Jonathan Herrera

Herrera, who was acquired by Boston from Colorado in the offseason leading up to the 2014, broke camp with the Red Sox as the team's utility infielder. With his ability to switch-hit, he offered a left-handed complement at three positions: for Will Middlebrooks at third, Xander Bogaerts at short and Dustin Pedroia at second. He got a smattering of playing time, but eventually was pushed aside by the legend of Brock Holt, whose emergence eventually forced Herrera down to Triple-A Pawtucket. He hit well for the PawSox, but his season ended early due to bone chips in his elbow. The Red Sox outrighted him off the 40-man roster and Herrera elected to become a free agent instead of joining Pawtucket's roster. He'll compete for a roster spot with the Cubs during spring training after signing a minor league deal in December.

Herrera filled his familiar infield super-sub role for the Rockies in 2013, seeing his biggest spike in playing time in June and July when Troy Tulowitzki was sidelined with a rib injury. Although he offered little production in terms of counting stats, Herrera proved to be tough out in his 215 plate appearances, slashing .292/.336/.364. The Rockies tendered Herrera a contract in the offseason, but with up-and-coming utility options in D.J. LeMahieu and Charlie Culberson also pushing for roster spots, he was traded to the Red Sox in December. His value to a major league club is almost solely tied to his dependable glovework, making him mostly an afterthought in the fantasy game.

Herrera served primarily as a late-inning defensive replacement last season, but any sort of excitement about his multi-position eligibility was subdued by his limited home run and stolen base totals, especially considering both actually tied career-highs. At this stage in his career, Herrera's value is exclusively tied to his glove, which is not entirely a bad thing on a team with the worst pitching staff in baseball last season. Because of the below average defensive ability of Jordan Pacheco at third base and Chris Nelson at both spots on the left side of the infield, Herrera should contend for a utility spot to open the season, but will not see many at-bats unless injury strikes.

A switch-hitting middle-infielder, Herrera has limited upside due in large part of his lack of power and stolen bases between Triple-A and Colorado over the last two seasons. His versatility should help him stick on the roster when Opening Day rolls around, but Herrera has never slugged .400 at a minor league level or stolen 20 bases in a season before. With the Rockies' second-base spot in flux again at press time, he could force his way into the mix with a strong spring, but that skill set doesn't portend much value outside of deep NL-only leagues despite the fact that he'll carry shortstop eligibility in many leagues.

Troy Tulowitzki's wrist injury opened the door for Herrera to get playing time in 2010. With the help of a .330 BABIP, he posted a .284/.352/.342 batting line with 21 RBI and 34 runs in 222 at-bats. The rest of his time was spent in Triple-A Colorado Springs where he posted a .261/.340/.324 batting line with similar counting stats. Defensively, he can play at most spots, but middle infield is his primary home. Entering into his age 26 season, he offers little in the way of power or speed and will likely not see the field enough to warrant much fantasy consideration given the Rockies' depth up the middle.

Herrera, long ago lapped by Troy Tulowitzki, was non-tendered in the offseason then signed to a minor-league deal. He might be better suited to the utility role than Clint Barmes thanks to better speed, contact ability and defense. Cheap steals play in a very deep league.

A contact hitter with some pop and a lot of speed, Herrera spent 2007 at Double-A Tulsa. He struggled a little at the plate hitting .257/.315/.338 with 18 stolen bases in 30 attempts. He's only 22 and will likely start the season at Double-A again. At the major league level, Herrera is blocked by Troy Tulowitzki, so he maybe moved to second base with the Rockies looking at potential long-term solutions.

The 5-9 Herrera gets overshadowed in a system that includes, among others, Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart. In 2006, however, he made a bit of a name for himself with a solid season in the California League. Continuing that level of performance in Double-A could lead to a future as a utility man. His ability to play multiple positions helps his cause.