Spring has sprung and jobs are to be won.
The many that haven't are probably the reason you're not drafting yet. Why force a guess when you can just wait and find out?
Well, that's your luxury, not mine. I'm drafting constantly, so I have to know exactly what I'm getting into. To that end, I've come up with what I consider to be the 25 position battles of greatest interest to Fantasy owners.
Notice the way I worded that. It's not all-inclusive, so before you say, "But what about ...?" you should already know the answer: It's not one of the 25 keeping me up at night.
And sometimes the reason is because I don't think it's much of a battle. Truth is Jake McGee, David Hernandez and Fernando Rodney haven't officially won the closer battles in Colorado, Philadelphia and San Diego, respectively, but they don't have any obvious challengers either. I feel like I can draft them with confidence even though they're technically "battling."
For each of these scenarios, I give both my preferred choice and who I believe is the likely choice, but I say it with greater confidence for some than others. You'll just have to read to know exactly how I feel.
What a concept, I know.
Marlins closer
Preferred choice: Capps
Likely choice: Ramos
This one gets first billing because either could emerge as a top closer. Ramos thrived in the role last year, which is why I expect the Marlins to take an if-it-ain't-broke approach, but Capps was the most dominant reliever in baseball (1.10 FIP) for the 31 innings he was healthy -- and that's saying something with today's reliever crop. Of course, Capps' newfound elbow concerns could end this competition before it starts.
Blue Jays closer
Preferred choice: Osuna
Likely choice: Storen
It's still not completely clear that Osuna is out of the rotation conversation, but as good as he was as a closer last year, that's where Fantasy owners would prefer to see him again. Unfortunately, manager John Gibbons likes the idea of using him as a multi-inning reliever, which by his own admission would give Storen the edge in the closer battle. Not that he's a bad choice, by any means.
Rockies shortstop
Preferred choice: Reyes
Likely choice: Toss-up
Though not a position battle in the traditional sense, this situation will sort of play out like one given the many layers of Reyes' domestic abuse charge. He's on paid leave until the legal side is complete, which isn't slated to begin until Opening Day but could end whenever with a plea agreement. Either way, a suspension of undetermined length could then keep him out ... weeks? Months? Who knows? If Story proves capable, seems like the Rockies could just avoid the PR hit and dump Reyes.
Astros first baseman
Preferred choice: Reed
Likely choice: Singleton
This offseason, general manager Jeff Luhnow said the first base job is Singleton's to lose, but all that means is the Astros want him to win it. And of course they do: He has already signed to a long-term deal. But this talk of Reed wrangling away the job just won't die. Sacrificing a year of team control for a few weeks' production isn't exactly the Astros' M.O., but they're playing to win now. At this stage, Fantasy owners have to consider the rookie the more promising late-round flier.
Nationals shortstop
Preferred choice: Turner
Likely choice: Espinosa
The hiring of Dusty Baker, a notorious journeyman apologist, seemed certain to delay Turner's arrival another few months, but for now at least, he's keeping an open mind. Espinosa, the front-runner, wouldn't be a complete waste since he at least offers better-than-average pop for a middle infielder, but Turner's across-the-board skill set gives him a chance to be a perennial All-Star at Fantasy's neediest position.
Astros closer
Preferred choice: Giles
Likely choice: Gregerson
The very idea of this one is stupid after the Astros gave up two of their top pitching prospects and then some for Giles this offseason, but I'll address it for two reasons: They continue to play coy about it, prolonging the speculation, and the slim chance of them keeping Gregerson in the role would upend the many Fantasy owners investing heavily in Giles, who has elite upside.
Astros fifth starter
Preferred choice: Fiers
Likely choice: Fiers
Though another position battle that really shouldn't be, this one should still rank high on Fantasy owners' radar because Fiers is actually a pretty valuable player and would be a surefire middle-round pick if not for these reports of him possibly moving to the bullpen. Feldman is recovering from shoulder surgery, though, and isn't nearly as effective when healthy, so I'm willing to bet that even if the Astros go that route, it won't last long.
