by Jason Martinez
Chicago White Sox
Third Base
Brent Morel (named starter) vs Mark Teahen (out) vs Dayan Viciedo (out)
Tale of the Tape
Morel: 23 years old, $414K, .322/.359/.480 in 490 AB's, 8 SB (AAA/AA)
Teahen: 29 years old, $4.75M salary, .258/.327/.382 in 233 AB's
Viciedo: 22 years old, $1.25M salary, .308/.321/.519 in 104 AB's
Analysis: Morel ended the season as the starting third baseman but the free-swinging Viciedo also showed enough to be given strong consideration for the job. With plenty of veteran firepower throughout the lineup, the team can afford to go with one of the youngsters at the bottom of the order. If neither is ready to take over as the full-time third baseman, however, Teahen would get the call. He'd likely get the majority of AB's vs RHP's with Viciedo playing vs LHP's and Morel heading back to the minors. UPDATE 1/21 - When Manager Ozzie Guillen was recently asked if Morel would be the starter at 3B, Guillen responded, "That would be a slap in the face of Teahen." Accordingly, I have updated the projections. This also increases the chances that Viciedo will make the team as a right-handed complement to Teahen. UPDATE 1/21 - Guillen now slapped Teahen in the face by saying 3B is Morel's to lose. In all fairness, I think Guillen meant that it would be a slap in the face to Teahen if he didn't have a chance to compete for the job. He'll get a chance but Morel will have to struggle badly for Teahen to have any shot. Sorry for any confusion. UPDATE 3/10 - Viciedo is out of the race after fracturing his right thumb. He'll be out 3-4 weeks and then likely head to the minors for some AB's. Meanwhile, Teahen is having a terrific camp (9-for-17, 2 2B, HR, 7 RBI, 6 BB) while Morel has yet to do much at the plate (3-for-17, 2 2B) UPDATE 3/20 - Morel has been named the starter
Closer
Matt Thornton (named closer) vs Chris Sale (out)
Tale of the Tape
Thornton: 34 years old, $3M salary, 5-4, 2.67 ERA, 60.2 IP, 41 H, 20 BB, 81 K, 8 Sv, 21 holds
Sale: 22 years old, $414K salary, 2-1, 1.93 ERA, 23.1 IP, 15 H, 10 BB, 32 K, 4 Sv, 2 holds
Analysis: Thornton looks to be the front-runner after another dominating season that included eight saves. Crain was an effective setup man in 2010 who throws in the mid-90's but he has never been a closer and has exactly one less save (3) in his career than the rookie Sale recorded (4) in 21 relief appearances late last season. Along with Sergio Santos, this foursome will make it tough on White Sox opponents late in games regardless of who is closing. UPDATE 3/15 - It's down to Thornton and Sale, although Thornton appears to have a pretty good hold on the job with Sale's recent struggles. UPDATE 3/19 - Guillen has named Thornton the closer to start the season.
