• The final 2 rotation slots are likely to be pulled from Don Newcombe, Ramon Martinez, and Livan Hernandez, but both Jose Mendez and Eustaquio Pedroso have outside shots as well.
    • Rube Waddell has been excellent, but neither Camilo Pascual nor Tommy Bridges as good as expected. As such, there are a lot of open slots. Pedroso has seized 1 of them with some great performances, and Mendez has an edge on the other, while Hernandez has been pretty awful.
      • Hernandez has pitched himself back to AAA, while the front of the rotation has solidifed as Waddell, Pedroso, Martinez, and Bridges.
      • That leaves Willis, Pascual, Newcombe, and Mendez competing for the final rotation spot.
  • In the bullpen, while Aroldis Chapman and Bill Landrum are solid, and Tony Fossas can succeed in a situational role, doubts exist about Dalier Hinojosa and Ed Bauta especially.
    • Unfortunately, Fossas, Bauta, and Sandy Consuegra have had a rough go of it. Miami has recalled Ryota Igarashi, Dontrelle Willis, and Alex Colome to help find some bullpen solutions to get to Chapman and Landrum.
      • Both Bauta and Hinjosa have solidified their roster spots, if not their exact roles, while Fossas has moved to AAA. Igarashi could join him, but deserves another couple of appearances.
  • 2B, 3B, and SS are all up for grabs: Cookie Rojas and Paul Molitor are neck-and-neck at 2B; Evan Longoria, Manny Machado, and Gary Sheffield at 3B; and Robin Yount and Chico Fernandez at SS.
    • Molitor is on the verge of playing himself out of the league behind Rojas (which would clearly open a role for Dihigo, but he hasn’t hit a lick either). But he’s doing better than Longoria, who is literally hitless so far, at the bottom of a muddled pile at 3B, led by the surprising Willie Kamm.
      • Molitor and Longoria were both sent to AAA to work it out, with Tito Fuentes getting a shot in major league camp.
    • Yount has taken control at SS, so there’s that, at least.
  • In the OF, the talents of Alejandro Oms and Martin Dihigo are undeniable, but there are questions about whether they are ready for the WBL.
    • The OF is still crowded, with Jose Cardenal, Ryan Braun, and Eddie Milner all arguing for playing time and Ozzie Canseco being sent to AAA.
      • Oms and Dihigo don’t have to hit much to earn a roster spot due to their versatility and glovework. Milner and Braun, however, are on the bubble.
      • Tony Gonzalez has forced himself into the conversation, and perhaps even into a starting role.
  • C is now an issue as well, as both John Munyan and Alan Ashby are performing on par with expected starter Charlie Bennett.
    • The trio continues to be indistinguishable–if that continues, Bennett will start due to his defense, and a coin flip will pick his backup.
    • At 1B, Joe Adcock and Yonder Alonso are pounding the ball, leaving Edwin Encarnacion‘s roster spot in doubt.
Near DefiniteLikelyPossibleLong Shot
Starting PitchersRube Waddell
Eustaquio Pedroso
Ramon Martinez
Tommy Bridges
Jose Mendez
Camilo Pascual
Don Newcombe
Dontrelle Willis
Middle RelieversAlex Colome
Ed Bauta
Sandy Consuegra
Ryota Igarashi
SetupDalier Hinojosa
Bill Landrum
CloserAroldis Chapman
CCharlie Bennett
John Munyan
Alan Ashby
1BJoe Adcock
Yonder Alonso
Edwin Encarnacion
2BCookie RojasMartin DihigoTito Fuentes
3BWillie KammManny Machado
Gary Sheffield
SSRobin YountChico Fernandez
OFJose CansecoJose CardenalTony Gonzalez
Tommie Agee
Yasiel Puig
Sandy Amoros
Alejandro Oms
Ryan Braun
Eddie Milner