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Spring Training Notebook #5

It's almost time for the bell to ring. Lots of roster action this week with more to come.

Let's begin with the Giants Brandon Belt. Belt is currently a non-roster player. With the injury to OF Cody Ross, most people are speculating that it opens a roster spot for Belt. I'm not so sure. Belt tailed off in the second half of spring training. The club may be very conservative with him and give him more seasoning in AAA. The team is loaded with movable parts in both the outfield and infield. I look for Travis Ishikawa to remain on the big league roster. He's out of options and he can cover first base if Aubrey Huff moves to Ross' spot in the OF. Or, the Giants can use Mark DeRosa at third or first with Sandoval moving to first. The list is endless. All that tells me is that Belt could be squeezed out by so many veteran players. Just beware and don't overpay for him.

When Brian Wilson goes on the DL, it could be closer by committee for the Giants. However, the best power arm in the pen belongs to Jose Casilla. I look for him to get most of the opportunities although Jeremy Affeldt and Sergio Romo could be in the mix. Be careful about the Giants closers scene.

Mitch Moreland continues to hit for the Rangers. Keep it to yourself, but he's a very good option at 1B.

Nelson Cruz is heating up.

Brandon Webb still can't throw off a mound without ramifications. It means the Rangers rotation will be heavily left-handed. Especially now that Feliz is back in his role as the closer. Wilson, Holland, Harrison, all lefties.

Michael Saunders is showing the pop in his bat that scouts saw when he was signed. The problem? He plays in Seattle.

The Mariners really love Brendan Ryan's glove. So much so that he'll be playing SS and Jack Wilson will move to 2B. It's not a bad move for the Mariners as it puts their best glove at the critical infield position. It also makes both players eligible at both positions in most leagues.

Miguel Olivo is still on the mend but he's supposed to be ready for opening day. That power we saw last season in Colorado is going to diminish in Seattle.

I wasn't surprised the Mariners sent 2B Dustin Ackley down. When they picked up Ryan the handwriting was on the wall. Ackley needs lots of time to learn his new position. he also needs to continue to improve his hitting mechanics but he's come a long way in that department.

Roy Halladay has a .048 ERA in spring training.

Melky Cabrera is having an outstanding spring. He's scored 16 runs, he's hitting .500, he has 22 hits and his on-base percentage is .510. Can he do it during the season? Has he ever done it before? Did the Yankees trade him? I'm just askin' here. Stranger improvements have happened.

David Huff will begin the season in AAA Columbus for Cleveland.

Look for Kila Ka'aihue to get most of the playing time at 1B for the Royals. He;s a much better defender than Billy Butler and Kila has really improved as a hitter. He's a good 1B target for you in all draft formats. Eric Hosmer will continue to learn his craft at AAA Omaha.

Jarrod Dyson is still in the mix as a reserve OF for the Royals.

Other than the final spot in their rotation, I really can't find any holes with the Rockies roster. Everyone plays hard, plays the game correctly and has some skill. My point? Draft with confidence. It's still Coors.

Wily Mo Pena hit the cover off the ball for the Diamondbacks this spring. That landed him in AAA. Lonnie Chisenhall hit .500 for the Indians. That landed him in AAA. Guys with options remaining or big money contracts usually remain with the big club. Spring invitees have a tough time making the club. Remember my theory with big league clubs. Follow the money. Unless you're the Mets and you can cut Ollie Perez and Luis Castillo. But the fans would have gone nuts had the team kept those two. That would have resulted in way fewer ticket sales.

Andrew Cashner is going to make the Cubs rotation. Probably at the expense of Carlos Silva. OK do the Cubs have enough in their cash register to flat out cut Silva? Don't forget the Mariners are chewing and swallowing hard on some of that contract.

Brandon Wood is still alive in Angels camp. He's hit a few homers and looks to be an option at 1B, 3B and off the bench. Mark Trumbo will get most of the at-bats while Kendrys Morales is on the shelf. I'm still pulling for Wood. He needs to play and be left alone to show what he can do over time.

Have you been to those make your own Yogurt sundae stores? I love em. I get mostly toppings with a little bit of yogurt. OK, a very little bit of yogurt. I think they should call them Toppings stores. Good stuff.

The Reds and the Rockies are the best and most balanced teams I've seen in spring training. Followed by the Giants. The worst? The usual suspects like Seattle and Cleveland.

Oakland's pitching is sorting itself out--Brandon McCarthy should get the 5th starter's job in Oakland. How far has Trevor Cahill come? He's the opening day starter. I'm still not totally sold he can do it over an entire season. Michael Wuertz is having an awful spring. Gio Gonzalez is my main man on that squad. Actually, he's one of my main targets all draft week. I've lost out to higher bids every time. I was afraid of that.

The Reds are loaded behind the plate with prospects like Devin Mesoraco and Chris Denove. I love to watch Mesoraco hit. He has big time power and he isn't afraid to take his cuts. He's improving behind the plate

The Brewers picked up RHP Sergio Mitre today from the Yankees. Chris Dickerson is a good CF, but the Brewers needed a starting pitcher with Shaq Greinke on the shelf. Good deal for both clubs. Shaun Marcum is said to be improving. I'm very cautious any time a pitcher misses a start or two.

Chase Utley? Don't count on him returning anytime soon. But really-Luis Castillo for the time being? Not for me.

Jack Hannahan, a journeyman infielder and OF Travis Buck will probably get big league contracts from Cleveland. If they do, that will mean someone will have to come off the 40 man. The team is currently at 39. Watch those rosters carefully because teams could drop one of your keeper players totally off the 40 man.

Reds OF Dave Sappelt has really impressed me this spring. He must be impressing the Reds as well as he's still in camp. So is Jeremy Hermida another non-roster player who is more in the mix of things for a spot on the big club than Sappelt.

Have I mentioned Mark DeRosa? Right, I said he could play some at 3B or 1B. How about second and the outfield as well. He looks great. Fit and raring to go after having battled injuries last season. I think he'll play 5 games a week and he'll hit well. Not great, but enough to pick up at the end of your draft. Especially NL only.

I've never been a fan of former basketball player Will Venable. He just never put his hitting mechanics together. This spring is the best I've seen him at the plate. He is more patient, has cut down on his swing and he's hitting the ball with authority. I don't trust him, but if there are few options left, Venable has big time power.

Don & Charlie's for me tonight. It's the baseball dinner hangout in the Valley. I usually empty my wallet for them at least once a spring. As a frame of reference for our Chicago friends, It's the same family from Carson's Ribs in Chicago. Good ribs and fair cole slaw for a very inflated price. There certainly are better places to eat in the Valley, but not with the same tradition. A plate of ribs, some slaw and then some toppings with a little yogurt at a nearby store after dinner. I ask you, my friends, what can be better?

We'll wrap up spring training next week with my final blog before the season. Good luck on your drafts. Remember-make it fun! You work all week!