Cleveland Indians
Third Base
Jack Hannahan (named starter) vs Jayson Nix (out) vs Luis Valbuena (out) vs Jason Donald (out)
Tale of the Tape
Hannahan: 31 years old, $500K salary, .237/.340/.374 in 334 ABs (AAA)
Nix: 28 years old, $440K salary, .224/.281/.396 in 331 ABs
Valbuena: 25 years old, $425K salary: .193/.273/.258 in 275 ABs
Donald: 26 years old, $440K salary, .253/.312/.378 in 296 ABs, 5 SB
Analysis: Nix is the leading candidate at the hot corner after hitting 13 HR's in 76 games after being claimed off waivers from the White Sox in June. But he also struck out 75 times while posting just a .283 OBP. Goedert, who was added to the 40-man roster last month, could have a shot with a strong performance in Spring Training but he doesn't appear to be very good defensively (.923 fielding pct in '10). They could be on the lookout for a veteran stopgap (i.e. Pedro Feliz or Felipe Lopez) until Chisehnall is ready. Adding Chisenhall to the competition is a bit of a stretch but he is the team's top hitting prospect and this is a rebuilding year with the Tigers, Twins, and White Sox expected to dominate the division. So why not give him a full year in the big leagues so he's better prepared for 2012 when the team might be more competitive? Like I said, it's a stretch. He will likely be up later in the season after a few months worth of Triple-A at-bats. UPDATE 2/11 - The signing of Orlando Cabrera pushes Donald backwards in the second base competition but don't count him out of the battle for the starting third base job. UPDATE 3/6 - Chisenhall has been told he'll start the season in Triple-A, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. Meanwhile, Jon Heyman of SI.com says the plan is for Donald to play 3B until Chisenhall is ready. UPDATE 3/7 - Goedert, who was a long shot anyways, is out for a few weeks with a strained oblique. So it comes down to Donald and Nix. UPDATE 3/16 - With Nix just 2-for-19 and falling almost completely out of the picture, Hannahan has emerged as a contender for the third base job with 11 hits in 28 ABs this spring. Donald, who has missed time with a bone bruise in his left hand, will need to get back on the field soon if he wants to hold off Hannahan. UPDATE 3/19 - Donald will start the season on the DL with a broken hand. Hannahan appears to be the favorite although Nix is still in the mix and Valbuena has gotten playing time at third base in recent days. UPDATE 3/28 - By process of elimination, Hannahan is the starter. None of the other candidates have made the 25-man roster.
#5 starter
Josh Tomlin (named starter) vs David Huff (out) vs Jeanmar Gomez (out)
Tale of the Tape
Tomlin: 26 years old, $425K salary, 6-4, 4.56 ERA, 73 IP, 72 H, 19 BB, 43 K in 12 starts
Huff: 26 years old, $440K salary, 2-11, 6.21 ERA, 79.2 IP, 101 H, 34 BB, 37 K in 15 starts
Gomez: 23 years old, $414K salary, 4-5, 4.68 ERA, 57.2 IP, 73 H, 22 BB, 34 K in 11 starts
Analysis: Lots of options, although Tomlin and Carrasco don't appear to have too many serious threats for the last two rotation spots. Gomez was solid in 11 starts and Reyes was a promising prospect before his career was derailed by injuries the past two seasons. Huff is likely to get another look but he's coming off of a terrible season. Kluber and McAllister could get the call sometime during the season, although not likely before June. White appears to be the organization's top pitching prospect after a very good pro debut in 2010 so the team might want to take a long look at him this spring. As with the third base competition, the team could add an affordable veteran or two to the competition before the start of Spring Training. UPDATE 1/4 - Martinez is the newest contender after being acquired from Pittsburgh. He appears to have as good of a chance as the rest of the underdogs. UPDATE 2/19 - Manager Manny Acta says Carrasco is a lock for the #4 spot while Laffey will also compete for the last spot in the rotation. UPDATE 3/2 - Laffey was traded to Seattle. Guess that means he's not gonna be in Cleveland's rotation. UPDATE 3/5 - It looks like a three-horse race with Tomlin having the edge at this point, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. UPDATE 3/25 - By process of elimination Tomlin wins the job as Huff and Gomez were optioned to the minors this morning.
Detroit Tigers
Second Base
Will Rhymes (named starter) vs Danny Worth (out) vs Scott Sizemore (out)
Tale of the Tape
Rhymes: 28 years old, $425K salary, .304/.350/.414 in 191 AB's
Sizemore: 26 years old, $425K, .224/.296/.336 in 143 AB's
Worth: 25 years old, $425K salary, .255/.295/.358 in 106 AB's
Analysis: With word that Manager Jim Leyland doesn't think veteran Carlos Guillen will be ready for the start of the season (recovery from microfracture knee surgery), the second base competition is wide open. Rhymes hit over .300 while holding down the job during the second half of the season so he should go into Spring Training as the favorite. Sizemore was the Opening Day second baseman in 2010 but was sent back to the minors in mid-May after a 4-for-34 slump. He did recover by posting an .850 OPS in Triple-A and will get another crack at a big league job in 2011. Worth is primarily a shortstop but started eight games at second base in his rookie season. His offensive ceiling is much lower than the others but he could get consideration if Rhymes and Sizemore struggle in camp. UPDATE 3/22 - Sizemore was optioned to the minors so Rhymes appears to be the starter to begin the season.
