Spring notebook: Movers and shakers

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March 31, 6:30 p.m. ET

By David Gonos
Senior Fantasy Writer

Let the scrambling begin.

Fantasy owners over the next couple days will be pouring over the free-agent list as major-league teams finalize their 25-man rosters for Saturday's deadline.

Draft Preview

Rankings

Top 300 | Top 100 rookies

Drafts: NL-only | AL-only

Age 27s | By position | 28s

Outlooks

AL: East | Central | West

NL: East | Central | West

Analysis

Sleepers | Busts | Breakouts

Player vs. player

Strategies

Draft | Auction | Advanced

Teams are reassigning players to the minors and shifting players to the disabled list to get ready for their openers next week.

The Indians moved Juan Gonzalez to the 15-day disabled list with strained right hamstring Thursday. That's right, it's not his back this time! That has to at least be a mild victory.

That move means Grady Sizemore will get the start in left field -- Casey Blake will move over to right -- and Fantasy owners in AL-only leagues who smartly insured their Juan-Gone pick are smiling. Never have owners been happier to see one of their players go on the DL than if they also owned the former Expos farmhand. His size and strength make him a Fantasy player to keep an eye on.

Minor trades are also trickling through with the likes of Byung-Hyun Kim and Charles Johnson swapping caps. C.J. expects to join the Devil Rays on Thursday -- his third team in two days.

And the Braves moved infielder Nick Green to Tampa Bay so they could solidify their bullpen by adding Jorge Sosa.

The Mariners picked up Abraham Nunez, the 2004 spring training home run champ with the Marlins, from the Royals' waivers Thursday. They moved Bucky Jacobsen and his bum knee to the 60-day DL to make room.

The Dodgers will continue the Norihiro Nakamura experiment at third base down in the minors, despite his quality spring thus far.

Be quick with your add/drop finger as these moves happen for a couple reasons:

Picking up Sizemore if he's available in your league could be your best Fantasy move of the first half.
Adding players that other teams drop because they "expect huge things from Nick Green" is also a smart move.

Gainer:

Kim's arrival in Colorado is good and bad news. Obviously, the chance to close again for any major-league team makes him a worthy pickup, but Coors Field tends to rattle any pitcher's cage, especially one with an already shaky recent history. Grab him if you can, without giving up anyone of consequence, but consider trading him to the first guy who says, "Ooooh, you beat me to him!"

Decliner:

The arrival of C.J. back in the state of Florida, where he played college baseball and won a World Series with the Marlins can only be a bad thing for incumbent starter Toby Hall. His value was already limited to being a No. 2 catcher in larger mixed leagues, but now he should primarily be considered for just AL-only leagues.

In the trainer's room:

Mariano Rivera threw in a minor-league game Thursday and said he felt good afterward. "I'm right there where I want to be," he said. His return to health drops Tom Gordon a couple notches, but not off of mixed-league radars. His ERA and WHIP help can turn a starter with a 5.00 ERA into a respectable one. He doesn't offer much for Head-to-Head leagues however. Rivera joins Brad Lidge at the top of the closer list -- Eric Gagne's still has us a little concerned.
Fantasy owners should start thinking about using their backup plan in the outfield for this first scoring period since Juan Pierre's sore calf might keep him from playing in the opener. Since his wheels are his greatest asset, you'd rather see him rest now and return for Week 2 healthy than push it so early in the season.
The Detroit Free Press reports that an intestinal flu could keep Magglio Ordonez sidelined for Monday's opener against Kansas City, although general manager Dave Dombrowski believes the outfielder can play. You better have a good backup to sit Ordonez, who hopes to see his first action since July.

Prospect watch:

With Chris Snyder's thumb injury comes the announcement that Koyie Hill will start opening day against the Cubs. Both prospects were told they would not share the position this year, but the injury has changed their plans. Manager Bob Melvin is not tipping his hand as to which player will get the nod once Snyder is healthy -- which basically means the Fantasy value for both is limited to NL-only leagues for now. Snyder is hitting .355 (11-for-31) with no homers and six RBI this spring, while Hill is batting a respectable .311 (14-for-45) with one homer and four RBI.

Bleacher Banter:

Gerry Cohen, Malibu, Calif.: Should Kevin Mench or David DeJesus be my third outfielder?

D.G.: We have been pushing Mench this spring as one of the top breakout candidates for a big season. His strong, aggressive swing is just what Fantasy owners like to see -- not to mention the fact he will call Ameriquest Field in Arlington his home park.

