Plenty Of Options
Late cuts from Opening Day rosters
A look at the players each organization optioned to the minors during the last two weeks of spring training (plus major league Rule 5 updates), with an eye toward identifying big league contributors this season:
Arizona
RHPs Edgar Gonzalez and Micah Owings won the battles for the fourth and fifth rotation spots (until Randy Johnson comes back), so back to Triple-A head RHP Enrique Gonzalez, who went 3-7, 5.67 in 18 big league starts last season, and LHP Dana Eveland. Recently acquired from the Marlins for RHP Jorge Julio, RHP Yusmeiro Petit will begin his Diamondbacks career in Tucson.
Atlanta
With his optioning to Triple-A, RHP Blaine Boyer became the first victim of the Braves' revamped bullpen. Boyer had appeared in just two games last season before requiring shoulder surgery, but look for him later in the year after he's built stamina.
Baltimore
SS Brandon Fahey, a true utilityman for last year's O's, will begin in the minors, as will RHPs Hayden Penn and James Hoey. Both pitchers could see significant big league time under the right circumstances. OF Jeff Fiorentino can play all three spots, but is hurt by Baltimore's surplus of lefthanded-hitting outfielders. RHP Todd Williams, despite logging 133 innings over the past two seasons, couldn't crack the Orioles' revamped bullpen to start the season.
Boston
Because the Red Sox have their positions covered at the big league level, C George Kottaras and OFs Brandon Moss and David Murphy will begin in Pawtucket. RHPs Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen and Devern Hansack didn't show enough this spring to dislodge Boston's veteran relievers.
Chicago Cubs
LHP Sean Marshall and RHPs Carlos Marmol and Roberto Novoa, a trio that gave the Cubs nearly 280 innings last season, all begin in the minors. OF Angel Pagan got into 77 games last year, but a repeat is unlikely given the Cubs imported three veteran outfielders last winter in Alfonso Soriano, Cliff Floyd and Daryle Ward. Top prospect OF Felix Pie begins in Triple-A.
Chicago White Sox
OF Ryan Sweeney and 3B Josh Fields will get a second look at International League pitchers--at least to begin the year. Offseason trade acquisition RHP Gavin Floyd will attempt to work out his difficulties with Charlotte, where he'll be joined by RHP Charlie Haeger and LHP Boone Logan, who both pitched out of the Chicago 'pen last year.
Cincinnati
It isn't easy to contend while carrying two major league Rule 5 picks, but that's what the Reds intend to do. OF Josh Hamilton is guaranteed a spot based on his hot hitting and the fact that Chris Denorfia was felled by a torn elbow ligament. RHP Jared Burton faced longer odds, but by optioning RHP Gary Majewski--a key piece to last season's Austin Kearns trade--the Reds signaled their preference for keeping Burton.
Cleveland
OF Shin-Soo Choo was optioned to Triple-A in a move that could be seen from miles away. The Indians had acquired not one, but two--Dave Dellucci and Trot Nixon--veteran lefthanded-hitting outfielders in the offseason. 2B Hector Luna, who like Choo was acquired during the 2006 season, was also farmed out, with Joe Inglett and Mike Rouse securing reserve infielder spots.
Colorado
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez will wait for the call with Colorado Springs, where he begins the year. He went 5-2, 5.06 with 64-43 strikeouts-walks in 78 innings for the Sky Sox last year, compared with 9-2, 2.45 with 86-40 strikeouts-walks in 73 innings for Double-A Tulsa. He may need a half-season or less in the minors until he's big league ready.
Detroit
With Sean Casey and now Marcus Thames available at first base, its back to Triple-A for 1B Chris Shelton. Similarly, SS Ramon Santiago couldn't force his way onto a roster that already includes reserve infielders Omar Infante and Neifi Perez. Despite pitching well at times for the Tigers last year, RHP Zach Miner will open with Toledo. The man who replaces him, RHP Chad Durbin, excelled with the IL-champion Mud Hens last season, going 11-8, 3.11 with 149-46 strikeouts-walks in 185 innings. OF Brent Clevlen's best path to the majors is probably as a center fielder, seeing as Detroit has four righthanded-hitting corner outfielders on its roster. Detroit will keep major league Rule 5 pick LHP Edward Campusano, though he will miss the season after having Tommy John surgery this spring.
