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DownloadCATCHER: James McCann returns as the regular with last season's surprise John Hicks returning as backup.
INFIELD: Balky back permitting, Miguel Cabrera mans first with Ian Kinsler, Jose Iglesias and Jeimer Candelario comprising the rest of the infield.
OUTFIELD: With Candelario taking over at the hot corner, Nicholas Castellanos will now chase flies in right field. The rest is a work in progress, with Mikie Mahtook a good bet to see considerable playing time since the Tigers aren't yet ready to compete. JaCoby Jones is still in the mix but has yet to establish he can play regularly. Not having the pitching to compete, don't expect an impact bat to be brought in, though a veteran signing or two wouldn't be out of the question.
DESIGNATED HITTER: In September, Victor Martinez had surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat and is supposed to be ready for spring training.
BENCH: Dixon Machado is the reserve infielder. Outfield is in flux, with reserves depending on how the club treats free agency. From a fantasy perspective, there's nothing to see here.
ROTATION: Blech, which is the proper industry term. Michael Fulmer has front of the rotation potential, but is still raw and needs to display durability. Matthew Boyd, Jordan Zimmermann, Buck Farmer and Daniel Norris round out the staff. There's talk Zimmermann could be dealt.
BULLPEN: Shane Greene exhibited the ability to close, though the opportunities could be sparse. Though, Joe Jimenez looms as the closer of the future. The rest isn't worth considering.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: The Tigers replenished their system, though there aren't many close to contributing. Someone to monitor is slugger Christin Stewart, whose power should play, the question is whether he'll hit enough otherwise to warrant a spot, since his glove isn't special.
POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS: The Tigers are likely to bring in a few major league bats, I just don't see them as being fantasy-worthy, except for deep leagues. They also could be in the market for a veteran arm to fill the Anibal Sanchez role.
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CATCHER: While the club could return to Tony Wolters as the lead receiver and hope Tom Murphy can handle backup duties, there's rumors they want to bring free agent Jonathan Lucroy back.
INFIELD: Second, third and short are settled with DJ LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. Some drafting with overblown expectations expect Brendan Rodgers to debut, but I'm not buying it. Ian Desmond was originally signed to play first, there's a good chance he'll land there in 2018.
OUTFIELD: Charlie Blackmon is obviously a lock. A healthy David Dahl would snag a corner spot, leaving Gerardo Parra, Raimel Tapia or Desmond to replace the departed Carlos Gonzalez.
BENCH: Alexi Amarista saw some starting time last season and returns to back up the middle positions. Ryan McMahon has a chance to win the job at first base outright, but chances are he'll back up the corners. Parra is best served as a 4th outfielder, he'll probably fall back into that role with Tapia also seeing some reserve time.
ROTATION: With a bevy of starters, the Rox are a prime candidate to join the clubs limiting the number of innings per start so each hurler only goes through the order twice. Jon Gray, German Marquez, Tyler Anderson, Kyle Freeland, Chad Bettis, Antonio Senzatela and Jeff Hoffman are all options to start.
BULLPEN: As of this writing, Greg Holland has yet to accept his qualifying offer, with the expectation he declines it. He may opt to stay with Colorado, but he's looking for a mult-year contract. Adam Ottavino has had some success closing, but Colorado seems to prefer him in a set-up role. Chris Rusin has made the transition to the bullpen nicely.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: While Rodgers isn't likely to play in the major this season, at some point, the Rockies will have to make a decision as the young shortstop is one of the best prospects in the game. Other than McMahon, no one is really close.
POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS: Expect one bat to be brought in, either to play first base or corner outfield, with Desmond swinging to the other spot. if Dahl isn't healthy, a second bat could be signed. Something will be done in the bullpen, either a closer or a few set-up arms with Ottavino reclaiming his old job.
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CATCHER: It says something about Yan Gomes that the Tribe asked Francisco Mejia to play third base in the Arizona Fall League. Roberto Perez returns as the backup.
INFIELD: There's a gaping hole at first base with Carlos Santana a free agent. Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez comprise one of the best infields in the league. Yandy Diaz and Giovanny Urshela are reserves, with Ramirez helping out with his versatility.
OUTFIELD: If healthy, Michael Brantley spearheads an all lefty-swinging group, joined by Bradley Zimmer and Lonnie Chisenhall. This makes right-handed Brandon Guyer a strong reserve. Abraham Almonte and Tyler Naquin both have starting experience.
DESIGNATED HITTER: After a slow start, Edwin Encarnacion got it in gear. Look for him to be hitting from the get-go.
BENCH: Depth isn't an issue with Diaz, Urshela, Almonte and Naquin..