March 30, 2:35 p.m. ET

By Eric Mack
Senior Fantasy Writer

Feeling comfortable in your role is one thing, but complacency is something else. And major-league managers are striking back against it this week as they finalize their opening-day rosters.

Now, young veterans Ken Harvey and Endy Chavez should have hardly been comfortable, but they did enter the spring as starters. They still are -- just in Triple-A.

It's these kind of moves that make a sleeper out of little-known Calvin Pickering, Ryan Church or perhaps even sophomore Terrmel Sledge. Most of their value comes in those deeper AL- and NL-only leagues, but remember: Sleeper success is the culmination of preparation and opportunity.

Both Pickering and Church are plenty prepared.

Pickering has some immense power potential after his huge first half in the minors last season, hitting .314 with 35 homers in 299 at-bats. Those are Ruthian power numbers. He added seven more homers in 122 at-bats with the Royals in 2004, but he struggled with a .222 average this spring, so the Harvey demotion is surprising.

Pickering won DH duties with the Royals this spring as Harvey, the team's lone All-Star last season, was optioned to Triple-A Omaha Tuesday. Harvey hit just .238 in 17 games during the spring, with 10 strikeouts in 42 at-bats.

Church was the then-Expos franchise's minor-league player of the year as named by Baseball America a year ago, hitting .343 with 17 homers and an amazing 1.048 OPS. He struggled this spring with a Chavez-like .220 average and .283 on-base percentage.

Chavez, who had been expected to start in center field and hit in the leadoff spot for the Nationals, was sent to Triple-A Tuesday after struggling this spring with a .212 batting average, a .257 on-base percentage and only two walks.

"We just felt like he wasn't doing the job we needed him to do at the top of the lineup," Washington manager Frank Robinson said. "He's not walking, he's not bunting. He's just swinging, and that's not enough up here."

Last season, he hit .277 and stole 32 bases for the Expos and the team wanted him to get on base more to spark the offense.

The Nationals chose Church over Sledge in center because they: a.) Want to leave team leader Brad Wilkerson in one position in left, and b.) Would prefer defense and potential right now in Church. Nick Johnson will be the team's everyday first baseman.

Gainer:

Church and Pickering in NL- and AL-only leagues, obviously, because they are surprising winners of position battles.
Jorge Cantu's torrid spring and climb up the Fantasy charts continues as he was 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored, a double, his third spring home run and a pair of RBI Tuesday against Philadelphia. He now has 10 RBI and a .355 average so far during the exhibition season. He might emerge as a top Fantasy second baseman in AL-only leagues and he can be had in the late rounds of mixed leagues. Definitely consider him as a middle infielder in your AL-only league. He hit .302 with 22 homers and 80 RBI in 368 Triple-A at-bats last season. Those would be awfully optimistic projections for the 23-year-old, but numbers you have to drool over with where he is being rated among second baseman right now.
Emil Brown has been named the Royals' starting right fielder because of his .417 average, five homers, 18 RBI and 12 runs scored in 48 at-bats. He will not keep that pace through this season, of course, but the 30-year-old journeyman could sneak up for 12 homers and double-digit stolen bases playing every day, making him a decent flier in AL-only leagues.
Tike Redman has beaten out Rob Mackowiak as the Pirates' center fielder with a hot spring. Redman has double-digit pop and steal potential, so he will have some measure of value in Rotisserie leagues.

Decliner:

The Nationals' Chavez should not be owned in any league. He was only interesting for steals in a Rotisserie league, but even that value evaporates right now. Triple-A stolen bases don't count on this Fantasy website -- or any.
Orioles starter Sidney Ponson apparently isn't responding well to his demotion to the No. 4 spot in the Orioles rotation. Coupled with his off-the-field drama and sore hand from another public altercation, he is struggling with a 7.88 ERA and a .361 opponent's batting average this spring. There is no sign right now he is going to straighten himself out this season and be a sleeper with the projected run support of that veteran Orioles lineup.
It is a bit surprising that Matt Stairs is going to see a limited role in Kansas City and even though there's a questionable cast of characters holding him back -- right-field starter Brown and a left-field platoon of Terrence Long-Eli Marrero -- you should ignore Stairs altogether this season.
Mackowiak's reserve status should leave him out of all mixed leagues. He is versatile with outfield and third base on his resume behind Ty Wigginton, Jason Bay, Matt Lawton and Redman, though, which could make him an NL-only league flier.

