Spring training battles

 My gut feeling is that, across baseball, there will be significantly fewer battles for roster positions this spring.  It just seems like, all the way down to veteran minor league invitees, there are very few open spots on most teams that are in a position to compete this year, they have been aggressive all the way down to their 26th roster spot.  I could be wrong, way wrong, but this is what my gut is telling me.

Nowhere is this more true, I think, than Cleveland, at least with the present configuration of the roster.  

But, just for grins, let's look at the 26 and see where these battles for opening day roster spots could possibly develop during ST.  This exercise will not consider injuries or poor performances although it will mention 'next man up' situations in case those unfortunate things happen.

Starting Pitchers (5) - 

Situation: All set 

• Starters: 
• Beiber 
• McKenzie
• Quantrill
• Plesac
• Civale
• Next man up (in order): Pilkington, Curry, Gaddis, Allen, Battenfield

Bullpen (8)

Situation: May need one:

• Closer: Clase
• Setup men: Stephan, Karnchak, Hentges
• Middle relievers/longmen: Sandlin, De Los Santos, Morgan
• Need (1).  Choose from
• Morris (most likely)
• Curry
• Gaddis
• Herrin
• Free agent signing (will require DFA of someone on 40-man roster)
• Next man up (minor league free agent signing, Mikolajchak, Misiasek, Enight*, Kelly*) - may require DFA of someone on current roster.

* - assumes they are returned from Rule 5 draft

Catcher (2)

Situation: Have to select a backup

• Starter: Zunino
• Backup (pick one)
• Lavastida (most likely)
• Naylor
• Minor league signing (likely will require DFA of someone on roster
• Gallagher (most likely)
• Viloria 
• Fry
• Next man up (those who do not open the season with the ML team)

Infielders (7)

Situation - all set

• First baseDH - Naylor, Bell
• Second base: Gimenez
• Shortstop: Rosario
• Third Base: Ramirez
• Utility: Arias (1B/2B/SS/3B/LF)
• Utility #2 - Freeman (2B/SS)
• Nest men up
• Rocchio
• Tena
• Martinez
• Fry (1B/LF/C)
• Noel (1B/LF/3B)

Outfielder (4)

• LF - Swan
• CF - Straw
• RF - Gonzalez
• Utility: Brennan
• Next men up
• Benson
• Palacios
• Valera

SUMMARY

In mapping this out we may need to make a decision on our last member of the bullpen, our backup catcher and our #2 utility infielder.   Morris (bullpen) and Freeman (utility infielder #2) have the inside track to those positions right now.  Backup catch is up for grabs but if Lavastida or Naylor have good springs it will likely be one of them.  If not, then we would have to add Gallagher, Viloria or even Fry.

So, in reality, although there is competition for 3 of the 26 man roster spots, the only one that doesn't have a clear front runner is backup catcher.  One real spot up for grabs.   Not bad for entering ST.

Now for our guys to just stay healthy and perform......