The countdown is over. Spring camps are open and buzzing in both Arizona and Florida. Here are some things I'll be watching.
Where does Neftali Feliz end up, starting or closing? With a lengthy list of starting pitchers, it seems strange that once again the Rangers want to give Feliz a shot at the rotation. If Feliz impresses, who closes? At this point it could be Alexi Ogando. He's also being stretched out as a starter. Mark Lowe is a very capable pitcher with closer potential. Still, Feliz in the rotation may cause more questions than answers. I still love the Rangers pitching. A couple names to remember for keeper leagues include righty Omar Beltre and lefty Michael Kirkman. Both have outstanding potential and they should be heard from. Of course lefty Martin Perez represents the future. I'll be highlighting him in one of my upcoming regular weekly Rotowire columns. He's not quite ready, but he can pitch. I still like Feliz as the closer. Fewer issues. Fewer problems. But don't forget Ogando on draft day. If he doesn't start or close, he will set-up. And it's true that C. J. Wilson came out of the pen to be a very high quality starter. Never doubt Nolan Ryan when it comes to pitching.
What is Aroldis Chapman's role with the Reds? With Francisco Cordero set to close again, does Chapman start? Does he set-up for Cordero? Regardless the answer, it upsets me when I think he's working for none other than Dusty Baker. I have to admit the prospect of Chapman being managed by Baker brings chills to my spine. I think Chapman is going to be an elite closer-in 2012 when Cordero's contract is up with Cincinnati. Until then? Who knows. He probably sets-up because they have so many starting pitchers. Unless the Reds make a trade with....the Yankees?
Is Joe Nathan healthy enough to close for the Twins? Well, Nathan's been pitching without pain leading up to spring training. He has the intestinal fortitude to tough out pain and do whatever it takes to win his job back. I think it may take some time for him to get back to closing. However, he's Joe Nathan and I wouldn't bet against seeing him in that role sooner than later. But Matt Capps is a more than capable care taker in the meantime. And it may turn out that Capps keeps the job all year. Who knows?
How is the health or rehab of the following players? Kendry Morales, Grady Sizemore, Maglio Ordonez, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Jake Peavy, Carlos Santana, Justin Morneau, Eric Bedard, Chipper Jones, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Johan Santana, and Stephen Strasburg just to name a few All Stars and top prospects who have been on the shelf. I believe Sizemore will be slow to return and Pedroia may have some lingering issues. Johan and Strasburg are longer term projects. But who knows if Morneau can play at his previous level with constant headaches or dizziness. Chipper is fighting age in his aching bones. Reyes showed he was healthy but he had his moments of health issues even when he claimed he was 100|PERCENT|. Bedard? That's another story for another day. My point? So many very good players are on the mend that great caution must be used by their field managers and their fantasy managers.
How will Dan Uggla perform in Atlanta? I think he'll do just fine. But I'm a Dan Uggla fan. I think he'll make a big offensive difference in their lineup. How will the team respond without Bobby Cox? Fine, thank you.
Does Desmond Jennings get sent down now that the Rays have Johnny Damon on board? Yes, they can keep his arbitration clock from ticking. However, they aren't very deep in the outfield. Let's watch what happens in spring training.
Do Damon and Manny Ramirez have anything left in the tank?
Will Albert Pujols' lack of contract extension be a distraction in St. Louis? I doubt it, but the thought of this being his last year for the Cards may loom large as the season progresses.
How big a season will Adam Dunn have for the White Sox? Isn't it the Cubs who really, really needed him? Who gets the closing job for Ozzie Guillen and where does Chris Sale fit? Starter? Closer? Set-Up guy?
What will Ozzie do with Dayan Viciedo?
Can Alex Gordon hit? Does Eric Hosmer get a chance to stick? How about Mike Moustakas? And folks-keep a space for Wil Myers. He won't be catching for long. It seems he may be playing OF in the future. But the guy can play! Not to mention all the other fantastic prospects they have waiting in the wings.
Who pitches for Pittsburgh until Jameson Taillon, Stetson Allie, Rudy Owens and other prospects are ready? The good nucleus of position players will have to wait it out until the team develops their pitching prospects. Oh, and what do they do with Ryan Doumit? Doumit can hit but he can't catch. Chris Snyder can catch but he can't hit.
Will any team be able to win back-to back games against a starting rotation of Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Hamels? There may be a break in the chain when Blanton takes the mound. I still think he ends up with the Yankees. The Giants and Phillies can run out a quality starting pitcher every single game. Not many clubs are 4 and 5 deep in the rotation.
Will Oakland get the hitter they need to go along with a superb starting rotation and a fine, fine pen? Maybe Chris Carter can hit quality pitching. That would really go a long way to help the A's. Michael Choice is looming. Michael Taylor? Not. At least not with the swing I've seen.
What does Cincinnati do with all those great prospects like Juan Francisco, Yonder Alonso, Zach Cozart, Todd Frazier, Billy Hamilton and on and on?
Is the Panda back? Can Aubrey Huff hit for an entire season? How about Cody Ross?
What do the DBacks do about 1B and 3B? Is it really true that Melvin Mora and Geoff Blum are penciled in at third? How about going full out and making a play for Michael Young? Actually, I'm looking forward to seeing Juan Miranda hit in Chase Field. He has some pop in his bat, but man, he is a dead red fastball hitter.
Where does Michael Young end up playing? How about with the DBacks?
Can Dustin Ackley hit big league pitching on a regular basis? Can Dustin Ackley play second base on a regular basis? Who is going to do the hitting for the Mariners? Is Justin Smoak their 1B? Can he hit?
Who takes the ball in the Yankees rotation after CC, Hughes and Burnett? Ivan Nova, Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos, Andrew Brackman, Sergio Mitre? Hardly household names. Enter Joe Blanton or a Reds starter or a Royals stud. Who knows? But they sure have some quality prospect catchers to talk about with other clubs including Jesus Montero, Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez. A guy like Montero can fetch a starting pitcher.
What will the Mets do about their $$$$ woes? What will they do about their bad contracts like Oliver Perez?
I could go on, but I already have a headache. There are lots of issues to sort out before April brings us games that count. There are ??? every year, and every year the ??? get answered. It just seems like this year the returns from injury cast a shadow over so many quality players.
I hope you'll read my weekly column where I'll talk about prospects that have a chance to impact our fantasy teams and their own clubs in the near future.
Have a great first week of spring training. I'll keep you posted on what I see or hear.