In putting together this list of the job situations that still need to be settled in the American League, I collaborated with the gang at Baseball Prospectus. To check out their proposed solutions for high-profile roster spots, click here. We'll do the National League tomorrow.
Baltimore Orioles: Starting rotation
The Orioles need big league starting pitchers. Lots of them. They have some terrific young pitching prospects developing in the minor leagues, notably
Chris Tillman and
Brian Matusz, but as
Andy MacPhail said recently, those players will be promoted according to their own developmental needs, and not according to the needs of the Orioles at the big league level.
So that will leave Baltimore manager
Dave Trembley to piece together a rotation behind
Jeremy Guthrie from these candidates:
Koji Uehara,
Radhames Liz,
Chris Waters,
Matt Albers et al. If you are a starting pitcher in search of an opportunity, this is the place to be.
Boston Red Sox: Catcher
Jason Varitek is staying, but he
struggled against right-handed pitchers last season to the point that the Red Sox could consider giving him days off against some hard-throwing righties, in addition to the days when knuckleballer
Tim Wakefield pitches. The other catchers on Boston's roster include
Josh Bard,
Dusty Brown and
George Kottaras. It'll be up to manager
Terry Francona how much to rest Varitek, of course, and how to best match him up.
Chicago White Sox: Starting pitcher
The White Sox are counting on
Mark Buehrle,
John Danks and
Gavin Floyd to man three-fifths of their rotation, and they like what they've seen out of
Bartolo Colon. But they need someone to emerge at the back end.
Cleveland Indians: Starting pitcher
The back end of the Indians' rotation could be a problem area, but the Indians don't lack for candidates behind No. 1 starter Cliff Lee and No. 2 starter Fausto Carmona -- Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Carl Pavano, Anthony Reyes and David Huff are all going to get chances to distinguish themselves in spring training.
Detroit Tigers: Starting rotation
Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said recently that he feels good about the depth he has in starting pitchers and could conceivably have so much that he can make a trade. Among those in the running for the No. 4 and No. 5 slots in the rotation: Armando Galarraga, Zach Miner and a supposedly slimmer Dontrelle Willis.
Kansas City Royals: Second base
Mark Grudzielanek is gone, and now the Royals intend to take a look at Mark Teahen, among others, at the position.
Los Angeles Angels: Left field/designated hitter
There have been a lot of inactive teams in the market this winter, but the Angels might have had the strangest quiet winter. They were willing to dangle some $160 million in front of Mark Teixeira, but despite not winning that bidding, they have basically held back their cash, other than re-signing Juan Rivera, who will be among those who absorb the at-bats left behind by Garret Anderson. Some executives have been surprised that the Angels haven't jumped on someone like Adam Dunn or Bobby Abreu, as the prices have dropped.
Minnesota Twins: Outfield, designated hitter
Twins GM Bill Smith broke down the competition for playing time in an e-mail: "We have five established players for three outfield spots and the DH -- Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez, Jason Kubel, Denard Span and Delmon Young. They give us depth and versatility … three right-handed hitters and two left-handed hitters, and a combination of speed and power. [Manager Ron Gardenhire] will make the decisions on lineups and positions. It poses a challenge to keep everyone happy and playing, but it also gives us depth in the case of an injury."
New York Yankees: Center field
For all the talk about Mike Cameron this winter and for all the dissatisfaction with Melky Cabrera's play last season, the high-spending Yankees looked around and decided to go into spring training with … Cabrera. It figures he will contend with Brett Gardner for the spot. The Yankees do not want to play Johnny Damon in center field, believing that Damon is a good left fielder but less than that as a center fielder.
Oakland Athletics: Shortstop
The A's are currently planning on Bobby Crosby to be their everyday shortstop. But as the prices continue to fall, Oakland is monitoring the bidding on free agent Orlando Cabrera, and at some point, the Athletics will make their move.
Seattle Mariners: Left field
The Mariners are considering adding one more veteran hitter, whether it be Bobby Abreu or Ken Griffey Jr., but they have to clear some payroll to do it.
Tampa Bay Rays: Closer
The Rays are hopeful that Troy Percival will return to his role of closer for at least part of the year. But given his multiple breakdowns last season, it figures that Tampa Bay will have to mix and match in that spot, as the Rays did during the playoffs last year with Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour and David Price.
Texas Rangers: Shortstop
The Rangers have cleared the way for Elvis Andrus to take over at shortstop, after moving Michael Young to third base.
Toronto Blue Jays: Starting pitcher
Dustin McGowan should be back sometime in the first couple of months, but Shaun Marcum is lost for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, leaving open some spots in the Jays rotation for Toronto's young starters, like Ricky Romero and Brett Cecil, to vie for. There is opportunity here.
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Buster Olney