ROTATION: A strength of the squad, Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, Danny Salazar Salazar and Mike Tomlin are all under contract and expected to be back. The wild-card is Mike Clevinger who deserves to start, with Salazar and Tomlin the most likely to be moved to the bullpen. Ryan Merritt looms as well.
BULLPEN: Cody Allen and Andrew Miller make a great one-two punch. However, Brian Shaw is gone and he was a vital cog. Look for Nick Goody to step into that role and be a nice cheap set up arm for deeper formats.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Mejia held his own in the AFL, opening the possibility Kipnis moves to the outfield and Ramirez to second. Though, most feel Mejia is still earmarked for receiver down the line. Bobby Bradley is interesting at first base. How the club replaces Santana could be a tell when they feel Bradley will be ready.
POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS: As alluded to, first base is the biggest need. Everything else will be minor.
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CATCHER: I don't trust Devin Mesoraco to stay healthy (nice call, Lord Obvious) so I like Tucker Barnhart has a cheap end-game backstop.
INFIELD: The corners are set with Joey Votto and Eugenio Suarez. Jose Peraza should start at shortstop with Scooter Gennett at second. The wild card is Nick Senzel, who is on the fast track, along with Dilson Herrera. One way to clear a spot for Senzel is dealing Gennett, moving Suarez back to shortstop and Peraza to second. This likely won't happen right away, but the buzz is Senzel will make his debut in 2018.
OUTFIELD: There's rumblings the Reds could move Billy Hamilton, but that's just speculation so figure Hamilton to patrol center with Adam Duvall his left flank. Right field is the question with Jesse Winker an intriguing option to win the job from the outset, leaving Scott Schebler on the outside looking in. This isn't definite, but paying full price for Schebler in early drafts is risky.
BENCH: Herrera is a good bet to be the utility infielder. Look for a fifth outfielder to be brought in, perhaps someone better if Schebler is moved.
ROTATION: Rookie sensation Luis Castillo will have a spot. Past that, there's a bunch of arms, but not many assured to be healthy. Despite registering horrible numbers for the last three seasons, Home Bailey is likely slated to start. Tyler Mahle and Robert Stephenson showed some promise down the stretch with Brandon Finnegan and Anthony DeSclafani returning from injury. Cody Reed, Amir Garrett and Sal Romano all have some prospect pedigree with a chance to figure it out.
BULLPEN: Raisel Iglesias demonstrated he can be a big league closer and could be moved. Michael Lorenzen was pretty good in setup. Like the starters, there's a lot of arms, just nothing to be excited about from a fantasy sense.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Senzel has already been mentioned and looks to be a can't-miss prospect at the hot corner. Winker and Mahle make debuts last season and could contribute this season.
POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS: There's a chance the club opts to bring in a veteran starter despite having a bunch in-house. They could also bring in some bullpen help, especially if Iglesias is moved.
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CATCHER: Omar Narvaez and Kevan Smith will split time, though it's unclear who'll play more. There's a chance Zack Collins debuts after some seasoning at Triple-A.
INFIELD: Three-quarters is set with the underrated Jose Abreu the veteran presence for Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson. At least for now, Moncada is ticketed for the keystone, leaving the hot corner for Matt Davidson or Yolmer Sanchez. There's a chance the Pale Hose bring in a veteran to challenge for the job, but they're not quite ready to compete.
OUTFIELD: Charlie Tilson looks spry in the Arizona Fall League, giving him the leg up for center field. Avisail Garcia will grab a corner. Nicky Delmonico's second half earned him a spring look, competing with Leury Garcia and Willy Garcia.
DESIGNATED HITTER: There's no one earmarked for regular DH at bats, with a mix of the above likely rotating through.
BENCH: Tyler Saladino will be joined by those previously mentioned not securing a regular job.
ROTATION: Down the road, the White Sox are shaping up to sport a fine rotation, but currently, they're still raw. Lucas Giolito has the makings of an ace with the oft-injured Carlos Rodon expected back sometime after opening day. Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer are still maturing with veteran James Shields still hanging around. There's a chance another veteran is brought in until Rodon is ready, with Dylan Covey a possibility.
BULLPEN: The club dealt anyone healthy with a pulse last season, leaving Juan Minaya as the closer by default. Nate Jones could challenge Minaya if he proves healthy in the spring. The rest isn't worth considering.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: There's some buzz top pitching prospect Michael Kopech may make his debut in 2018, but I just don't see the need. Similarly, some expect outfielder Eloy Jimenez, acquired from the Cubs in the Jose Quintana deal to see time next summer. Again, I don't see the point. The chance Zack Collins joins the catching ranks was already discussed.
POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS: Honestly, who knows? There's openings and needs, but why spend money when the window to win doesn't open until at least 2019.
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