The American League lineups, even with the additional hitter, seem more locked in and ready to go than those in the NL. Of course, that could change for both the AL Champion Texas Rangers should they actually trade Michael Young.
As of today the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, and Toronto Blue Jays seem to be settled on their hitters other than moving a few hitters up or down in the lineup. The other AL teams have the following question marks:
BOSTON RED SOX – Will shortstop Marco Scutaro be healthy and ready to start the season AND stay ahead of Jed Lowrie? There is a nagging question of whether catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Salty for short) is truly ready to be the number one catcher, but the Sawks have Jason Varitek to help and play more if necessary.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX – Third base seems to be the only true position battle depending on whether prospect Brent Morel can clearly win the job from Mark Teahen and Dayan Viciedo. As of today it seems like Morel will be the starter on opening day.
CLEVELAND INDIANS – With Orlando Cabrera signed to play either second base (or shortstop if they shift Asdrubal Cabrera to second) the unsettled position seems to also be third base. Jayson Nix and Luis Valbuena seem poised to battle for this unless the Indians give middle infielder Jason Donald a chance. Later in the season I would expect either Jason Kipnis or Lonnie Chisenhall to be playing third over the opening day starter.
DETROIT TIGERS – Assuming Miguel Cabrera is ready to go on opening day; the lineup appears to be pretty well set. If the Tigers sit catcher Alex Avila against LHP which they clearly should do, then Victor Martinez would catch those games and there would be some additional at bats at designated hitter, perhaps some days off the field for Magglio Ordonez and a chance for one of the younger outfielders to be in the lineup.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS – Will any of the talented young Royals move up from the minors on opening day? Two have a good chance. The first would be CF Lorenzo Cain obtained in the Zach Greinke trade. If Cain is not ready to play every day in Kansas City, veteran Melky Cabrera will be in center. The other, perhaps slightly less likely would be third baseman Mike Moustakas. If Moustakas starts at AAA then plans would be for Mike Aviles to start the season at third with Chris Getz at second. Moustakas on the opening day roster means a decision on those two would have to be made at second base. Veteran catcher Jason Kendall could well surprise but is likely not to be ready to play until May at the earliest which would have Brayan Pena or Lucas May catching.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS of ANAHEIM – The Angels really appear to be set everywhere except third base and even that is a choice or platoon of hitter on the club last year – likely Maicer Izturis or Brandon Wood. There are also some questions about how many at bats each of the catchers will get. Jeff Mathis is the best defensive catcher, certainly endearing him to manager Mike Scioscia a former catcher himself. But Mathis struggles at the plate and that will certainly give Bobby Wilson some at bats or finally open the door for highly touted prospect Hank Conger, a good switch hitter who while not as good defensively is not bad and rates to be the Halos catcher of the future.
MINNESOTA TWINS – No position battles for the Twins, but first baseman Justin Morneau missing any time at the beginning of the season would force some temporary reassignments in RF and DH.
SEATTLE MARINERS – Things would appear to be set with the Mariners’ lineup aw ell Unless highly touted prospect Dustin Ackley forces his way into the lineup at second base before opening day. Otherwise Brendan Ryan should be holding down the spot until Ackley is recalled from AAA.
TEXAS RANGERS – Is Michael Young still a Ranger? Is so he will DH against RHP and play some second when Ian Kinsler is out of the lineup and give both shortstop Elvis Andrus and third baseman Adrian Beltre a day off here and there, perhaps playing some first base as well. If Young is traded it may weaken the Rangers clubhouse and depth but a platoon of Mike Napoli and David Murphy at DH would be very effective.
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