Florida
OF Eric Reed heads to Triple-A in deference to surprise choice Alejandro De Aza, who opens 2007 as the Marlins' center fielder. Reed hit .303/.344/.438 for the Isotopes in 2006, though Albuquerque's park played as one of the PCL's friendliest last season.
Houston
The Astros assigned two of their better young hurlers--RHPs Fernando Nieve and Matt Albers--to Triple-A after LHP Wandy Rodriguez and RHP Chris Sampson secured rotation spots. Nieve pitched well as a rookie swingman for Houston in 2006, going 3-3, 4.20 in 96 innings of work. Albers also made his big league debut last year, but it amounted to four games, two of them starts, in which went 0-2, 6.00. The club's acquisition of 2B Mark Loretta pushed SS Eric Bruntlett, a big league utility player in each of the past four seasons, to Triple-A to begin the year.
Kansas City
General manager Dayton Moore announced things are going to be different around Kansas City, as the club optioned SS Angel Berroa, the 2003 AL Rookie of the Year, and OF Joey Gathright, whom Moore acquired last season, to Triple-A. The duo logged more time than any other Royal at shortstop and center field last year. With Mark Teahen now an outfielder, OF Shane Costa will play every day in Triple-A. 1B Justin Huber will embark on a third straight season spent at least partially in Omaha. RHP Brian Bannister, acquired in the offseason for Ambiorix Burgos, was beaten out for rotation spots by LHP Jorge de la Rosa and RHP Brandon Duckworth. RHP Joakim Soria was the second overall pick of the major league Rule 5 draft on the basis of his strong work in the Mexican League last season, where he posted a 30-11 strikeouts-walks ratio in 37 relief innings. He lived up to those expectations this spring to make the Opening Day roster.
Los Angeles Angels
Darren Oliver is slated to be the only lefty in the Los Angeles bullpen with LHP Phil Seibel being optioned to Triple-A. Seibel had been acquired from the Red Sox in exchange for Brendan Donnelly last fall. Erstwhile top prospects 1B Kendry Morales and C Jeff Mathis also will begin in the minors. C Mike Napoli and 1B Casey Kotchman were the benefactors, winning major league jobs.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Though OF Matt Kemp made the team as a reserve outfielder, 1B James Loney and 3B Andy LaRoche were optioned to Las Vegas, but could force their way to the majors with strong play. Former Rockies No. 1 prospect RHP Chin-Hui Tsao, who signed as a free agent last winter, also was sent down.
Milwaukee
LHP Zach Jackson will work on commanding his repertoire in Triple-A, as RHPs Claudio Vargas and Carlos Villanueva secured rotation spots. RHPs Jose Capellan and Chris Spurling, who both pitched in the Brewers' bullpen last year, were optioned to Nashville during the final round of cuts.
Minnesota
Rochester will be the place to catch the future of the Twins rotation. The organization's top two prospects--RHP Matt Garza and LHP Glen Perkins--begin in Triple-A, where they'll be ready at the first sign of trouble for big league RHPs Sidney Ponson, Ramon Ortiz and Carlos Silva. RHPs Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey will fill out the Red Wings' rotation. The Twins placed major league Rule 5 pick SS Alejandro Machado on the disabled list with a torn labrum, delaying a decision on whether they need to offer him back to the Nationals.
New York Mets
OF Ben Johnson will bide his time in New Orleans while waiting for an opportunity to play in place of either Moises Alou or Shawn Green. RHP Jorge Sosa was optioned to Triple-A after a poor spring training showing.
New York Yankees
The Yankees' crowded outfield offers no place for OF Bronson Sardinha to get playing time, but if he repeats his Triple-A line from last season--.286/.365/.492 in 185 at-bats--New York might make room for him on the bench. Major league Rule 5 draftee 1B Josh Phelps, who ranked second in the IL in slugging percentage last season, made the Opening Day roster as a part-time first baseman. RHPs Chris Britton, acquired from the Orioles for RHP Jaret Wright, and Colter Bean were last-minute cuts in favor of RHP Brian Bruney and LHP Sean Henn.
