Spring Training roster thoughts
Catcher - No one jumps out at me from this crew. We'll see who has a good spring, and probably try to lean on defense.
Deniska Paseko - Had a really good year between AA and AAA for us last year, but probably the worst defensively of the group we have.
Zenawi Mungu - The best catcher defensively of the guys I'm considering, the only one of the group with major league experience. Patient hitter.
Juriaan Slootweg - Had a nice year as the backup in AAA last year. Decent defender. I think he should be ok in a platoon situation.
1B - We have a lot of bodies here, but not sure who can hold down the fort.
Orrel Muhin - Guy still has power, can draw some walks, but had a rough time last year. His defense is completely gone, so he should probably be our DH, but that leads us to
Aurelio Valencia - Another man without a position. Had a decent year at the plate last year, and is relatively cheap.
Benny Jones - Better defensively than the other 2, but has more value for us as a defender in LF. Has to get his average up, no matter where he plays on the field.
2B - We're locked in with Franco here and then we'll look to find a guy or 2 who can backup the 3 spots from the bunch of others
Luis Franco - Has had 2 really nice years in the minors at the plate. Is a good defender, but arm strength could be an issue. Good base runner. Probably starts the year in the 8th or 9th spot. Maybe we try him at SS.
Son Ha - Can play all the infield spots well defensively. Doesn't bring much to the plate offensively. Can he stick with the big team?
Ricardo Rodriguez - Our best leadoff hitting candidate. Can draw a walk and play the corner OF spots. I think maybe he gets the nod in LF with Jones at 1B.
Nasir Jalil - Okay defender. Can't hit enough for the big leagues. We;ve got better options than this guy for a backup infielder.
3B - We brought in a veteran to hold down the fort.
Hector Rivera - I like his potential as a patient hitter. I don't think he's fast enough to bat leadoff. Good D for a 3B.
Juan Jose Moran - Utility IF type. Has had some okay major league seasons, but really struggled lately.
Phil Scheele - Played well at AAA last year, but I'm not sure he's a major leaguer. Another utility infielder type.
SS - Just trying to keep the spot warm until I'm ready to call up
Luis Delgado
Luis Fernandez - Elite defender. Can't hit. The ultimate quandry. Probably sticks as a super utility more than some of these other schmucks.
Joe Kenney - I still like this guy, despite his struggles last year. He probably needs a year at AAA for seasoning tho.
LF - Jones seems like the obvious candidate here, with Rodriguez also an option. I really don't know any more.
Gavin Hodge - Brought him in to be a 4th OFer, but he might get the nod here. Definitely gives us some flexibility. If he gets enough ABs, he can probably be close to 25 HRs
Ron Unknown/ Selig - Good defender. No power. Bad eye. Defensive replacement at best
CF - We all know the story. If the Grim Reaper can stay healthy we're in good shape. That's not likely tho.
Jorge Martinez - .329 career hitter, prototypical 2 hitter for me. Has missed 300 games total over the last 3 years, so we need a caddy for him. Gotta keep him on the field.
Alonso Ruas - Defensive replacement type. If Martinez goes down, we're gonna need to find someone batter.
RF -
Andrey Volynov - Not great, but can hold his own. I'm okay with him getting 500 ABs for us.
Pedro Baca - Got way too many ABs for us last year. In way over his head. Shoot me now.
Mang Cao - Showed more than Baca last year. Probably sticks as a bat off the bench.
Teo Thibaut - Was terrible last year. Not sure how he makes the cut. Good baserunner.