In the trainer's room:

Vinny Castilla's hyperextended knee has the Nationals' final roster spot in doubt right now. Super prospect Tony Blanco is still with the club in case Castilla cannot start opening day. If Castilla proves healthy late this week, Blanco would open as an everyday third baseman in the high minors and veteran Carlos Baerga would have a role as a pinch hitter. Baerga has no Fantasy intrigue in any role.

Prospect tracker:

Blanco is a complete stud prospect -- a converted shortstop who hit a combined 29 homers with 78 RBI in High Class A and Double-A last season. Blanco hit a soft .303 this spring, but the mere fact the 23-year-old stud is still around (he hasn't played above Double-A ball) speaks volumes about his major-league readiness. He has passed prospect Brendan Harris as the Nationals' future at third base. Harris, who was demoted to Triple-A, will likely have to focus on eventually replacing Jose Vidro at second base.
The Angels are not sure Dallas McPherson has enough time this spring to earn the starting third baseman's job and are talking like he could be a candidate to stay back in Arizona in extended spring training, or worse, perhaps opening the season in Triple-A. His troublesome back has kept him out, but he was able to play in Tuesday's spring game against the Royals, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, a triple and two RBI. "It's good to see him drive the ball, but he needs at-bats, he needs to build up stamina, and he needs to work things out defensively," manager Mike Scioscia told the Los Angeles Times. "He needs playing time, and I don't know if we can get him enough to start the season." Those are awful words to McPherson owners. He remains our AL rookie of the year favorite, regardless, because of his immense power potential. He hit a combined 43 homers between Double-, Triple-A and the majors last season.

Information from the Associated Press was used to compile this report.

Bleacher Banter:

Adam Lustig: I have been proposed Pedro Martinez and Chase Utley for Curt Schilling. My current second baseman is D'Angelo Jimenez, but Ty Wigginton and Mark Bellhorn are available free agents. I am fairly high on Utley, but is it worth me moving Schilling to get him and Pedro? Should I be concerned with Schilling's injury?

B.B.: In a Head-to-Head league, I would consider holding on to Schilling, because front-line starters for first-division clubs are tough to come by. Martinez used to be one in his own right, but the Mets figure to hurt his win totals this season. We adore Utley's power potential at season base, too, but try to work a different deal for him in which you don't have to give up the invaluable commodity in Schilling.

Steve Jones: For Eric Mack: Craig Biggio is a four-time Gold Glover at second base; he hit in the .280's last year with over 40 doubles and 100 runs scored. Chris Burke will get his chance, but Biggio still has at least one solid year left. Biggio has done nothing but what this team has asked of him over the years. Catch, play second base, play left and center fields (even though he was clearly a better two-bagger than Kent). Get a clue, it is clear Biggio is not running the asylum. Look for Biggio to hit in the .280's again this season, with over 100 runs again and play very solid defense as he always has.

B.B.: We agree, Biggio is a nice option at second base, but it is a team game, and what is best for the team matters most. Biggio agrees and will be the left fielder if he is asked. He is nothing short of a professional. But he is a player, not a manager. Players play and managers tell them where and how much.

You can e-mail your Fantasy Baseball questions to bleacher@commissioner.com. Be sure to put Attn: Bleacher Banter in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses or answers to all questions.

March 29, 2:10 p.m. ET

By Eric Mack
Senior Fantasy Writer

One of this spring's biggest question marks was how in the world the Astros would deal with the loss of Carlos Beltran to free agency and Lance Berkman to a serious knee injury. The fuzzy Polaroid is finally becoming clear, but manager Phil Garner is remaining coy.

"I'm not ready to announce what I'm doing, but I'm formulating my opinion," Garner told the Houston Chronicle.

The holes in left field, center field and second base all revolve around Craig Biggio's Chipper Jones-like wish to move back to the infield permanently. Held in limbo by this are stud second-base prospect Chris Burke and solid mid-level outfield prospects Luke Scott and Willy Taveras. Jason Lane, a super sleeper in Fantasy, will start in right field.

"Are we better with Burke? That remains to be seen, but Biggio has earned the right to have the opportunity first," Garner told the Chronicle. "Now the decision won't be that Burke has unseated Biggio as much as it is, 'Is the ballclub better with Burke in the lineup at second and Biggio in the lineup at left?' That's the decision."

