The Angels have to figure out how to replace Mark Teixeira at first and Jon Garland in the rotation. It appears Kendry Morales has the inside track on landing the job at first after a strong finish in the Dominican Winter League. If the switch-hitting Morales falters, he could platoon with Rob Quinlan. As for the rotation, Dustin Moseley, Shane Loux, Nick Adenhart, Nick Green and Anthony Ortega will all have a chance. And Kelvim Escobar missed all of last season after shoulder surgery and could be back as early as the All-Star break. Other things to watch: Who will replace closer Francisco Rodriguez? Brian Fuentes was acquired and is on track to take that spot. And if Brandon Wood lands the third base job, Chone Figgins would move into the outfield mix, where injuries were a problem all last season.
The biggest battle will be the last three spots in the rotation. The competition features at least a half a dozen pitchers and could change throughout the season. LHP Mark Hendrickson has the most experience. He pitched in 36 games for the Marlins last season with 19 starts and finished 7-8 with a 5.45 ERA. LHP Rich Hill came over in an early February trade from the Cubs. He started in five games, finished 1-0 and was sent back down to the minors and finished the season on the DL. RHP Danys Baez has mostly been a reliever but was a starter in 2002 when he went 10-11 and a 4.41 ERA for the Indians. He missed all of 2008 after elbow surgery. Also in the mix are RHP Radhames Liz, RHP Brad Hennessey and LHP John Parrish. Whoever doesn't make the rotation could end up in the bullpen, where there are some open spots. As for catcher, it isn't a true position battle because veteran Gregg Zaun is the designated starter, but he's merely holding a spot for top prospect Matt Wieters. He hit .355 with 27 home runs in 437 at-bats between Class A and Double-A last season and seems ready, but the Orioles are still reluctant to put him in full time. Whenever Wieters is ready, Zaun will be pushed aside.
The Red Sox left most of the players in place from last season, so there is very little up for grabs. The only question is at shortstop, where Julio Lugo will try to win back his job after losing it midseason because of injury and some defensive struggles. After 261 at-bats, Lugo had a .268 average with one home run and 22 RBI. Jed Lowrie took over and finished with a .258 average, two home runs, and 46 RBI after 260 at-bats.
Ozzie Guillen described the battle at second as "wide open." Rookie Chris Getz has only seven major league at-bats, so he is unproven. Brent Lillibridge and Jayson Nix are the favorites, but Lillibridge hasn't had much more major league experience with 29 at-bats. Acquired from the Braves, he also has the potential to bat leadoff. Nix was the opening day second baseman for the Rockies last season but couldn't hang on to it past the end of April. As for the rotation, veteran and former Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon attempts a second stint with the White Sox. He spent several months on the DL last season and it could be a slow spring. Jeff Marquez is a top-ranked prospect, acquired from the Yankees in the Nick Swisher trade. He has a shot along with fellow youngsters Clayton Richard and Lance Broadway.
Aaron Laffey is the favorite to win the fifth spot after going 5-7 with a 4.23 ERA last season. He was optioned to Buffalo midseason because of elbow inflammation but is expected to report 100 percent. Laffey will compete with LHPs Jeremy Sowers, Scott Lewis, Zach Jackson and David Huff. Behind the plate, Victor Martinez is expected to start, but when he was sidelined last season, backup Kelly Shoppach stepped in and had a breakout year. Shoppach led AL catchers in homers after he took over and will likely get more at-bats than a regular backup. This could expedite Martinez's move from catcher to first.
All offseason Detroit needed to sign a closer to replace veteran Todd Jones. They landed Brandon Lyon, who had 26 saves in 31 opportunities for the Diamondbacks last season, but the job will not be handed to him. He has to earn it as he competes in the spring with RHP Fernando Rodney, who had 13 saves in 19 chances last season. There are three competitors for the fifth spot in the rotation. Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson are trying to rebound from disastrous seasons. Zach Minor is the third fighting for the spot. Willis and Robertson are the only lefties trying to make the rotation. If they falter, Minor would give the Tigers all righties.
With Mark Grudzielanek gone, second is up for grabs. The Royals want to experiment with Mark Teahen, the 2008 opening day left fielder who played second in college and is willing to give it a try. Also in the mix are Alberto Callaspo who played at second for 46 games last season, and newcomer Willie Bloomquist. The Royals traded for Mike Jacobs to be the much-needed power hitter for the middle of the lineup. But power vs. lefties and his defense are questionable, so he could spend time as DH or in a platoon at first. Ryan Shealy, Ross Gload and Billy Butler are options to share time. In the rotation, the Royals have five candidates for the last three spots. Horacio Ramirez is the only lefty and could easily land the spot as a left-handed option. The other candidates are Kyle Davies, Brian Bannister, Luke Hochevar and Jamey Wright.
The Twins were set with a third base platoon of Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris but the late addition of Joe Crede means he could win the job outright, if he stays healthy. Crede hit 17 homers and 55 RBI in 97 games for the White Sox last season.
In the outfield, Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez, Denard Span and Delmon Young will compete for only three spots. Cuddyer was limited to 71 games last season and Span successfully filled the spot. The Twins will have to figure out how to place all four or trade an outfielder for help at third. The last question is who will bridge the gap to closer Joe Nathan. Pat Neshek was the club's primary setup man but went out in May needing ligament surgery. The 'pen was in flux until Jose Mijares had a strong September call-up, allowing only one run and three hits in 10 appearances. He'll be in the mix for the role in the eighth, along with RHPs Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier and newcomer Luis Ayala.
