2007 Position Battle: AL Outfield

Baltimore Orioles (LF)

Candidates:
Jay Payton
Kevin Millar
Aubrey Huff

Edge: Jay Payton--As noted in the first base position battles article, the Orioles have three positions (first base, left field, DH) to split between four players – Payton, Aubrey Huff, Kevin Millar, and Jay Gibbons. Payton is the leading candidate to see time in left, but Millar and Huff will likely spend time there as well. Payton is also versatile enough to be the primary backup to Patterson in center and Nick Markakis in right.

Chicago White Sox (LF, CF)

Candidates:
Darin Erstad
Brian Anderson
Scott Podsednik
Ryan Sweeney

Edge: Darin Erstad, Brian Anderson--Erstad and Anderson are the best bets to start on Opening Day, but the White Sox outfield situation is subject to change throughout the season. Scott Podsednik will take over in left field whenever he's recovered from sports hernia surgery. He is not expected to be ready on April 2, but Pods could be back shortly thereafter. Anderson is currently trying to hold off Ryan Sweeney, who will go back to Triple-A if he doesn't win a starting gig. If Anderson starts the season slowly, either Erstad or Sweeney could take over the job. The Sox also have the versatile Rob Mackowiak and youngsters Josh Fields and Jerry Owens looking for major league at-bats.

Kansas City Royals (RF)

Candidates:
Mark Teahen
Reggie Sanders

Edge: Mark Teahen--Still wondering if the Royals are willing to hand the third base job to Alex Gordon and move Teahen to the outfield? Through five spring games, Gordon has started four games at third, and all of Teahen's three appearances have come in right field. David DeJesus is set in center and Emil Brown is steady in right, which means Teahen's move will come at the expense of veteran Reggie Sanders.

Cleveland Indians (LF, RF)

Candidates:
David Dellucci
Trot Nixon
Jason Michaels
Casey Blake

Edge: David Dellucci, Trot Nixon--Indians manager Eric Wedge will be checking the pitching probables much more often than fantasy baseball owners this season. Grady Sizemore will be the everyday starter in center, but the corner spots will depend on which arm the opposing pitcher uses. If a right-hander is on the mound, Dellucci and Nixon (who has a sore back) will start. If a southpaw is twirling, the Indians will likely use Jason Michaels (left field) and Casey Blake (right field). Our big issue with this mess (other than the obvious) is that the platoons leave virtually no space for Shin-Soo Choo and Franklin Gutierrez.

Oakland Athletics (RF, LF, CF)

Candidates:
Milton Bradley
Shannon Stewart
Mark Kotsay

Edge: Milton Bradley, Shannon Stewart, Mark Kotsay--In the words of my colleague, this is not so much of a "battle" as a "foggy situation." The A's were seemingly set with the above trio until Kotsay began having back issues. His medical dossier is thick with past back issues, and we're not terribly optimistic about Kotday's outlook. If he remains sidelined, Bradley will shift from right to center, Nick Swisher will move from first base to right field, and Dan Johnson will start at first. Of course, all of this assumes Stewart's oft-injured foot holds up. What about super-sub Bobby Kielty? He is coming off knee surgery and simply trying to be ready for Opening Day.

March 14th update: Kotsay will undergo back surgery and be out for 8-12 weeks. It looks like the A's will start the season with Bradley in CF, Stewart in LF, and Swisher in RF, with Dan Johnson getting the nod at 1B. Kielty is still recovering from knee surgery.

Texas Rangers (LF)

Candidates:
Brad Wilkerson
Frank Catalanotto
Sammy Sosa

Edge: Brad Wilkerson--Sammy Sosa has a firm grip on the biggest comeback storyline in Rangers camp, but the front office is likely rooting just as much for Wilkerson. Shoulder and forearms injuries have severely hindered Wilkerson the last two seasons, and he required right shoulder surgery last year. Prior to his ailments, Wilkerson swatted 32 home runs and sported a .375 OBP in 2004. If he is healthy and looks like that potent hitter of old, Brad will start in left field. If not, Frank Catalanotto will split time or take over the gig.

Toronto Blue Jays (LF)

Candidates:
Reed Johnson
Adam Lind

Edge: Reed Johnson--This "battle" may be more in our dreams than in reality. Johnson earned an everyday gig with his excellent hitting in 2006, and the Blue Jays don't have another good candidate for their leadoff spot. The problem is that with Johnson in left, Frank Thomas locked in at DH, Lyle Overbay fixed at first, and Matt Stairs set as a fourth outfielder, the Blue Jays have no room for Adam Lind. Their top prospect is clearly ready for the majors (at least with the bat), and we are eager for him to help fantasy teams. Lind is currently seeing time in left while Johnson is nursing a sore back, and trade rumors continue to swirl around right fielder Alexis Rios.
Source: Fanball.com