal the first four months of the season before he became lights-out in August and pitched the Indians into the postseason. After a frustrating 2014, it appears the Orioles are in line to see the dominant side of Jimenez for a few months. If history is an indication, he'll be one of the top pitchers in the AL for the next three months and then we'll see what happens.

Q: The rebuilding Atlanta Braves have started 5-1. Is it going to hold?

A: No, but every win the Braves get in April is one less they will need when they try to claw their way back to .500 in September. The team is rebuilding and traded all-world closer Craig Kimbrel the night before the season started. Who does that? The Braves have a history of starting quickly, and apparently, it doesn't matter who they trade away. Last year, the Braves had a set lineup. So far this year, Gonzalez has gotten a lot out of platoons at third (Chris Johnson and Alberto Callaspo), in the outfield (Cameron Maybin and Eric Young) and second base (Phil Gosselin and Jace Pederson). At 38, Jason Grilli is the closer and his setup pitcher is former Oriole Jim Johnson.

Q: If the Braves can trade everyone on their roster, how come the Phillies can't clear their roster of Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jonathan Papelbon?

A: That question gets asked over and over. The Phillies are asking too much for each of the players. They'd be better off lowering their expectations and get on with the rebuilding instead of thinking about how to fleece another team. Having said that, Hamels could be huge trade chip come July. But don't you like talking trades this early in the season?

Q: Detroit and Kansas City are the only undefeated teams left. Which team has more staying power?

A: Both teams are crushing the ball and scoring a ton of runs, nothing new for the Tigers, but new for the Royals. The Tigers scored 47 runs in their first six games, most for their first six games since 1929, when they also scored 47 (and three short of their 1901 total, which is a record). And even though the Tigers pitching staff has the lowest ERA in the AL through six games, it's too early to say that prospect Shane Greene, acquired from the Yankees, and as well the bullpen, which has been suspect for years, has turned it around. The Royals lineup is exploding with runs and the only guy not hitting is Omar Infante. Even the new guys, Kendrys Morales and Alex Rios, who are each likely to show their age as the season rolls on, are pounding the ball. The Royals, though, still have a tight defense, daring baserunning and a lights-out bullpen. The prediction here is that the Royals will finish ahead of the Tigers.

Q: The new commissioner, Rob Manfred, told CNBC that he'll take a fresh look at Pete Rose back into baseball, but Rule No. 21 says anyone betting on baseball is subject to a lifetime ban. Any chance Rose gets back into baseball?

A: It doesn't look good. A betting scandal involving the 1919 Chicago White Sox almost wiped baseball off the map, and that's how Rule 21 came about. It's hard to believe that Manfred, in his first few months in office, would make bringing gambling - or at least the debate about it - back into the game part of his legacy. And, the question that has to be asked: What would be the benefit for baseball if Rose were allowed back? Nothing. The upside is all for Rose. Baseball gets zero. Manfred says he'll take his time in looking at Rose's request, but he shouldn't take too long: The All-Star Game is in Cincinnati this season and Rose's situation will take over the spotlight if Manfred hasn't made a decision by July.

Q: Is it surprising that baseball survived the first week even though Cubs prospect Kris Bryant is in the minor leagues and not with the big team?

A: No. This is the craziest issue in baseball in a long time. People actually thought that Bryant not making the Cubs roster after a powerful spring training would hurt baseball, a sport that has survived a players' strike, cancellation of a World Series and PED suspensions. Agent Scott Boras did his client no favors when he created this stir. Now, when Bryant does come to the majors, he'll have a ton of expectations on his shoulders. He'll be expected to hit three home runs a week. Bryant should fire his agent and start over.