Cubs go-to bench bat
Preferred choice: Toss-up
Likely choice: Soler
The winner is the better mixed-league sleeper. Baez already looked like he'd have to contend with Chris Coghlan for at-bats, but then on the same day the Cubs traded Coghlan, they signed Dexter Fowler, bumping Soler from the starting lineup. Baez is the more versatile of the two, able to play both the infield and the outfield, but maybe that means Soler is the go-to outfield fill-in. Of course, that's assuming the Cubs keep both on the roster. They may prefer to have one percolating in the minors just to ensure both develop properly.
Brewers closer
Preferred choice: Smith
Likely choice: Smith
The Brewers did us all a favor by eliminating Corey Knebel right off the bat, but then again, he would have been the most natural choice as a former college closer. The Brewers may be playing the long game with him, in which case turning the job over to Smith temporarily to build up his trade value would make sense. Certainly, his strikeout rate is more befitting of a closer than Jeffress'.
Phillies fifth starter
Preferred choice: Velasquez
Likely choice: Velasquez
As a relief pitcher-eligible starting pitcher, Velasquez could be a huge asset in Head-to-Head points leagues especially, and judging from his minor-league strikeout rates, he's a sleeper across the board. We'd like to know he has the job first, though, and so far the rebuilding Phillies have given every indication that they aren't going to play any service-time games with him.
Angels fourth and fifth starters
Preferred choices: Heaney, Shoemaker
Likely choices: Toss-up
This one is actually two position battles in one, and none of the five choices would be completely worthless in Fantasy. But none is especially high-end either, with Heaney and Tommy John returnee Skaggs being the closest thing to upside plays. Shoemaker had respectable numbers over the final two-thirds of last season, though, and Santiago was actually an All-Star before his second-half collapse. Wide open, this one.
Twins center fielder (sort of)
Preferred choice: Buxton
Likely choice: Buxton
The assumption is Buxton will win the job, but the former second overall pick was clearly rushed last year and could go down for more seasoning if Kepler or Arcia, two prospects in their own right, outperform him this spring. Of course, he'd be the only one of the three to play center field, in all likelihood, but Eddie Rosario could slide over if it comes to that.
Braves closer
Preferred choice: Toss-up
Likely choice: Grilli
This one's the lowest-ranked of the closer conundrums, but that has less to do with the ability of the candidates or the Braves as a whole than my belief that it's not really much of a competition. It'll go to Grilli provided he's back to form after what was an especially serious injury for a 39-year-old. The Braves have more to lose financially from Vizcaino piling up saves, but he'll be as good as Grilli if needed.
Mariners fifth starter
Preferred choice: Toss-up
Likely choice: Paxton
The Mariners traded for Karns in large part because they thought they were losing Hisashi Iwakuma to free agency, but with Iwakuma's unexpected return, they have a dilemma on their hands. Paxton is presumed to have the early edge, but seeing as he hasn't thrown even 100 innings in a season since 2014, this situation might take care of itself. Neither is a surefire mixed-leaguer anyway, though they both have some sleeper appeal.
Reds utility player
Preferred choice: Peraza
Likely choice: Toss-up
You have to love the Reds' enthusiasm for Peraza, who they had already have penciled in as their starting second baseman if Brandon Phillips had only accepted that trade to the Nationals this offseason. And because he came up a shortstop and also has experience in center field, they're open to keeping him around as a super utility type. More likely than De Jesus, it'd be someone like Adam Duvall, Yorman Rodriguez or Rule 5 pick Jake Cave getting bumped if Peraza makes it, but he's the one you want, in any case, for the steals potential.
White Sox shortstop
Preferred choice: Anderson
Likely choice: Rollins
The White Sox only signed Rollins to a minor-league deal, so while he's obviously the big name here and presumably the preferred bridge to Anderson, a top prospect with Brandon Phillips-like potential (the one who had power, that is), nothing has been promised. Saladino is so lacking offensively, though, that it seems a foregone conclusion, provided Anderson doesn't rewrite the script this spring.
