Every spring training brings significant position battles that could prove to be the difference for teams during the regular season. The competition often brings out the best in players and gives teams an idea what even the guys who lose the competitions in the spring can contribute during the season.
Here are 26 important position battles early in spring training.
The Diamondbacks allowed Fernando Rodney to leave in free agency, so they'll have a new closer in 2018. Archie Bradley did great work as the setup man last year and looks like the front-runner for the job. However, the team also brought in Yoshihisa Hirano from Japan, as well as former Rays closer Brad Boxberger to compete.
Atlanta doesn't have a great option in left field, and the winner of the job will just be keeping the seat warm for future star Ronald Acuna. If Acuna doesn't win the job in spring training, Lane Adams and Preston Tucker look like the best candidates on the roster right now.
Welington Castillo left in free agency, opening a big void at catcher for the O's. Top prospect Chance Sisco could be ready for the job, but Caleb Joseph has plenty of experience. Former Giants top prospect Andrew Susac is also a possibility, but he had a staph infection early in spring training which may limit his chances at winning the gig.
The right field job looked like 2016 draft pick Austin Hays' to lose all offseason, but the team surprisingly added Colby Rasmus as spring training began. With Rasmus' extensive experience, it looks like Hays will have to earn the job this spring after hitting .329-32-95 between High-A and Double-A last season.
The Orioles brought back Chris Tillman, hoping he can rebound, and signed Andrew Cashner late in the offseason. With Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy solidified in the rotation, that still leaves one spot open. The competition is wide open with candidates like Gabriel Ynoa, Miguel Castro, Mike Wright and Jose Mesa Jr.
The White Sox thought Charlie Tilson would be their center fielder last season until he got hurt, and the spot was a problem for the rest of the season. Not much has changed this year, with Tilson battling Adam Engel and Leury Garcia for the job.
The White Sox ended last season with Juan Minaya as their closer, but there are additional options this year in spring training. Joakim Soria has 204 career saves, while Nate Jones has elite stuff when he's healthy.
The fifth starter spot in Cleveland could solve itself if Danny Salazar isn't ready for the start of the year due to a shoulder injury, but for now Josh Tomlin and Mike Clevinger are battling it out. Clevinger was terrific last season, going 12-6 with a 3.11 ERA in 121.2 innings, while Tomlin had a 4.98 ERA in 26 starts.
The Reds had the worst rotation in the NL last season, but they're hoping for rapid improvement this year. Luis Castillo, Homer Bailey and Anthony DeSclafani are guaranteed spots if they're healthy, but then the arms get intriguing. Brandon Finnegan is also likely to get a spot when he's healthy, but behind him are arms like Tyler Mahle, Robert Stephenson and Amir Garrett. The rotation has a chance to be much improved this year.
Detroit brought in veteran Leonys Martin to be the likely center fielder and leadoff man, but he will still be challenged by some of the team's younger players. JaCoby Jones showed flashes early last season, while Victor Reyes is a prospect with speed.
The rebuilding Royals surprised many by bringing back Alcides Escobar given Adalberto Mondesi's presence. Mondesi has been an elite defensive prospect for years, but his bat also showed up at Triple-A Omaha last season, hitting .305-13-52 in 85 games. Meanwhile, Escobar was terrible for the Royals last season, posting a .629 OPS.
The Angels had a merry-go-round at closer last season. Bud Norris spent most of the time in the role, but he's now in St. Louis. Blake Parker looked good in his limited opportunities, while Jim Johnson and Cam Bedrosian also have experience.
Yasmani Grandal has been L.A.'s starting catcher for much of the last three seasons, but Austin Barnes emerged during the playoffs last year. The Dodgers say the duo will split time behind the plate, but it's possible that Barnes will get the upper hand after posting an .895 OPS during the regular season in 2017.
The Marlins' lineup is a mess. One of their more interesting competitions is shortstop, where Miguel Rojas will battle young JT Riddle for the starting job.
The starting catcher job is wide open in Milwaukee between Manny Pina, Stephen Vogt and Jett Bandy. Vogt has already suffered a setback with a shoulder injury, and Bandy is out of minor league options.
Dominic Smith was a hyped prospect but struggled in his first taste of the majors late last season. The Mets brought in Adrian Gonzalez to challenge him, but Gonzalez had just a .642 OPS for the Dodgers last season due to back problems. The team hopes both can perform well this spring.
Gleyber Torres is considered the future at second base, but the team will exercise patience with its top prospect, who is coming off of Tommy John surgery. If the Yanks give him more minor league seasoning, Tyler Wade and veteran Danny Espinosa are the most likely candidates for the job.
Oakland lacks reliable starters after trading Sonny Gray last season, but the A's don't lack options. The top four will likely be Kendall Graveman, Sean Manaea, Jharel Cotton and Daniel Mengden, but behind them Paul Blackburn, Andrew Triggs and Daniel Gossett all have a shot.
Jorge Alfaro is considered Philadelphia's catcher of the future, but winning the starting job this spring isn't a foregone conclusion. He struggled offensively at Triple-A before getting promoted to the majors. Cameron Rupp has plenty of experience, and Andrew Knapp was a decent prospect in his own right.
Pittsburgh has a new-look rotation without former ace Gerrit Cole, but the top four still looks almost set in stone with Jameson Taillon, Ivan Nova, Joe Musgrove and Chad Kuhl. Behind them there is a competition between Trevor Williams, Steven Brault, Nick Kingham and top prospect Tyler Glasnow.
The Padres acquired Chase Headley from the Yankees in the offseason, but it remains to be seen if he's really in their plans. Cory Spangenberg got his fair share of work at third base last season, and Jose Pirela could also be an option after Wil Myers was shifted to the outfield due to the Eric Hosmer signing.
San Diego's top four of Clayton Richard, Dinelson Lamet, Bryan Mitchell and Luis Perdomo are likely locked in to rotation spots, but there are several interesting players vying for the final spot. Robbie Erlin, Colin Rea and Matt Strahm are all coming back from injuries and have had their fair share of minor league success.
The Giants are comfortable with their big three of Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, but their rotation gets interesting after that. Matt Cain retired after last season, and Matt Moore was traded to Texas. Chris Stratton likely did enough last season to earn a rotation spot, but the fifth spot is a battle between Ty Blach, Tyler Beede and a few other names with less experience.
The Cardinals lost Trevor Rosenthal to Tommy John surgery late last season and didn't bring back Seung Hwan Oh, leaving the closer spot wide open. They signed Luke Gregerson and Bud Norris, who both have closing experience, but neither is a great bet for a team that wants to return to the playoffs. Alex Reyes is also a possibility when he returns from elbow surgery after a few weeks.
Alex Claudio finished last season as the Rangers' closer, but he hasn't been handed the job this season. Keone Kela and Matt Bush are possibilities, while the Rangers also now have Tim Lincecum as an option as well.
The fifth starter spot looks like A.J. Cole's to lose. The former top prospect really struggled at Triple-A last season but posted a 3.81 ERA in 52 innings with the Nats. Erick Fedde, the 18th overall pick in the 2014 draft, is his biggest competition.
Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.
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