MLB spring training position battles for 2016

The Diamondbacks added Jean Segura via trade late in the offseason, creating a battle at second base between defensive whiz Nick Ahmed and offensive-minded middle infielder Chris Owings. Owings could have the edge if he can put his nagging shoulder issues behind him, which caused him to hit only .227 last season.

The Orioles let Wei-Yin Chen walk in free agency and have stated that they're likely to fill their fifth starter role from players already in the organization. That creates an unexciting battle between veterans Vance Worley and Odrisamer Despaigne, and young starters Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson.

Baltimore is very hopeful international acquisition Hyun-soo Kim can run with the left field job, but it has several alternatives if that doesn't happen. They include Cubans Dariel Alvarez and Henry Urrutia, as well as veteran Nolan Reimold.

Boston definitely has some talented competition for its fifth starter role, including hotshot prospect Henry Owens, Joe Kelly and Brian Johnson. The good news is that means the staff has no shortage of depth this season.

After trading Aroldis Chapman, the Reds are looking for a new closer. Their best internal options are veterans J.J. Hoover and Jumbo Diaz. Hoover has struggled in limited duty as a Major League closer, while Diaz has plenty of experience in the role as a minor leaguer.

If the Reds don't add another outfielder, the winner of their left field job is anyone's guess. They have several young candidates for the job, including Scott Schebler, Yorman Rodriguez, Jake Cave, Kyle Waldrop and top prospect Jesse Winker.

The starting rotation is the strength of the Indians, and they have an intriguing fifth starter competition going into spring training between Josh Tomlin and Cody Anderson. Both pitchers get by on their great control, and Anderson could be the front-runner because of his youth.

Detroit planned to give Cameron Maybin and Anthony Gose semi-regular playing time, but the Tigers had a change of plans after signing Justin Upton. Maybin and Gose will now battle for at-bats in spring training.

Houston signed Doug Fister late in the offseason, seriously complicating its fifth starter situation. The Astros are likely to employ two of Fister, Mike Fiers and Scott Feldman for their last two rotations spots.

This could be one of the most exciting spring training battles in baseball with elite prospect A.J. Reed waiting in the wings. Jon Singleton was an excellent prospect once upon a time in his own right, and it seems to be his job to lose.

Adding Ian Kennedy helps Kansas City's rotation after losing Johnny Cueto in free agency, but it also creates a difficult decision for fifth starter. Chris Young will battle Danny Duffy and Kris Medlen for the final spot in the rotation.

Kansas City apparently couldn't afford to replace Alex Rios and likely figured it's fine with internal candidates given how little Rios produced last season. K.C.'s top candidates for the job are speedy Jarrod Dyson and Paulo Orlando.

After giving up on Josh Hamilton last season, the Angels head in to spring training with a platoon in left field between Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry. It's still difficult to envision the Angels not bringing in someone else considering how much money ownership has been willing to spend in the past.

No team enters spring training with more depth than the Dodgers. They have quite a dilemma on their hands if Hyun-Jin Ryu returns healthy from a shoulder injury, creating six capable starters after adding Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda this offseason. Alex Wood could be the odd man out.

A.J. Ramos did a nice job replacing Steve Cishek as Miami's closer last season, but the organization sees blue chip ability from Carter Capps. He's struggled to stay healthy but had more than 16 strikeouts per nine innings last season.

Milwaukee has too many corner outfielders and a hole in center field. The candidates are Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Rymer Liriano and Keon Broxton, while top prospect Brett Phillips is waiting in the wings.

Milwaukee is dumping for 2016, moving Francisco Rodriguez in the offseason. The best candidate to replace him at closer is lefty Will Smith, but his handedness could cause the team to use Jeremy Jeffress or Corey Knebel instead.

The Twins have a wealth of starting pitcher depth with Ricky Nolasco returning from injury. Tommy Milone is likely to battle Trevor May and top prospect Jose Berrios for the fifth starter job.

The Yankees head in to the season with strong pitching depth. CC Sabathia is easily their worst starter but will likely keep his rotation spot because of his salary while Nathan Eovaldi and Ivan Nova battle for the final spot in the rotation.

The Yankees have a three-headed monster on the back end of their rotation with new acquisition Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances. Chapman seems likely to pick up the bulk of the saves, but all three are more than capable.

Oakland has multiple injury questions in its rotation, including Henderson Alvarez's pending return from a shoulder problem as early as May. Names like Chris Bassitt, Aaron Brooks, Jarrod Parker and Sean Nolin will be in play for the fifth starter job.

The rebuilding Phillies have a wide open closer situation. They added veterans with closing experience like David Hernandez and Edward Mujica, who stand as the leading candidates for the job.

San Diego's effort to compete last year didn't go as hoped, and now the Padres are in rebuilding mode. The fifth starter job will be a heated battle between Robbie Erlin, Brandon Maurer, Colin Rea and Carlos Villanueva.

The Padres added veteran closer Fernando Rodney to an incentive-laden deal late in the offseason, and he enters the season as their likely closer. Kevin Quackenbush and Drew Pomeranz also have experience in the role.

The Cardinals brought back Brandon Moss, who will compete for at-bats with Matt Adams at first base. Adams had a disappointing 2015 season due to injury but was a top prospect at one time.

The Rays lack a clear starting catcher but enter spring training with Curt Casali, Hank Conger and Rene Rivera. Conger's power is the most intriguing, but he's struggled defensively recently.

The Rangers have several candidates for the fifth starter job while they wait for Yu Darvish to return from Tommy John surgery in May. Chi Chi Gonzalez and Nick Martinez are their top candidates.

Toronto complicated its closer situation by adding Drew Storen via trade in the offseason. Roberto Osuna did a great job as the team's closer last season, but Storen has even more experience.

The Blue Jays have some very exciting fifth starter candidates, including Drew Hutchison, Aaron Sanchez and new addition Gavin Floyd.

The Nats added Stephen Drew in the offseason and figure to give Danny Espinosa a long look at shortstop in spring training. No matter what happens, Trea Turner is considered the team's shortstop of the future and could win the job in spring training.