Kansas City Royals
2B/3B
Mike Aviles (lock) vs Chris Getz (lock) vs Wilson Betemit (long shot) vs Mike Moustakas (out)
Tale of the Tape
Aviles: 30 years old, $475K, .304/.335/.413 in 424 AB's, 14 SB
Getz: 27 years old, $440K, .237/.302/.277 in 224 AB's, 15 SB
Betemit: 29 years old, $1M salary, .297/.378/.511 in 278 AB's
Getz: 27 years old, $440K, .237/.302/.277 in 224 AB's, 15 SB
Betemit: 29 years old, $1M salary, .297/.378/.511 in 278 AB's
Moustakas: 22 years old, $414K salary, .322/.369/.630 in 484 AB's (AAA/AA)
Analysis: This competition was analyzed by me over at RotoAuthority. Click here to read the article. UPDATE 3/19 - Aviles and Getz are having strong camps while Betemit is not. Moustakas has already been reassigned to the minors so the picture has become very clear. Aviles at 3B, Getz at 2B, Betemit on the bench, Mous in Triple-A for, most likely, the first two months of the season. UPDATE 3/25 - Getz, who will be the starting 2B, is being discussed by manager Eric Wedge as a possible #2 hitter in the lineup behind Aviles.
Melky Cabrera (lock) vs Alex Gordon (lock) vs Jeff Francoeur (lock) vs Lorenzo Cain (out) vs Mitch Maier (underdog)
Tale of the Tape
Cabrera: 26 years old, $1.25M salary, .255/.317/.354 in 458 AB's, 7 SB
Francoeur: 27 years old, $2.5M salary, .249/.300/.383 in 454 AB's, 8 SB
Gordon: 27 years old, arb. eligible (2nd time), .215/.315/.355 in 242 AB's
Cain: 24 years old, $440K salary, .306/.348/.415 in 147 AB's, 7 SB
Maier: 28 years old, $440K salary, .263/.333/.375 in 373 AB's, 3 SB
Analysis: The Royals may have been the only teams in the majors willing to give Cabrera and Francoeur starting jobs this offseason. In a rebuilding season, giving the veterans a chance to rebuild their value might not be a bad idea. It's a few million bucks down the drain if it doesn't work out but both players were considered very good ballplayers just a few years ago. This is a make-or-break season for Gordon, who like Cabrera and Francoeur, has struggled at the big league level after a promising start to his career. There will be plenty of competition this spring. Cain looks to be the team's centerfielder of the future while Maier and Blanco are still trying to prove that they are more than just solid reserves. Lough is coming off of a very productive Triple-A season in which he had 15 2B's, 12 3B's, 11 HR's, and 14 SB's. UPDATE 3/19 - Cabrera, Gordon, and Maier are having huge camps while Francouer is stinking it up, quite frankly (4-for-38). Cain has also been solid (9-for-32, 3 2B, 6 BB) but I still have a feeling the Royals are committed to sticking with Francouer, at least to start the season. UPDATE 3/27 - Cain was optioned the minors.
