Updated position battles
Here’s an update on every remaining position battle we could find, and it will probably help AL- and NL-only players more than mixed leaguers. The list doesn’t include closers, as they were covered earlier in the week.
Instead of being selective, this article is basically a brain dump of all the spring competitions. If you think we’re missing some or have incorrect information, please post a comment below. Thanks.
Hitters
Nationals, center field
Rick Ankiel, Nyjer Morgan and Roger Bernadina are the candidates. The Nats’ website reported on Tuesday that a “baseball source” said the team was leaning toward Ankiel, with Morgan as the main competition. Too bad, as Bernadina could be the best fantasy player of the bunch. If I had to bet on one of these guys as the starter today, it would be Morgan. Ankiel has power, but doesn’t get on base enough.
Marlins, third base
Matt Dominguez has gone 1-for-28 in the last week or so, and now appears headed for Triple A. The Fish will probably make a decision by the weekend, with Donnie Murphy the best option over Emilio Bonifacio and Wes Helms. They want to keep Omar Infante at second base instead of employing his versatility at the hot corner.
Giants, first base
Will Brandon Belt win the job and send Aubrey Huff to left field? Belt has impressed people in Arizona all spring, but has slowed down over the last few days. It’s still likely that they’ll send him to the minors for a little while.
Mets, second base
Luis Castillo has been waived, and Justin Turner has been sent to Triple A. Brad Emaus is now the favorite over Luis Hernandez and Daniel Murphy, whose versatility might work against his candidacy.
White Sox, third base
The team’s website says that rookie Brent Morel is the “apparent pick to start,” with Mark Teahen becoming a backup/jack-of-all-trades.
Diamondbacks, first base
The Arizona Republic reported Monday that Russell Branyan and Juan Miranda “could wind up splitting time,” with youngster Brandon Allen as the odd man out.
Rays, first base
Dan Johnson is beating out Casey Kotchman, but the Rays might use about eight guys at this position, from Ben Zobrist to Sean Rodriguez to (gulp) Johnny Damon.
Mariners, second base and shortstop
Brendan Ryan is the starting shortstop, and Jack Wilson will play second base until prospect Dustin Ackley is ready in May or June.
Tigers, second base
With Carlos Guillen hurt, Will Rhymes has been named as the starter over Scott Sizemore. Apparently, grittiness > talent.
Astros, catcher
The team’s website reports that Humberto Quintero could get the “lion’s share of the playing time” ahead of J.R. Towles when the season starts. If only Quintero could hit, even a little.
Royals, center field
Was this really a competition? Melky Cabrera will start and bat fifth, but Ned Yost favorite Jarrod Dyson and prospect Lorenzo Cain – both of whom are speedy – will be waiting for the Melkman to falter.
Pitchers
Rangers, third, fourth and fifth starters
This all depends on Neftali Feliz, with the Rangers scheduled to make a decision on his status soon after his Thursday start. C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis are locks for the rotation. Tommy Hunter, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Michael Kirkman are the other candidates. If Feliz starts, the guess here is that Harrison and Kirkman will be the odd men out, with Holland as No. 5 is Feliz stays in the bullpen. When Brandon Webb returns – in late April or early May, hopefully – another decision will have to be made.
Yankees, fourth and fifth starters
Ivan Nova (1.29 ERA) and Bartolo Colon (2.40) have outpitched Freddy Garcia (5.93) and Sergio Mitre (5.73) in Florida. Ken Rosenthal reports that Garcia can opt out of his deal with the Yankees by March 29 if he’s not on the big-league roster, while Colon can do the same on March 31. A couple of weeks ago, I thought the Yanks would keep Garcia and Colon, and send Nova back to the minors simply because it would allow them to keep all three. However, Nova seems to have earned a spot in the rotation, as has Colon. Maybe they can convince Garcia to spend some time on the DL with a made-up injury.
Diamondbacks, fourth and fifth starters
Manager Kirk Gibson hinted on Tuesday that lefty Joe Saunders’ rotation slot might not be secure. He was probably just trying to light a fire under Saunders, right? Gibson said, “Right now, I have (Ian) Kennedy, (Daniel) Hudson and (Barry) Enright.” That leaves Saunders, Armando Galarraga and Aaron Heilman for two spots. Figure that Saunders gets one, and I have a hunch that Heilman will get the other after all the chances he’s been getting this spring. It’s a close call, though.
Blue Jays, fourth and fifth starters
Kyle Drabek will probably get one of the slots, with Jesse Litsch seemingly ahead of Jo-Jo Reyes for the other one.
Nationals, fourth and fifth starters
Tom Gorzelanny and John Lannan are the winners. Gorzelanny and his strikeout rate (119 in 136 1/3 innings last season) make him an NL-only sleeper.
Rockies, fifth starter
Esmil Rogers is the likely winner over Greg Reynolds and former Met John Maine. However, if Rogers doesn’t pitch well, Aaron Cook could replace him when he returns from a broken finger in April or May.
Orioles, fifth starter
Justin Duchscherer (hip soreness) is trying to get ready by April 10, which will be the first time the O’s need a fifth starter. If he can’t make it, youngster Chris Tillman or a stopgap (Josh Rupe?) would get the call. Duchscherer is too much of a wildcard to be counted on.
Padres, fifth starter
On Sunday, the team’s website called lefty Wade LeBlanc “the leading candidate” for this slot, ahead of Dustin Moseley and Cory Luebke.
Pirates, fifth starter
Charlie Morton has gotten the nod over Scott Olsen. Morton is still on my NL-only sleeper list.
Cubs, fifth starter
The Cubs are likely to make a decision later this week between Andrew Cashner, Carlos Silva and Braden Looper. Cashner – who should be the choice – can probably lock it down with a solid outing on Saturday.
Braves, fifth starter
It sounds like Brandon Beachy will get the call, with Mike Minor headed back to the, um, minors. Beachy was excellent in Double A and Triple A last season, becoming a starter midway through the year.
Astros, fifth starter
Nelson Figueroa gets the nod over prospect Jordan Lyles. Zzz … A’s, fifth starter
The A’s will probably make a decision by the weekend. Brandon McCarthy has pitched well, and should get the call over Tyson Ross and Bobby Cramer.
Cardinals, fifth starter
Will Tony La Russa name Kyle McClellan as the fifth starter already? The lack of suspense is killing us!
Indians, fifth starter
On Tuesday, the Indians’ website reported that righty Josh Tomlin “appears to be the favorite to win the available fifth spot in the rotation” over David Huff and Jeanman Gomez. Tomlin’s great control makes him just a little interesting in AL-only leagues.
Mariners, fifth starter
Pitching coach Carl Willis said on a Seattle radio show Tuesday that prized prospect Michael Pineda is “lined up to pitch the fifth game of the season.” That sounds like a firm decision to me.
Twins, fifth starter
Scott Baker gets the job ahead of Kevin Slowey, who isn’t great, but is waaaaaaay better than Nick Blackburn (5.42 ERA in 2010).
Royals, fifth starter
Vin Mazzaro has won the battle over Sean O’Sullivan. Luke Hochevar, Jeff Francis, Kyle Davies and Bruce Chen are the other starters, if you were wondering.