Oakland
LHP Joe Kennedy nailed down a big league rotation spot, so RHP Jason Windsor begins in Triple-A. LHP Ron Flores compiled 30 innings with Oakland last season but did not fare well against lefties; they hit .323/.364/.452 off him. The A's returned major league Rule 5 pick OF Ryan Goleski to the Indians, but intend to keep LHP Jay Marshall, who spent all of last season in high Class A.
Philadelphia
The Phillies optioned a pair of lefties to Ottawa, Eude Brito and Fabio Castro. Both will work as starters in Triple-A, though their initial roles in the big leagues will probably come in relief. Castro enjoyed some success with the Phils last year, posting a 1.54 ERA in 23 innings. Not bad for the 5-foot-8 lefty, who was taken first overall in the 2005 major league Rule 5 draft by the Royals, who subsequently flipped him to the Rangers for 2B Esteban German in December 2005. The Rangers then dealt him to the Phillies last June for LHP Daniel Haigwood.
Pittsburgh
Crowded out of the Pirates lefty-heavy rotation, LHPs Sean Burnett and Shane Younan will begin with Indianapolis. RHP Josh Sharpless will join them as he waits for a bullpen spot to open.
St. Louis
Despite hitting .298/.378/.434 as a part-time player in the majors and showing no platoon split, OF John Rodriguez will participate in his fifth consecutive Triple-A season. The Cardinals outfield picture is crowded by glove-minded reserve OFs So Taguchi and Skip Schumaker.
San Diego
The Padres open the season without a lefthanded reliever, so if LHP Royce Ring performs at Portland he may not be there long. The club intends to carry major league Rule 5 pick RHP Kevin Cameron, further muddling the bullpen situation. With the acquisitions of veterans Greg Maddux and David Wells, RHP Tim Stauffer was pushed out of consideration for a rotation spot. He has pitched for the Beavers in each of the past three seasons.
San Francisco
OF Todd Linden, who is out of options, secured a big league bench job, sending OF Fred Lewis back to Fresno. The last-minute trade of OF Jason Ellison to the Mariners also guaranteed a roster spot for 1B Lance Niekro, another out-of-options Giant. RHP Brian Wilson, who worked 30 innings for the Giants last year, will join Lewis with the Grizzlies.
Seattle
OF Jeremy Reed, the Mariners' Opening Day center fielder in both 2005 and 2006, was optioned to Tacoma to make room for Ichiro Suzuki, who will play center in 2007. Reed will be pushed by top prospect OF Adam Jones for playing time down the road. C Rene Rivera, the primary backup backstop last season, lost the job to veteran Jamie Burke this spring. A pair of young lefties--Ryan Feierabend and Eric O'Flaherty--got their feet wet with Seattle last season, but will begin 2007 in the minors. RHP Cha-Seung Baek appeared to finally get over the hump last season, throwing 34 mostly-effective innings with the big club, but he's headed for his fourth engagement at Tacoma. Also despite getting some big league playing time in 2006, OF Mike Morse and LHP Jake Woods were last-minute cuts. The Mariners will carry major league Rule 5 pick RHP Sean White and 2006 fifth-overall pick RHP Brandon Morrow to open the season.
Tampa Bay
3B/1B Joel Guzman, still just 21 and with two-plus years' experience above Double-A, was optioned to Triple-A Durham, along with 2B Jorge Cantu, the Devil Rays' primary second baseman in each of the past two seasons. Cantu had demanded a trade. LHP J.P. Howell came up just short in the race for the No. 5 rotation spot, losing out to RHP Edwin Jackson. Somewhat experienced RHPs Seth McClung and Chad Orvella also will begin on the Durham pitching staff.