Minnesota Twins
#4 and #5 starter
Tale of the Tape
Baker: 29 years old, $5M salary, 12-9, 4.49 ERA, 170.1 IP, 186 H, 43 BB, 148 K
Slowey: 26 years old, arb. eligible (1st time), 13-6, 4.45 ERA, 155.2 IP, 172 H, 29 BB, 116 K
Slowey: 26 years old, arb. eligible (1st time), 13-6, 4.45 ERA, 155.2 IP, 172 H, 29 BB, 116 K
Analysis: With the return of Carl Pavano, the Twins will head into Spring Training with six starters. A decision will have to be made if all six are healthy at the beginning of April. I have Blackburn as the odd man out based on his disappointing 2010 season but Duensing has proven success in the 'pen (1.80 ERA in 40 relief appearances in '10) and could be the best option to get the ball to Capps and Nathan late in games. So what if both pitch well in the spring? Well, Slowey better make sure he's on top of his game just in case that does happen. UPDATE 3/2 - Manager Ron Gardenhire says Duensing will be in the rotation. The competition for the last two spots is between Baker, Slowey, and Blackburn. Baker underwent surgery this offseason to remove a bone chip in his elbow. He appears to be on track, however, for the start of the season and should claim one of the two spots. UPDATE 3/5 - Gardenhire says Blackburn is in if he's healthy, leaving Baker and Slowey fighting for the last spot. UPDATE 3/22 - Gardenhire announced Baker will be in the rotation and Slowey will pitch out of the bullpen.
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8 comments:
Couple of things on the Royals. First, Mike Aviles is penciled in as the starting third baseman right now, so you may want to include him in your write-up. Second, Pucetas was obtained as the PTBNL in the Jose Guillen trade.
Thanks for the heads-up on Pucetas. I think it was initially reported as a waiver claim and announced later that he was the PTBNL.
Regarding Aviles, I figured that he and Betemit had the inside track for starting jobs with the way they finished the season but maybe they really like Getz at 2B and want to give him a shot. Makes sense since Betemit is more versatile. He can play all over the infield and DH so he would still get his AB's.
What do you think about the Royals 1B/DH situation? Looks like Butler, Ka'aihue or even Hosmer could be involved. My league is very strict with position eligibility, last year's positions don't automatically qualify the player for this year. Does Kila get 1B? When will Hosmer get called up?
I think Ka'aihue will finally get his shot to prove that his minor league success can carry over to the big leagues. It's also probably his first and only chance since Hosmer is close. I don't see why he wouldn't have 1B eligibility. He doesn't play any other positions. He'll mostly DH and play some 1B. Ideally for KC, he will hit and build some value and they can try and trade him or Butler next offseason to open a spot for Hosmer in 2012. If Kila struggles again, Betemit could get AB's as the DH.
Hosmer should be called up sometime in 2012. They didn't rush Moustakas last season and I doubt they would rush Hosmer either.
Is there no competition at 2B for the Tigers? Your "Early Look" pages talked about a three-way battle between Carlos Guillen, Will Rhymes, and Scott Sizemore. I see that the Detroit page in the "Early Look" article has Rhymes as the starting 2B and both Sizemore and Guillen (because he won't be ready for opening day) on the outside looking in.
Why is Sizemore no longer being considered, and not even on opening day roster as a utility infielder?
Will have new 2B position battle posted today. Initially, I had Guillen as a lock to make the lineup but not necessarily as the DH. After they re-signed Magglio and signed Martinez to be the primary DH, 2B was the only spot left for Guillen. Thus, no more position battle, in my opinion. With word that he probably won't be ready for opening day, however, the battle between Rhymes and Sizemore is on.
With Santiago and Kelly being as versatile as they are, I can see them going in a bunch of different directions with the last two bench spots. If Sizemore doesn't start, I'd rather see him get AB's in AAA rather than come off the bench. Thoughts?
I've heard Chris Sale is likely to make the CHA rotation, but you have Lucas Harrell as the #5 on the depth chart. What's your take on that situation? Should it be a new battle on this tracker?
My take on Sale:
I've heard that he'll be in the competition but with Peavy expected back early in the season, I don't think they'd give Sale the job temporarily and then move him to the bullpen when Peavy returns. Usually not a good idea to move a young prospect back and forth from starter to reliever. When they have a full-time opening, he's in. Until then, I think he is utilized out of the 'pen, where he could be a dominant force late in games. Would take a Peavy setback, trade, or major injury to another starter for Sale to be in rotation in '11, in my opinion.
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