Cardinals first baseman
Preferred choice: Toss-up
Likely choice: Toss-up
MLB.com reporter Jenifer Langosch called Moss the front-runner in January, but more recent reports have suggested it's a coin flip. Both are power-first hitters, with Moss offering a better track record but Adams a little more upside, particularly in batting average, so in the long run, you don't really care who takes it in Fantasy. You just want it to be one or the other so you can actually use the one.
Cubs fifth starter
Preferred choice: Hendricks
Likely choice: Hendricks
Given the strides he made last season, I would have never believed Hendricks' rotation spot was up for grabs if the Chicago Sun-Times hadn't reported it in February, but hey, the Cubs did acquire Warren for the steep price of an already-locked-up Starlin Castro this offseason. You could make the case, too, he'd be the more valuable choice in Fantasy since he's relief pitcher-eligible, but we have a better idea what we're getting from Hendricks. And it's good enough to matter.
Rays first baseman
Preferred choice: Pearce
Likely choice: Loney
You could lump Steven Souza into this group, making it a four-man competition for two spots, but the assumption is that Corey Dickerson spends more of his time at DH than right field, making only first base available. Pearce still has some momentum from his stellar half-season two years ago, giving him the best chance of making a mixed-league contribution, but he's also the one right-handed hitter on a team that thrives on platoons.
Twins fourth and fifth starters
Likely choices: Duffey, Milone
Preferred choices: Duffey, May
As if two openings isn't intriguing enough, this position battle has the potential to get much more interesting if prospect Jose Berrios becomes a legitimate candidate, but for now, he's on the periphery. Duffey and May were both on mixed-league rosters at one point last year and are the upside plays of the group, especially Duffey and his wicked curveball, but the Twins owe lots of money to Nolasco and apparently some sort of favor to Milone.
Blue Jays left fielder
Preferred choice: Pompey
Likely choice: Saunders
Saunders is the heir apparent to Ben Revere's vacated left field spot, but his inclusion in the Jay Bruce deal that wasn't to be revealed the Blue Jays' level of commitment to him -- or lack thereof. He's the damaged relic of a bygone regime. Pompey is inevitability knocking -- and a base-stealer to boot.
Blue Jays fifth starter
Preferred choice: Sanchez
Likely choice: Toss-up
Is anyone excited about Hutchison anymore? Apparently, the Blue Jays aren't either because they devoted much of their offseason to finding a replacement for him. Sanchez has been at his best out of the bullpen and may wind up back there, but his career is too new for the Blue Jays to close the door on him starting. He's the only one of these four who fires the imagination in any way, and if he secures the spot, he's a good bet to be drafted in Head-to-Head points leagues since he's relief pitcher-eligible.
Padres left fielder
Preferred choice: Toss-up
Likely choice: Jay
This one wouldn't be a game-changer outside of NL-only leagues, but Jankowski and Blash have the potential to be category specialists if they can beat out the veteran for the job, the former offering speed and the latter offering power. Blash's Rule 5 status gives him a good chance of at least making the roster. Keep in mind that center field is another possibility for Jay with only Melvin Upton there.
Reds left fielder
Preferred choice: Winker
Likely choice: Toss-up
This battle might not have even made the list if not for manager Bryan Price's recent suggestion that the last name, Winker, could come away with the job. The 22-year-old is a long shot after spending last season at Double-A, but his monster finish there makes him out to be potentially the Reds' best homegrown player since Joey Votto, offering a similar (as close as it gets, anyway) batting eye. Schebler and Duvall both showed good power in the minors, for what it's worth.
Diamondbacks fifth starter
Preferred choice: Bradley
Likely choice: Ray
Chances are Ray would have to bomb this spring to lose the job, and he showed enough strikeout potential in his 23 starts last year that Fantasy owners would still be pleased with that outcome. Bradley is the big prospect, though, and looked capable against minor-leaguers before taking a liner to the head last season. His walk rate says he still has work to do, though. Any of the three would have some measure of sleeper appeal, but upside is always the preference.