Texas
OFs Jason Botts and Victor Diaz will open with Oklahoma, as the Rangers return just one outfielder, Brad Wilkerson, who opened 2006 with the club. If Texas requires more righthanded pop than Sammy Sosa or Nelson Cruz can supply, Botts could be an in-season solution. The switch-hitter hit .365/.400/.635 against lefthanders in Triple-A last season. The 24-year-old Diaz, who was acquired from the Mets last season for C Mike Nickeas, sports a career big league slugging percentage of .471--though he went MIA with Triple-A Norfolk last season, compiling a miserable .224/.276/.330 line. RHPs Frank Francisco, who returned from Tommy John surgery last season to pitch seven big league innings, and Wes Littleton also will open at Triple-A. Littleton opened eyes with a 1.73 ERA last season over 36 innings, and induced the high number of groundballs preferable from a pitcher who calls Arlington home. His horrific spring led to his demotion.
Toronto
First-round picks 2B/SS Russ Adams, taken 14th overall in 2002, and RHP Dustin McGowan, who was granted an extra option for missing a year to Tommy John surgery, both will open with Syracuse. Major league Rule 5'er 2B Jason Smith inherits Adams' lefty-hitting reserve infielder role to begin the year. RHP Brandon League, who thrived in late-inning relief in the second half last season, will begin the year with Syracuse in order to gradually increase his workload. His offseason throwing program was interrupted by shoulder soreness and his spring training velocity was adversely affected by a return of the soreness.
Washington
The Nationals will turn to veteran 1B Dmitri Young to replace the inured Nick Johnson, prompting a return to Triple-A for 1B Larry Broadway. Like the Reds, the Nationals intend to carry two major league Rule 5 picks in C Jesus Flores and RHP Levale Speigner. Flores is the club's primary backup catcher and Speigner could fill either a starting or relieving role, depending on Washington's needs. OF Kory Casto was slated to begin in the minors--in favor of OFs Chris Snelling and Nook Logan--but an injury to Logan on Opening Day cleared a big league roster spot for him. RHP Saul Rivera pitched 60 big league innings out of the bullpen last year, but was one of the club's final cuts.
Late cuts from Opening Day rosters
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PrintA look at the players each organization optioned to the minors during the last two weeks of spring training (plus major league Rule 5 updates), with an eye toward identifying big league contributors this season:
Arizona
RHPs Edgar Gonzalez and Micah Owings won the battles for the fourth and fifth rotation spots (until Randy Johnson comes back), so back to Triple-A head RHP Enrique Gonzalez, who went 3-7, 5.67 in 18 big league starts last season, and LHP Dana Eveland. Recently acquired from the Marlins for RHP Jorge Julio, RHP Yusmeiro Petit will begin his Diamondbacks career in Tucson.
Atlanta
With his optioning to Triple-A, RHP Blaine Boyer became the first victim of the Braves' revamped bullpen. Boyer had appeared in just two games last season before requiring shoulder surgery, but look for him later in the year after he's built stamina.
Baltimore
SS Brandon Fahey, a true utilityman for last year's O's, will begin in the minors, as will RHPs Hayden Penn and James Hoey. Both pitchers could see significant big league time under the right circumstances. OF Jeff Fiorentino can play all three spots, but is hurt by Baltimore's surplus of lefthanded-hitting outfielders. RHP Todd Williams, despite logging 133 innings over the past two seasons, couldn't crack the Orioles' revamped bullpen to start the season.
Boston
Because the Red Sox have their positions covered at the big league level, C George Kottaras and OFs Brandon Moss and David Murphy will begin in Pawtucket. RHPs Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen and Devern Hansack didn't show enough this spring to dislodge Boston's veteran relievers.
Chicago Cubs
LHP Sean Marshall and RHPs Carlos Marmol and Roberto Novoa, a trio that gave the Cubs nearly 280 innings last season, all begin in the minors. OF Angel Pagan got into 77 games last year, but a repeat is unlikely given the Cubs imported three veteran outfielders last winter in Alfonso Soriano, Cliff Floyd and Daryle Ward. Top prospect OF Felix Pie begins in Triple-A.
