Positional battles: American League East

March 13, 9:38 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Here’s a quick look at some of the positional battles from the American League Eastern Division.  The winners of these battles will likely come out of Spring Training with starting jobs.
 

• Baltimore Orioles 3rd-5th starter: Rich Hill vs. Adam Eaton vs. Brad Hennessey vs. Danys Baez vs. Mark Hendrickson vs. David Pauley vs. Chris Waters vs. Radhames Liz

After Jeremy Guthrie and Koji Uehara, the Orioles rotation is wide open.  Rich Hill probably gets a spot as a lefty who’s had some success in the past.  After that, I’m guessing Eaton and Hendrickson, whose presence allows the Orioles to keep their young pitchers in the minors for a little longer.

• Boston Red Sox 5th starter: Justin Masterson vs. Clay Buchholz

Masterson and Buchholz (pictured) will hold down the 5th spot in the rotation until Brad Penny and/or John Smoltz are healthy and ready to contribute.  At that point, Masterson will probably go to the bullpen and Buchholz to the minors.

• Boston Red Sox shortstop: Julio Lugo vs. Jed Lowrie

Lugo has the big contract, but so far hasn’t performed well as a starter.  Lowrie has the better numbers and is the future at that position in Boston, so I’m guessing he gets the nod.

• New York Yankees third baseman (while A-Rod is out): Cody Ransom vs. Justin Leone

It’s a battle of big league journeymen to fill in while A-Rod’s out.  The Yanks say they aren’t trading for a replacement, but once they see what these two offer they just might change their mind.

• New York Yankees center fielder: Nick Swisher vs. Melky Cabrera vs. Brett Gardner

Swisher could possibly be dealt, or might become the primary backup outfielder/first baseman.  Cabrera has had a few chances in center but hasn’t locked up the job, so I think this one’s wide open.

• Tampa Bay Rays right fielder: Gabe Kapler vs. Matt Joyce vs. Gabe Gross

Two of these guys will settle into a righty/lefty platoon situation.  I think it will be Kapler and Gross, with Joyce heading to Triple A for the time being.

• Tampa Bay Rays 5th starter/long reliever: Jason Hammel vs. Jeff Niemann

If David Price is kept in the rotation (and he can’t be held back for too long), then one of these guys is gone.  It will be a true head to head battle to see who’s kept as a long reliever (or interim 5th starter) in Tampa Bay.  Both are out of minor league options.

• Tampa Bay Rays closer: Troy Percival vs. Jason Isringhausen vs. Dan Wheeler vs. Grant Balfour

Percival is the incumbent, and Isringhausen has closing experience, but both have serious injury issues.  Balfour and Wheeler both looked excellent in the late innings during Tampa Bay’s 2008 playoff run – my bet is Percival gets the nod to open 2009.

• Toronto Blue Jays left fielder/designated hitter: Travis Snider vs. Adam Lind vs. Kevin Millar

Snider is one of Toronto’s top prospects, and Adam Lind is a former top prospect who hasn’t really gotten a chance.  They will battle it out for the left field job, while the loser of that will face off with Kevin Millar to be the team’s DH.

Next, I'll take a look at some of the positional battles of the American League West.