FLB: Chat Wrap Feb. 22

Tristan H. Cockcroft: Good morning everyone! Let's get right to your questions...

Zach (NYC): I've seen reports that Nelson Cruz is going into camp as the frontrunner for the RF job in Texas. I've also seen reports that seem to totally contradict that. What do you think will happen with the Cruz/Sosa/Wilkerson/Diaz/Byrd combo?

Tristan H. Cockcroft: I think there are plenty of matchup options to be had in Texas, really. Nelson Cruz and Sammy Sosa should be able to handle left-handers, Brad Wilkerson and Kenny Lofton right-handers. I have a feeling one or more of these guys will fizzle out during spring training, and I'll bet Marlon Byrd and then Sosa are most likely. That'd leave Lofton playing fairly regularly in center, Frank Catalanotto mostly in left, right field is a straight Wilkerson/Cruz platoon, with the hot hand earning most of the later-season time. (I like Cruz's upside there.) And at DH, let's not discount Jason Botts. No reason he can't take the spot Sosa seems written into right now.

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