Stay tuned, but if the season started today, Taveras would be the center fielder, Scott the left fielder and Biggio the second baseman. Scott has some Lane-like power potential as a sleeper in that park, while Taveras will generate interest in Rotisserie leagues because of his Juan Pierre-like stolen-base skills. Scott hit a combined 27 homers in his minor-league stops, but he has yet to play above Double-A ball.

If Biggio is moved back to left, Scott would likely compete with Taveras for center and Burke would stave off demotion to be the second baseman. Scott has had a spring with which big-league dreams are made: .392, five homers, a team-leading 16 RBI and a team-leading 15 runs scored. Burke has been impressive, too, hitting .349, two homers, 10 RBI and nine runs scored. Taveras complicates it all by hitting .314 with five RBI, 11 runs scored and leading all of baseball with nine stolen bases in nine attempts.

It appears Garner is not ready to tell the veteran Biggio he has to play left. Note to Garner: Don't let the inmates run the asylum. That would be a sure-fire way to get canned if your uncertain team gets off to a bad start.

Gainer:

Craig Monroe has won the Tigers' starting center fielder's job as projected. His run-production potential will making him a nice sleeper in any format out of the seventh or either hole in the Tigers' lineup.
Additionally, the Tigers have decided second baseman Omar Infante will serve as the team's leadoff man. Batting in front of the likes of Carlos Guillen, Ivan Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez is a great way to increase your run-scored numbers as a middle infielder.

Decliner:

Jaret Wright will be skipped the first time the Yankees go through their rotation this season, because they have three off days during the opening 10 days. Randy Johnson is opening-day starter for April 3 vs. Boston, follow by Carl Pavano and Mike Mussina. Kevin Brown, Johnson and Pavano are scheduled to pitch during a weekend series that begins April 8 with Baltimore. Wright will make his first start at Baltimore on April 15. "It's not easy when you have five quality people like we have," Yankees manager Joe Torre said Tuesday. "We just decided to line them up that way. Maybe we felt Jaret can handle that physically. And he was fine with it." Wright will throw in the bullpen or could throw a few innings in a one-sided or extra-inning game before making his first start.
This shouldn't come as a surprise, but the high hopes the A's had for their young rotation are already taking a hit as Dan Meyer's struggles have taken him out of the running for a starting spot, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. He will likely open in the Triple-A rotation. I love rookie sleepers as much as anyone, but pitchers are not the rookies to fall in love with. They have a tendency to break your heart. Pitching is more art than skill at the big-league level, which is something young pitchers don't learn for at least a few years (You might have heard me on the soapbox about that before, and I will again). Young pitchers usually are not worth a risk -- especially because of the overhyped nature with them. Kirk Saarloos and Seth Etherton are the likely finalists to be the A's No. 5 starter, according to the paper. Go figure. Ex-prospects who have finally picked up the "art."

In the trainer's room:

Juan Gonzalez, welcome to the starting lineup. Juan Gone, welcome to the trainer's room. It didn't take the Indians' right fielder and likely No. 5 hitter long to have his first "scratch." He sat out Monday with a tight hamstring. Grady Sizemore must have cracked a smirk when he heard that trickle over to minor-league camp.
Ex-Cardinals ace Matt Morris will serve as the team's No. 5 starter as anticipated. The Cardinals have three off days in the first two weeks of the season so Morris will stay in Jupiter and pitch with the Class A Palm Beach Cardinals. He will likely open the season on the DL. Morris, who had offseason shoulder surgery, gave up five runs -- four earned -- and seven hits in four innings Monday. "Matt wasn't as sharp as he has been," manager Tony La Russa said.
Chris Snyder's thumb injury was not that serious, so he will be available for the Diamondbacks opening day. The team has not yet named a starter between him and Koyie Hill, but remember, defense matters when it comes to playing time. Snyder is the superior defender and has more power potential. Hill is a switch-hitter, though, and makes solid contact. If you put those two together, you have an NL rookie of the year. Heck, they might both compete for that title anyway as they split time. ... The team cut Kelly Stinnett, by the way.

