With spring training games set to start Friday we should take a quick look at the few positional battles for each team. Today we will do National League teams and follow it up Wednesday with a look at the AL teams.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS – The one job not settled with the new Kirk Gibson version of the Snakes is at first base where Juan Miranda, obtained in a trade from the Yankees was set to compete with Brandon Allen. The Diamondbacks have recently thrown a third hat in to the ring signing veteran 1B/DH Russell Branyan to a minor league contract to compete for the job. The problem with this competition is that all three bat from the left side of the plate thus negating what might be an effective platoon. If Branyan hits well enough to make the club, I would expect Allen (who still has minor league options while the others don’t) to be sent to AAA Reno so he can hit every day. Miranda was the pre-Branyan favorite and I still think he wins the job – But he can’t afford a poor spring training allowing either of the others to steal the job.
ATLANTA BRAVES – There isn’t really a position battle IF Chipper Jones is really healthy enough to return this year and thus send Martin Prado to left field. Given Jones’ injury history though either Joe Mather or Jordan Schafer could see more at bats than most fourth outfielders.
CINCINNATI REDS – Manager Dusty Baker has said that Paul Janish is his starting shortstop this year. Assuming Janish has a good spring training that is likely but he had better perform with Edgar Renteria breathing down his neck and not really suited for a utility role. Left field is also slightly unsettled although I would expect a platoon of newly acquired Fred Lewis with the returning Jonny Gomes. Lewis will have some additional value if this comes to pass as he should lead off against RHP.
COLORADO ROCKIES – Second base is the position in question for the Rockies with Eric Young Jr. competing against former Mariner Jose Lopez. Free agent signee Ty Wigginton could also figure in this mix assuming that Ian Stewart strengthens his hold on third base and veterans Todd Helton and Jason Giambi hold down first base. There are three outfielders – Seth Smith, Dexter Fowler, and Ryan Spilborghs competing for two spots alongside CarGo, with Smith the early favorite to start in right field.
FLORIDA MARLINS – If Marlins prospect Matt Dominguez can show he is ready he could be starting at third base on Opening Day. If he starts at AAA then veteran Wes Helms would figure to hold down the hot corner, perhaps spelled occasionally by Emilio Bonifacio.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS – Speculation is that veterans Marcus Thames and Jay Gibbons will platoon in Left field, BUT there is the possibility that Tony Gwynn Jr. could play so well in the spring that the Dodgers would start him in CF, moving Matt Kemp to RF and Andre Ethier to LF. Sadly none of these scenarios give Xavier Paul any chance to play much.
NEW YORK METS – Who will start at second base? Veteran Luis Castillo is still on the roster and there are some who want Daniel Murphy to get a real shot at the job which would improve the offense. Given that the Metropolitans don’t rate to contend in the NL East, it would be more interesting if former Toronto Blue Jay prospect Brad Emaus were given the shot to start his major league career.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES – Most of the reporting on the Phillies centers on that starting rotation, but I am far more interested in who will start the season in right field. I think most expected that with Jayson Werth leaving that uber prospect Domonic Brown would be in right, but it appears that the Phillies aren’t sold on Brown being fully ready and there is talk of him either platooning with Ben Francisco or returning to AAA in which case Francisco might platoon with Ross Gload. Hopefully Brown, likely a strong 20/20 player will get his shot.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES – The main question for the rebuilt Pirates is whether they can find a team that want to trade for Ryan Doumit. If not, he may see some at bats at catcher where Chris Snyder is the starter or right field where Garrett Jones should be platooning with Matt Diaz, or even first base although Lyle Overbay was signed to be there every day.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS – The only unsettled position battle in the Bay seems to be right field if Mark DeRosa is finally healthy and might take at bats from Nate Schierholtz. It is also possible for the Giants to get Pat Burrell some at bats there letting Cody Ross play every day in left field.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS – If David Freese is healthy enough there will be no question about third base but that does not appear to be the case making utility infielders Nick Punto or Tyler Greene candidates to start at third. There was a rumor that OF Allen Craig might be given a shot at third as well.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS – If Rick Ankiel is the everyday left fielder than Roger Bernadina will have to settle for fourth outfielder at bats or battle for them with Mike Morse who once again has no position to get his bat into the lineup.
At least the hitting spots in Chicago, Houston, Milwaukee and San Diego appear to be set for now.
In the next Captain’s Log we will take a look at AL position battles.
{jcomments on}