Chicago White Sox
OF Ryan Sweeney and 3B Josh Fields will get a second look at International League pitchers--at least to begin the year. Offseason trade acquisition RHP Gavin Floyd will attempt to work out his difficulties with Charlotte, where he'll be joined by RHP Charlie Haeger and LHP Boone Logan, who both pitched out of the Chicago 'pen last year.
Cincinnati
It isn't easy to contend while carrying two major league Rule 5 picks, but that's what the Reds intend to do. OF Josh Hamilton is guaranteed a spot based on his hot hitting and the fact that Chris Denorfia was felled by a torn elbow ligament. RHP Jared Burton faced longer odds, but by optioning RHP Gary Majewski--a key piece to last season's Austin Kearns trade--the Reds signaled their preference for keeping Burton.
Cleveland
OF Shin-Soo Choo was optioned to Triple-A in a move that could be seen from miles away. The Indians had acquired not one, but two--Dave Dellucci and Trot Nixon--veteran lefthanded-hitting outfielders in the offseason. 2B Hector Luna, who like Choo was acquired during the 2006 season, was also farmed out, with Joe Inglett and Mike Rouse securing reserve infielder spots.
Colorado
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez will wait for the call with Colorado Springs, where he begins the year. He went 5-2, 5.06 with 64-43 strikeouts-walks in 78 innings for the Sky Sox last year, compared with 9-2, 2.45 with 86-40 strikeouts-walks in 73 innings for Double-A Tulsa. He may need a half-season or less in the minors until he's big league ready.
Detroit
With Sean Casey and now Marcus Thames available at first base, its back to Triple-A for 1B Chris Shelton. Similarly, SS Ramon Santiago couldn't force his way onto a roster that already includes reserve infielders Omar Infante and Neifi Perez. Despite pitching well at times for the Tigers last year, RHP Zach Miner will open with Toledo. The man who replaces him, RHP Chad Durbin, excelled with the IL-champion Mud Hens last season, going 11-8, 3.11 with 149-46 strikeouts-walks in 185 innings. OF Brent Clevlen's best path to the majors is probably as a center fielder, seeing as Detroit has four righthanded-hitting corner outfielders on its roster. Detroit will keep major league Rule 5 pick LHP Edward Campusano, though he will miss the season after having Tommy John surgery this spring.
Florida
OF Eric Reed heads to Triple-A in deference to surprise choice Alejandro De Aza, who opens 2007 as the Marlins' center fielder. Reed hit .303/.344/.438 for the Isotopes in 2006, though Albuquerque's park played as one of the PCL's friendliest last season.
Houston
The Astros assigned two of their better young hurlers--RHPs Fernando Nieve and Matt Albers--to Triple-A after LHP Wandy Rodriguez and RHP Chris Sampson secured rotation spots. Nieve pitched well as a rookie swingman for Houston in 2006, going 3-3, 4.20 in 96 innings of work. Albers also made his big league debut last year, but it amounted to four games, two of them starts, in which went 0-2, 6.00. The club's acquisition of 2B Mark Loretta pushed SS Eric Bruntlett, a big league utility player in each of the past four seasons, to Triple-A to begin the year.
Kansas City
General manager Dayton Moore announced things are going to be different around Kansas City, as the club optioned SS Angel Berroa, the 2003 AL Rookie of the Year, and OF Joey Gathright, whom Moore acquired last season, to Triple-A. The duo logged more time than any other Royal at shortstop and center field last year. With Mark Teahen now an outfielder, OF Shane Costa will play every day in Triple-A. 1B Justin Huber will embark on a third straight season spent at least partially in Omaha. RHP Brian Bannister, acquired in the offseason for Ambiorix Burgos, was beaten out for rotation spots by LHP Jorge de la Rosa and RHP Brandon Duckworth. RHP Joakim Soria was the second overall pick of the major league Rule 5 draft on the basis of his strong work in the Mexican League last season, where he posted a 30-11 strikeouts-walks ratio in 37 relief innings. He lived up to those expectations this spring to make the Opening Day roster.