Prospect tracker:

One of baseball's brightest prospects made a smashing debut Monday in his first at-bat in a big-league uniform. Dodgers shortstop phenom Joel Guzman, the organization's 2004 minor-league player of the year, homered to the opposite field and saw time playing first base, too. That is the opposite field, mind you. Rookie shortstops are not supposed to be doing that sort of thing off big-league pitching. The Dodgers appear like they will make Guzman a top candidate for playing time if something serious happens to their starters at shortstop (Cesar Izturis), third (Jose Valentin) or even first (Hee Seop Choi). Guzman is a must-have in all leagues once he gets that big-league call-up. Between High Class A and Double-A last season, he hit a combined 23 homers, 11 triples, 33 doubles and stole nine bases. He still strikes out a little too much, but he has the Alex Rodriguez-look as a future shortstop superstar.
The Brewers have demoted their top position prospects -- Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart -- a few days after sending out top pitchers Jose Capellan and Ben Hendrickson. All three of those hitters will be the first men on call if the Brewers' starters go down. This is who we might root for to get hurt (If we were sick and demented Fantasy owners that did that sort of thing): Fielder -- Lyle Overbay; Weeks -- Junior Spivey; Hart -- Geoff Jenkins or Carlos Lee. Since two is greater than one, go figure, Hart has the best chance to get an early call-up after his hot spring. Weeks and Fielder are both bigger prospects, though, and eventually won't need an injury to be an everyday player. Neither are expected to take over full time in 2005 at this point, though, as the team wants them to get a full season playing together in Triple-A.
A's first-base power prospect Dan Johnson received his pink slip to Triple-A, despite a solid spring in which he hit .395 with three homers and a team-leading 13 runs scored. He had a ridiculous .469 on-base percentage to boot with six walks -- not to mention he struck out just once in 43 at-bats. You don't get any more Moneyball than that. Johnson will have to wait for veteran Scott Hatteberg or Erubiel Durazo to come up lame this season -- again, not that we would ever wish that one anyone.

Retirement tracker:

OK, now for your public service announcement of the week: Cross Kevin Appier off your draft list if you ever had the inclination to write him in in the first place. He's not likely to accept a Triple-A job after failing to make the Royals rotation, so he's waiting for a team to pick him up to make some April starts in the big leagues, according to MLB.com. Good luck. He told the website he will retire if no one gives him a big-league shot.

Information from the Associated Press was used to compile this report.

Bleacher Banter:

Mike Brown, Hudson, Ohio: I got a little carried away with the multi-position players and ended up with both Chone Figgins and Ryan Freel. Obviously, the problem with uber-utility players like this is getting at-bats. I'm in a Rotisserie league, so the variety of stats these guys give me is appealing, but I'm thinking about dropping one of them and picking up a more traditional player like Kevin Mench, Austin Kearns or Jeromy Burnitz. Between Figgins and Freel, which one do you think will have a better season, and do you think it's worth dropping one of them?

B.B.: We absolutely suggest dropping one of them for Mench, Kearns or Burnitz. You are right about at-bats, and Freel is not projected to be a starter at this point. And you can forget about him getting any playing time in that loaded Reds outfield of Kearns, Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey and Wily Mo Pena. Freel might play some second base or third base, but Figgins will start at second and play every day for one of the better teams in the AL. Keep Figgins, drop Freel and pick up Mench or Kearns. Our projections prefer Mench right now -- mostly because of his production last season in a solid young lineup -- but Kearns is as talented as anyone when healthy.

Steven Vecchioni: I can sign either Carl Crawford or Aubrey Huff to a long-term contract in an AL-only league for the same $19. Which one would you sign? (Stolen bases are worth only 10 percent).

B.B.: In a Rotisserie league, Crawford is an invaluable commodity because of his rare speed and developing pop. But your league diminishes his affect in scoring. A true run producer like Huff is the one who will help you the standard points-based system. Huff continues to improve with experience, too, and could develop into a Round 1 Fantasy talent this year.

March 28, 12:30 p.m. ET

By Eric Mack
Senior Fantasy Writer

It's Decision 2005 time in the Sunshine State and in Arizona. Managers are done naming their opening-day starters and now have moved on to setting their rosters and lineups.

The Indians were busy Sunday, deciding to give erstwhile veteran Juan Gonzalez the nod as the starting right fielder. They are hopeful a contending team will motivate him to show he is at least a shell of his former self in run production.

"Juan brings us a presence in the middle of our lineup, and that's something that can't be underestimated," Indians manager Eric Wedge said Sunday. "I hope it makes the team better and him better."

