Fantasy World: The Battle Fallout

How will camp battles be reflected in fantasy value?

by Rick Paulas

While you were distracted by Bud Selig's favorite child—the awesome, amazing, fantastic, etc. WBC—a whole lot has been happening in spring training. Namely, position battles have been won, lost, and some continue on. Let's get you all up to speed by running down the list of those who have already had their fates decided and a handful more who still have a few more rock'em sock'em rounds left to go. Bottom line is this: a lot of these guys won't have popped up as serious considerations in your draft, but a lot of them may have just locked themselves into 400-plus at bats or a ton of innings and thus could be excellent pickups during the season.

And even if you don't see anything you like here, these are guys you should be tracking. Don't say we didn't warn ya'.

Peace Treaties Signed

Indians Fifth Starter: Scott Lewis over Aaron Laffey
Laffey was the one with more big-league experience, but Lewis sported a 3.52 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 15 spring training innings, as well as being on the receiving end of a compliment from GM Mark Shapiro, who called him the "most consistent" of his pitchers. Lewis isn't a bad sleeper in AL-only leagues, but don't expect that spring training strikeout rate to continue: He shouldn't get more than 10 wins and an ERA in the mid-4.00s.

Mariners Catcher: Kenji Johjima over Jeff Clement
At this point, you have to consider the distinct possibility that the Mariners just hate Clement. A highly-touted youngster who held his own against major league pitching in his first go-round last year, Clement was supposed to take over full-time catching duties this season until the M's made the head-scratching move of signing the 33-year-old Johjima to a 3-year deal. So fine, you think, Clement will take over DH duty. Not so fast, says management as they sign Ken Griffey Jr. to a one-year deal with a few full seats in mind. The most troubling part of the two deals is that both can arguably seen as attempts to sell tickets rather than trying to make the team any better. (Why not sign Barry Bonds in that case?) The Mariners plan on sending Clement down to Triple-A to get him at-bats, which is the smartest decision for all involved. And if you're wondering why I spent the previous 150 words on Clement instead of Johjima, it's because the latter has no fantasy value whatsoever.

Red Sox Shortstop: Jed Lowrie over Julio Lugo
This competition ended last week after Lugo underwent surgery on his right knee. This is the good news for Red Sox management, who no longer have to pretend Lowrie isn't clearly the better hitter. It's also worth noting he's hitting a scorching .462 with only three strike-outs in 39 spring training at-bats. Grab him.

Rockies Second Baseman: Clint Barmes over Jeff Baker
This battle was supposedly "up for grabs", but that went out the window when Baker banged his elbow and didn't get an at-bat from February 26 through March 17. As such, Barmes got the job by default and Baker gets to play super-sub. Baker is the more intriguing prospect, but if you forget to draft a second baseman, Barmes will be there waiting for you on the waiver wire with his zero-gravity skewed stats, which still aren't anything to write home about.

White Sox Third Baseman: Josh Fields over Dayán Viciedo
The 20-year-old Cuban import was a long shot to make the team; the fact he was in the conversation in the first place was more indicative of Fields' disappointing showing last year. But after Fields' hot spring training—he's hitting .415 and slugging .732—the White Sox felt comfortable sending Viciedo down to marinate in Triple-A for a bit. Fields immediately becomes a sleeper candidate; remember, he hit 23 HRs back in 2007 in only 418 at-bats.

White Sox Second Baseman: Chris Getz over Jayson Nix, Gordon Beckham
Getz … wait for it … gets it! (I'll let myself out.) After Jayson Nix strained his quad last week, it was only a question of whether or not the White Sox were stupid enough to install Beckham as their starting second baseman. Make no mistake about it, Beckham is a future star—he proved he could hold his own this spring training, hitting .270 with a pair of home runs—but he has yet to see a pitch above Single-A. Getz, meanwhile, gives fantasy owners a late-round second baseman who's going to put up Akinori Iwamura-type numbers.

Yankees Right Fielder: Xavier Nady over Nick Swisher
Whether or not it's the right move is debatable, but those who were hoping for manager Joe Girardi to give them an excuse to spend money on Nick Swisher's no-doubt comeback year should still take solace: Swish is going to get his at-bats. He'll be used as a super-sub, not only backing up Nady but spelling elder gents Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon. This battle being decided changes nothing about either player's value: Nady will go too high and Swisher will go too low.

And Those Still In Thunderdome

Texas Catcher: Jarrod Saltalamacchia vs. Taylor Teagarden
Unless one gets traded—the Red Sox are reportedly looking for an ample backup for Jason Varitek—then you're most likely looking at a completely annoying straight-up platoon all year. If someone has a gun to your head, pick Salty for his endless supply of name jokes.

Rockies Closer: Huston Street vs. Manny Corpas
This is your classic coin-flip, with Rockies management not yet tipping their hands. Pay close attention.

Cubs Closer: Kevin Gregg vs. Carlos Marmol
Speaking of coin-flipping, that's just what Lou Pinella said he'd do if asked who has the edge here. That said, even if Gregg gets the job out of camp, it's going to be Marmol's duty soon enough. Go with the youngster.

Tigers Fifth Starter: Rick Porcello vs. Nate Robertson
After both Zach Miner and Dontrelle Willis spectacularly flamed out this spring, it looked like the 20-year-old phenom Porcello was in the driver's seat for the final rotation spot. But, as scripture says, you can't keep a man with funky glasses down. Robertson had pitched seven shutout innings before being taken out of Wednesday's game after hurting his thumb. X-rays were negative, so as long as he doesn't get carried away with overly exuberant thumbs up signs, expect the Tigers to send Porcello down for some tenderizing. The youngster's never thrown a pitch above Single-A, after all.

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Player On My Team of the Week: Yes, spring training means mostly nothing, but it's still nice seeing Lance Berkman knock out a pair of home runs while collecting 7 RBIs on Monday.

How to Heckle One of My Players of the Week: "Picking up right where you left off, David Wright? No, not slugging like an All Star. Leaving five men on base during Team USA's loss to Japan. For shame."

The 10-Minute Long YouTube Horror Parody You Must Watch of the Week: "The Horribly Slow Murderer with the Extremely Inefficient Weapon". You're welcome.

Buy High: A tagline featuring "Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk", after Variety reported Sean Penn and Jim Carrey have both signed on to star as Larry and Curly, respectively, in the upcoming Farrelly brothers Three Stooges movie. Currently tagged to play Moe? Benicio Del Toro. There are dream casts, and there are dream casts.

Sell Low: Sacha Baron Cohen ever making another "hidden camera" movie after The Smoking Gun released details on how he was able to trick people into agreeing to be in his upcoming Bruno movie. Of course, people should've been on their guard after Borat anyway.

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