Los Angeles Angels
Darren Oliver is slated to be the only lefty in the Los Angeles bullpen with LHP Phil Seibel being optioned to Triple-A. Seibel had been acquired from the Red Sox in exchange for Brendan Donnelly last fall. Erstwhile top prospects 1B Kendry Morales and C Jeff Mathis also will begin in the minors. C Mike Napoli and 1B Casey Kotchman were the benefactors, winning major league jobs.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Though OF Matt Kemp made the team as a reserve outfielder, 1B James Loney and 3B Andy LaRoche were optioned to Las Vegas, but could force their way to the majors with strong play. Former Rockies No. 1 prospect RHP Chin-Hui Tsao, who signed as a free agent last winter, also was sent down.
Milwaukee
LHP Zach Jackson will work on commanding his repertoire in Triple-A, as RHPs Claudio Vargas and Carlos Villanueva secured rotation spots. RHPs Jose Capellan and Chris Spurling, who both pitched in the Brewers' bullpen last year, were optioned to Nashville during the final round of cuts.
Minnesota
Rochester will be the place to catch the future of the Twins rotation. The organization's top two prospects--RHP Matt Garza and LHP Glen Perkins--begin in Triple-A, where they'll be ready at the first sign of trouble for big league RHPs Sidney Ponson, Ramon Ortiz and Carlos Silva. RHPs Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey will fill out the Red Wings' rotation. The Twins placed major league Rule 5 pick SS Alejandro Machado on the disabled list with a torn labrum, delaying a decision on whether they need to offer him back to the Nationals.
New York Mets
OF Ben Johnson will bide his time in New Orleans while waiting for an opportunity to play in place of either Moises Alou or Shawn Green. RHP Jorge Sosa was optioned to Triple-A after a poor spring training showing.
New York Yankees
The Yankees' crowded outfield offers no place for OF Bronson Sardinha to get playing time, but if he repeats his Triple-A line from last season--.286/.365/.492 in 185 at-bats--New York might make room for him on the bench. Major league Rule 5 draftee 1B Josh Phelps, who ranked second in the IL in slugging percentage last season, made the Opening Day roster as a part-time first baseman. RHPs Chris Britton, acquired from the Orioles for RHP Jaret Wright, and Colter Bean were last-minute cuts in favor of RHP Brian Bruney and LHP Sean Henn.
Oakland
LHP Joe Kennedy nailed down a big league rotation spot, so RHP Jason Windsor begins in Triple-A. LHP Ron Flores compiled 30 innings with Oakland last season but did not fare well against lefties; they hit .323/.364/.452 off him. The A's returned major league Rule 5 pick OF Ryan Goleski to the Indians, but intend to keep LHP Jay Marshall, who spent all of last season in high Class A.
Philadelphia
The Phillies optioned a pair of lefties to Ottawa, Eude Brito and Fabio Castro. Both will work as starters in Triple-A, though their initial roles in the big leagues will probably come in relief. Castro enjoyed some success with the Phils last year, posting a 1.54 ERA in 23 innings. Not bad for the 5-foot-8 lefty, who was taken first overall in the 2005 major league Rule 5 draft by the Royals, who subsequently flipped him to the Rangers for 2B Esteban German in December 2005. The Rangers then dealt him to the Phillies last June for LHP Daniel Haigwood.
Pittsburgh
Crowded out of the Pirates lefty-heavy rotation, LHPs Sean Burnett and Shane Younan will begin with Indianapolis. RHP Josh Sharpless will join them as he waits for a bullpen spot to open.
St. Louis
Despite hitting .298/.378/.434 as a part-time player in the majors and showing no platoon split, OF John Rodriguez will participate in his fifth consecutive Triple-A season. The Cardinals outfield picture is crowded by glove-minded reserve OFs So Taguchi and Skip Schumaker.
San Diego
The Padres open the season without a lefthanded reliever, so if LHP Royce Ring performs at Portland he may not be there long. The club intends to carry major league Rule 5 pick RHP Kevin Cameron, further muddling the bullpen situation. With the acquisitions of veterans Greg Maddux and David Wells, RHP Tim Stauffer was pushed out of consideration for a rotation spot. He has pitched for the Beavers in each of the past three seasons.