Gonzalez's problem is he hasn't been able to stay on the field. In the past three seasons, he has played in just 185 games -- 33 with Kansas City a year ago because of a bad back.

"The only pressure I have on me is the injuries," he said. "Everything is stay healthy. When I'm healthy, everyone has seen my numbers."

He appears to have blended in well in Cleveland's close-knit clubhouse, which was a must for Wedge who was concerned about Gonzalez's reputation for not always playing through minor injuries, being moody and selfish.

With Coco Crisp in center and converted third baseman Casey Blake in left, the Indians have the makings of an All-Fantasy sleeper outfield. Crisp will have added value in Rotisserie leagues, too, because of his 20-plus steals potential.

Gainer:

Jhonny Peralta, who has one of the toughest easy names to spell, was also named the Indians' starting shortstop over soon-to-be ex-prospect Brandon Phillips. Peralta hit .395 to Phillips' .128 and had better offensive statistics across the board. He has also played well in the field. "Jhonny came in with a slight edge and really held on to it," Wedge said. Peralta will have some intrigue as a sleeper in AL-only leagues because of his upside, and stick him in the back of your mind for waiver claim in mixed leagues.
Third-year pitcher Jeremy Bonderman looks great this spring and is ready for a breakthrough season. The third season tends to be a young pitcher's boon or bust year. Remember, Johan Santana was a third-year arm in 2004, and the rest was Cy Young history. Bonderman should be considered a potential ace in any league his is eligible.
Pat Burrell continues to smoke the ball this spring. He could be bidding to come closer to his 2002 breakthrough than his past two years of Fantasy disappointments. Burrell is a nice sleeper in every league he is eligible.

Decliner:

With Juan Gone in, prospect Grady Sizemore is relegated to opening the season in Triple-A, which doesn't sit well with the top prospect. "I'm not happy about it," said a downcast Sizemore, who was optioned to Buffalo. "I went out and played as hard as I could. I knew they had a decision to make, I just didn't know which way it was going to go." Sizemore batted .291 with one homer and 10 RBI this spring, but struck out 14 times in 55 at-bats. Consider Sizemore a decent waiver-wire option once injuries set in this season. He will be back, but his level of production will depend on how he deals with the demotion.

In the trainer's room:

The D-Backs will have a resolution to their catching dilemma Monday as they have to make a decision on Kelly Stinnett. The decision might be made for them, though, as stud catching prospect Chris Snyder dislocated his finger in the game Saturday. He is getting checked out Monday and could miss some time this week and next. "He is a catching machine," manager Bob Melvin told MLB.com. "It's a foul tip that caught him in a weird spot. He popped it back in and didn't even wince and wanted to go back in the game. ... We'll know more Monday." If he is forced to miss time early this season, it will be a boon to Koyie Hill's Fantasy value. The two were competing for the starting spot this spring. "Koyie is probably going to be more of an offensive type of player, although he has a plus-arm behind the plate," Melvin told MLB.com. "He's really coming along with his game-calling. (Snyder) has that down. He's a great game-caller, and he understands what he is doing back there. He may not hit to the extent Hill can, especially since Hill is a switch-hitter, but he has certainly has had a nice camp."

Prospect tracker:

Promising youngsters Brandon McCarthy -- the Jack McDowell pitching clone with the White Sox -- Dodgers catcher Dioner Navarro, Brewers pitchers Ben Hendrickson and Jose Capellan and Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano are now going to start the season in Triple-A. Each will be a prime pick off the waiver wire once they get the call, which will happen early this season once injuries set in.
Also, Astros outfielders Luke Scott and Willy Taveras are closing in on starting duties until Lance Berkman returns from his serious knee injury. Taveras will be intriguing for his stolen-base potential, while Scott is a Jason Lane clone who could add some surprising pop in the first month of the season.
Top 100 rookies No. 1 Dallas McPherson is expected to make his big-league spring return Monday and should be the opening-day third baseman for the Angels. His power potential makes him a prime AL rookie of the year candidate.

Draft Preview tool of the day:

With the final week of spring training beginning, it's crunch time for your draft, if you haven't held it already. There have been a number of drafts held on CBS SportsLine.com that can help you. Our Draft Averages feature breaks down where all the players are falling in the pecking order in online drafts. It is broken down between mixed, AL-only and NL-only leagues, but it doesn't take into account your league's scoring system. Consider it a consensus tracker.

Information from the Associated Press was used to compile this report.