30 teams, 30 questions for spring training 

February, 22, 2012
2/22/12
10:35
AM ET
By Jim Bowden | ESPN.com

Heading into spring training, every general manager has a list of questions that he wants answered. Whether that's seeing if a player has rebounded from surgery or if an aging veteran has any gas left in the tank. It might be a position battle that needs resolving or which youngster might step up and make the team. Here's a look at all 30 teams and what remains the biggest question for each. We'll start with the American League.

American League

Baltimore Orioles
This team has plenty of questions, including whether any of its young players will develop any further. But after trading pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, the rotation is nothing but question marks. What will it look like come Opening Day? If guys like Brian Matusz can't figure it out, this could easily be a 100-loss team.

Boston Red Sox
Although there are questions regarding the back end of the starting rotation and bullpen, right field and the health of Carl Crawford, the most pressing concern is shortstop. Can rookie Jose Iglesias hit enough to win the starting job?


To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Jim Bowden
Jim Bowden

Bowden, who served as the senior vice president and GM for the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals, is an analyst for ESPN.com. In 1992, Bowden became the youngest GM in MLB history when the Reds hired him at age 31. The Reds finished in first place twice during his 10 years as GM, and he was named MLB Executive of the Year by Baseball America in 1999. After working for ESPN in 2004, Bowden became the first GM of the Washington Nationals when the franchise relocated from Montreal to Washington, D.C., in 2005, working in that role until the 2009 season. Bowden co-hosts the "Inside Pitch" radio show on Sirius XM satellite radio. Follow on Twitter: @JimBowdenESPNxm.

FOLLOW JIM BOWDEN ON TWITTER

ESPN's MLB coverage on Twitter »

FREE AGENT VALUE BOARD

Hamilton

What kind of contract will top free agents like Josh Hamilton get and where are they most likely to land this offseason? Bowden examines the top 50 free agents. Story »

SUBSCRIBE:

BLOG ARCHIVE:

CATEGORIES:

RECENT UPDATES

SEARCH THIS BLOG