The arrival of Mark Teixeira means fellow new arrival Nick Swisher will not play first. Instead, manager Joe Girardi said Swisher will fight for time in right with Xavier Nady, who was expected to be the starter. Swisher is coming off a down year with the White Sox (.219 avg., 69 RBI, 24 HR) and could also spend most of his time in center field, with Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner waiting to take over if needed. In left, Johnny Damon will man the spot with Hideki Matsui mostly as DH until it is determined he can handle more after his offseason knee surgery.
Oakland's rotation is very young and inexperienced, but the top four spots are likely taken barring any major changes during camp. The only issue is the last spot, which could be either lefty Gio Gonzalez or lefty Josh Outman. Changes could come midseason when top prospects Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson could be called up and have the potential to make a big impact. Jason Giambi's return to the place he began his career means there's a decision to be made where he fits in best. Daric Barton is said to have the starting job at first, but he's coming off hip surgery. If he gets off to a slow start, Giambi could take over. If Barton is successful, Giambi will see more time in right, limiting Travis Buck. For now, Bobby Crosby is slated at shortstop, but the club is still looking for another option.
The Mariners have plenty of candidates to replace LF Raul Ibanez and that will be a battle for most of the spring. INF/OF Mike Morse is a possibility, but he was out most of the season with a shoulder injury. There's also OF Endy Chavez and two rookies -- Greg Halman and Michael Wilson. Wladimir Balentien is another candidate, but his chances could be hurt if he plays in the World Baseball Classic as planned. Latecomer Ken Griffey Jr. will be a factor in left and as designated hitter. For closer, the Mariners really don't have a proven option to replace J.J. Putz. Initially the spot was thought to be Brandon Morrow's to lose after he filled in last season with 10 saves. But the club is leaning toward using him in the rotation. Tyler Walker and David Aardsma, both offseason acquisitions, are two more options. As for issues in the rotation, the big concern is narrowing down seven candidates for five spots. With Seattle's history of injuries, depth will certainly help. In the mix are RHPs Felix Hernandez, Morrow and Carlos Silva along with LHPs Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn, Ryan Roland-Smith and Garrett Olson. Both Olson and Morrow could move to the bullpen if needed. Olson would prefer to start, but he said he's willing to move.
With much of the Rays roster from 2008 intact, there are only a few holes to be filled. A top priority this offseason was to make over the bullpen. They added several relievers and their roles will need to be decided. One big question is who will close until Troy Percival returns, provided he is back to form after offseason surgery. There's no clear-cut candidate, but Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour and J.P. Howell are all options. The competition for the fifth spot in the rotation will be exciting mostly because of rookie left-hander David Price. If he's ready, he'll get the spot after getting a mid-September call-up last season and posting a 1.93 ERA in one start and four relief appearances with the Rays. If he's not ready, Jason Hammel, Jeff Niemann and Mitch Talbot will compete. In right, acquired OF Gabe Kapler and Matt Joyce will compete along with returning Gabe Gross. Because Kapler is versatile, he may end up filling in for B.J. Upton in center until he returns from shoulder surgery. Joyce would like to win the job outright, but he'll likely share time. Rays GM Andrew Friedman called Joyce an "above-average defensive right fielder."
Heading into camp, the Rangers have lots of questions with few answers. The Rangers need someone to replace Milton Bradley's 22 homers and AL-leading .436 OPS. Hank Blalock has the inside track but has been limited by injury over the past two seasons. The biggest problem with Blalock is it gives the Rangers consecutive lefty hitters in the middle of the order. Another option is Nelson Cruz, but he has not been able to translate his minor league success to the majors. Andruw Jones also has a chance, but he has a lot of work to do. In the rotation, RHP Brendan Donnelly has the inside track on the No. 5 spot, but he'll have to earn it. He has struggled, with both injuries and ineffectiveness, over the past two seasons, but he's still young and could be ready to finally move forward. Some veterans will also be in the mix. Another big question is who will close. C.J. Wilson is loaded with talent but was lost in August to elbow surgery. He's ready to return, but because Frank Francisco was a suitable replacement last season, he is the favorite. Behind the plate, Jarrod Saltalamacchia is the likely candidate to take over, but there will be competition between him, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez. Outside of these major position battles, the Rangers could also end up with David Murphy and Marlon Byrd in a platoon situation in left.
While most of the Blue Jays positions are set, there is a wide-opened battle for the last three spots in the rotation. After a career-high 35 starts for the Jays last season, A.J. Burnett moved on to the Yankees and Shawn Marcum (3.39 ERA in 25 starts last season) is out for 2009 following Tommy John surgery. Jesse Litsch moves up to the second spot after starting fifth last season. The rest is up for grabs. David Purcey, a first-round pick in 2004, pitched in the majors for the first time in 2008 and went 3-6 in 12 starts. Casey Janssen, who missed all of last season after shoulder surgery, and Scott Richmond are two other young pitchers in the mix. Also, don't be surprised if the club takes a serious look at some prospects. As for veteran options, Matt Clement and Mike Maroth were both signed to minor league deals after having surgery and missing significant time over the past few seasons. Dustin McGowan is expected to return midseason following surgery and he could land back in the rotation.
