2007 Position Battles: Shortstop

Colorado Rockies

Candidates:
Troy Tulowitzki
Clint Barmes

Edge: None--Most Rockies fans and fantasy baseball prognosticators would love to hand this job to Troy Tulowitzki, but manager Clint Hurdle isn't out to simply please us. Tulowitzki, a first-round pick in the 2005 draft, took over for Clint Barmes in September of last season. The two are now battling this spring. Barmes, 28, is a quality defender who is trying to re-find his swing. Tulowitzki, 22, is the future stud who may need a bit more seasoning.

Toronto Blue Jays

Candidates:
Royce Clayton
John McDonald

Edge: Royce Clayton--The 37-year-old Clayton will likely open the season as the starter. However, John McDonald started 76 games at the spot last year and may split the job with Clayton. Either way, there's not much to like here for fantasy baseball owners.

Washington Nationals

Candidates:
Cristian Guzman
Felipe Lopez

Edge: Cristian Guzman--In 2006, Guzman missed the entire season after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. He has experienced further soreness this spring, but Guzman is hitting and expects to field in an exhibition game within the coming weeks. If healthy, Guzman is the starter. If not, Felipe Lopez may move from second to short, and Ronnie Belliard could move into the starting lineup.

Oakland Athletics

Candidates:
Bobby Crosby
Marco Scutaro

Edge: Bobby Crosby--As fantasy owners know, Crosby has not been the picture of healthy over the past two seasons. He is still rehabbing following back surgery, and Marco Scutaro has been starting in his place. Crosby has been swinging a bat, but we're not going to consider him the clear-cut starter until he gets on the field and shows he's up to the job. At 27, Crosby's potential remains intriguing, especially compared to the offensive stats Scutaro provides.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Candidates:
Ben Zobrist
B.J. Upton

Edge: Ben Zobrist--Zobrist moved up from Double-A to Triple-A to the majors (and from Houston to Tampa Bay) in 2006, and he took over the starting gig for the Rays. Many fantasy owners may not have noticed because Zobrist batted .224 with only two home runs and 10 runs over 52 games. With work like that, you'd think the Devil Rays might open up the job this spring, but it basically belongs to this 25-year-old. Zobrist batted .324 with a .876 OPS over his minor league career, so we have a bit of hope for his fantasy baseball fortunes. B.J. Upton, the former shortstop of the future, is working at other positions and is not a real threat to Zobrist's job.
Source: Fanball.com