San Francisco
OF Todd Linden, who is out of options, secured a big league bench job, sending OF Fred Lewis back to Fresno. The last-minute trade of OF Jason Ellison to the Mariners also guaranteed a roster spot for 1B Lance Niekro, another out-of-options Giant. RHP Brian Wilson, who worked 30 innings for the Giants last year, will join Lewis with the Grizzlies.
Seattle
OF Jeremy Reed, the Mariners' Opening Day center fielder in both 2005 and 2006, was optioned to Tacoma to make room for Ichiro Suzuki, who will play center in 2007. Reed will be pushed by top prospect OF Adam Jones for playing time down the road. C Rene Rivera, the primary backup backstop last season, lost the job to veteran Jamie Burke this spring. A pair of young lefties--Ryan Feierabend and Eric O'Flaherty--got their feet wet with Seattle last season, but will begin 2007 in the minors. RHP Cha-Seung Baek appeared to finally get over the hump last season, throwing 34 mostly-effective innings with the big club, but he's headed for his fourth engagement at Tacoma. Also despite getting some big league playing time in 2006, OF Mike Morse and LHP Jake Woods were last-minute cuts. The Mariners will carry major league Rule 5 pick RHP Sean White and 2006 fifth-overall pick RHP Brandon Morrow to open the season.
Tampa Bay
3B/1B Joel Guzman, still just 21 and with two-plus years' experience above Double-A, was optioned to Triple-A Durham, along with 2B Jorge Cantu, the Devil Rays' primary second baseman in each of the past two seasons. Cantu had demanded a trade. LHP J.P. Howell came up just short in the race for the No. 5 rotation spot, losing out to RHP Edwin Jackson. Somewhat experienced RHPs Seth McClung and Chad Orvella also will begin on the Durham pitching staff.
Texas
OFs Jason Botts and Victor Diaz will open with Oklahoma, as the Rangers return just one outfielder, Brad Wilkerson, who opened 2006 with the club. If Texas requires more righthanded pop than Sammy Sosa or Nelson Cruz can supply, Botts could be an in-season solution. The switch-hitter hit .365/.400/.635 against lefthanders in Triple-A last season. The 24-year-old Diaz, who was acquired from the Mets last season for C Mike Nickeas, sports a career big league slugging percentage of .471--though he went MIA with Triple-A Norfolk last season, compiling a miserable .224/.276/.330 line. RHPs Frank Francisco, who returned from Tommy John surgery last season to pitch seven big league innings, and Wes Littleton also will open at Triple-A. Littleton opened eyes with a 1.73 ERA last season over 36 innings, and induced the high number of groundballs preferable from a pitcher who calls Arlington home. His horrific spring led to his demotion.
Toronto
First-round picks 2B/SS Russ Adams, taken 14th overall in 2002, and RHP Dustin McGowan, who was granted an extra option for missing a year to Tommy John surgery, both will open with Syracuse. Major league Rule 5'er 2B Jason Smith inherits Adams' lefty-hitting reserve infielder role to begin the year. RHP Brandon League, who thrived in late-inning relief in the second half last season, will begin the year with Syracuse in order to gradually increase his workload. His offseason throwing program was interrupted by shoulder soreness and his spring training velocity was adversely affected by a return of the soreness.
Washington
The Nationals will turn to veteran 1B Dmitri Young to replace the inured Nick Johnson, prompting a return to Triple-A for 1B Larry Broadway. Like the Reds, the Nationals intend to carry two major league Rule 5 picks in C Jesus Flores and RHP Levale Speigner. Flores is the club's primary backup catcher and Speigner could fill either a starting or relieving role, depending on Washington's needs. OF Kory Casto was slated to begin in the minors--in favor of OFs Chris Snelling and Nook Logan--but an injury to Logan on Opening Day cleared a big league roster spot for him. RHP Saul Rivera pitched 60 big league innings out of the bullpen last year, but was one of the club's final cuts.
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