2007 Position Battle: AL Starting Pitcher
Minnesota Twins: 5th spot
Candidates:
Sidney Ponson
Matt Garza
Scott Baker
Glen Perkins
Edge: Sidney Ponson--Manager Ron Gardenhire recently told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that veterans Carlos Silva, Ramon Ortiz, and Ponson have the edge on the next three spots behind Johan Santana. We'll concede Silva and Ortiz, add Boof Bonser as a definite, and call it an open race between Ponson, Matt Garza, Scott Baker, and Glen Perkins for the fifth job. Ponson does nothing for us from a fantasy standpoint, and our hope is that Garza or Perkins steps up to the challenge.
Chicago White Sox: 5th spot
Candidates:
Gavin Floyd
Charlie Haeger
Edge: Gavin Floyd--Floyd enters preseason play with a very slight edge on his competition, but there's a long list of youngsters on his heels. Charlie Haeger, Nick Masset, John Danks, Gio Gonzalez, Lance Broadway, and Heath Phillips have all been mentioned in the mix. Masset appears to be headed for the bullpen, and Danks, Gonzalez, and Broadway don't have the luxury of currently being on the 40-man roster. Thus, we believe Floyd or Haeger will get the first crack at the fifth spot in the rotation, but manager Ozzie Guillen could have a revolving door all season.
Baltimore Orioles: 5th spot
Candidates:
Steve Trachsel
Hayden Penn
Edge: Steve Trachsel--This battle is more for fantasy value than for an actual spot. The Orioles moved quickly to grab Trachsel after Kris Benson revealed his shoulder injury. Trachsel's presence means Hayden Penn will either head to the bullpen or Triple-A. Still, the 22-year-old Penn could make some noise with a solid spring and has some fantasy value. Trachsel, Jaret Wright, and Daniel Cabrera are no strangers to injuries and/or ineffectiveness, and Penn is likely the first guy the Orioles would call on to fill a slot.
Oakland Athletics: 5th spot
Candidates:
Joe Kennedy
Brad Halsey
Edge: Joe Kennedy--The A's haven't hidden the opinion that Kennedy will be the fifth starter, but, publicly, they are throwing a few other names in the running. Brad Halsey, Lenny DiNardo, Jason Windsor, and Shane Komine have all been mentioned, but we figure it's really down to Kennedy and Halsey. Kennedy did excellent work out of the bullpen in 2006 and has had a little success as a major league starter (namely in 2004 with the Rockies). Fantasy owners in AL-only leagues will want to know Kennedy's name, provided he doesn't blow up this spring.
Texas Rangers: 4th and 5th spots
Candidates:
Robinson Tejeda
Kameron Loe
Edinson Volquez
John Koronka
John Rheinecker
Josh Rupe
Bruce Chen
Jamey Wright
Edge: Robinson Tejeda--The Rangers own probably the most wide-open competition in the AL. Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, and Brandon McCarthy are chiseled into the top three spots. After that? Manager Ron Washington said the fourth spot is Tejeda's to lose, and we're not so certain he won't cough it up. Kameron Loe, Edinson Volquez, John Koronka, Josh Rupe, Bruce Chen, Jamey Wright, and John Rheinecker are all in the running for the fifth (and possibly the fourth) slot. Fun. Fantasy owners should only count on Millwood, Padilla and McCarthy until the rest of this mess shakes out.
Kansas City Royals: 4th and 5th spots
Candidates:
Jorge De La Rosa
Brian Bannister
Zach Greinke
Edge: None--Some reporters believe the Royals have already determined four spots, but at the moment, we're only counting on Gil Meche, Odalis Perez, and Luke Hudson. The final two jobs will almost certainly go to a combination of Jorge De La Rosa, Brian Bannister, and Zach Greinke. Since we are only focused on Opening Day, Scott Elarton is not typically mentioned in the mix, but the rehabbing right-hander could be ready by May 1. There's not much for fantasy owners to love here, but, hey, we're talking about the Royals.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 5th spot
Candidates:
J.P. Howell
Brian Stokes
Jason Hammel
Tim Corcoran
Edwin Jackson
Jae-Kuk Ryu
Edge: None--It feels like a long time since the Devil Rays were so settled at starting pitcher, but manager Joe Maddon has already filled the top four spots with Scott Kazmir, Jae Seo, James Shields, and Casey Fossum. The fifth slot is basically open to anyone who shows up to Rays' camp. Actually, J.P. Howell, Brian Stokes, Jason Hammel, Tim Corcoran, Edwin Jackson, and Jae-Kuk Ryu are the six candidates. Excuse us while we yawn and wake us when Jeff Niemann gets called up from the minors.
Source: Fanball.com
