- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Definite | Likely | Possible | Long Shot | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting Pitchers | Rube Waddell Eustaquio Pedroso | Ramon Martinez Tommy Bridges | Jose Mendez Camilo Pascual Don Newcombe Dontrelle Willis | |
Middle Relievers | Alex Colome Ed Bauta Sandy Consuegra | Ryota Igarashi | ||
Setup | Dalier Hinojosa Bill Landrum | |||
Closer | Aroldis Chapman | |||
C | Charlie Bennett John Munyan Alan Ashby | |||
1B | Joe Adcock Yonder Alonso | Edwin Encarnacion | ||
2B | Cookie Rojas | Martin Dihigo | Tito Fuentes | |
3B | Willie Kamm | Manny Machado Gary Sheffield | ||
SS | Robin Yount | Chico Fernandez | ||
OF | Jose Canseco | Jose Cardenal | Tony Gonzalez Tommie Agee Yasiel Puig Sandy Amoros Alejandro Oms | Ryan Braun Eddie Milner |