These positions will have competition, platoons, new eligibility for players and a chance for someone to shine. These will not be players I am endorsing or expecting you to draft but ones who should be on your radar or watch list. We all know that once someone is given that chance at starting they may never look back. We will revisit this post through spring training and keep a dynamic perspective about each position.
NL EAST
Atlanta-1B: A couple of choices here. The highly touted 21 year old rookie Freddie Freeman or the highly average (yes, I have decided someone can be highly average) Eric Hinske. Hinske does have 1B, 3B, OF eligibility.
Florida-CF: The Marlins will give the early nod to Scott Cousins. He has been projected a middle of the order hitter with some speed. Ceiling is 15/15.
NY Mets-CF&RF: Two spots but three players. Carlos Beltrán, Ángel Pagán, and Nick Evans.
Washington-LF: The Nats have former pitcher turned outfielder Rick Ankiel and Roger Bernadina. Both hit from the left side.
NL CENTRAL
Chicago-2B: In Chicago you have the light hitting Blake DeWitt or the lighter hitting Darwin Barney.
Cincinnati-SS: The Reds recently signed multiple WS MVP Édgar Rentería who should have the edge over slick fielding Paul Janish. Neither is the type of player that could bat in the lead-off position that the Reds desperately need.
Astros-LF: With El Cabio moving to 1B for the departed Lance Berkman the Astros have a trio of inexperienced OF who could man Left Field come opening day. The include Brian Bogusevic, Jason Bourgeois , and Jason Michaels.
Brewers-CF: With top prospect Lorenzo Cain moving to the Royals in the Greinke trade The Brew Crew is left with incumbent Carlos Gómez and recently acquired from the the Reds Chris Dickerson.
Pittsburgh-1B: Has the option of left hitting Lyle Overbay or righty Steve Pearce.
Pittsburgh-RF: Is the Ryan Doumit outfield experiment over? If it is here are the next in line. Garrett Jones or Matt Diaz.
St. Louis-3B: The obvious choice is David Freese but after his injury last year other stepped in and contributed. Additional options are Allen Craig and Tyler Greene with eligibility at 2B, 3B, and SS.
NL WEST
Colorado-3B: Ian Stewart (who I own in my Dynasty League) may be challenged this year if he does not perform early. Waiting in the wings are newly signed José López and Ty Wigginton who has 1B, 2B ,and 3B eligibility.
Colorado-OF: These four should bide for both CF & LF spots. Seth Smith, Eric Young, Dexter Fowler, and Ryan Spilborghs each bring a different skill set to the game, this just emphasizes once again that Colorado always has one of the strongest benches in all of baseball.
Los Angeles-LF: Now that Manny is gone Mattingly will have to decide between Jay Gibbons, Xavier Paul, or Tony Gwynn. They are no Manny but they are not a sideshow either.
San Diego-LF: Will have a choice between the under appreciated Will Venable or the former Cubs draft pick Eric Patterson.
San Francisco-RF: If Brandon Belt breaks camp at 1B Aubrey Huff will man RF. If not move Huff back to 1B and choose between Nate Schierholtz or Mark DeRosa (DeRosa will only have OF eligibility to start the year after last years injury).
Arizona-3B: A couple of veterans will battle for the starting spot in the dessert. Melvin Mora (1B, 2B, 3B eligibility) should get the nod but Geoff Blum (1B, 2B, SS, 3B eligibility) just hits and hits when given a chance to start. They should both be looked at carefully in H2H leagues due to their multi position eligibility.
Arizona-1B: If rookie Brandon Allen does not break camp with the job it will fall back to Xavier Nady.
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