Spring Training Begins In Two Weeks-I'm Ready

• By: Bernie Pleskoff
• On: 2/8/2012 11:15:00 AM

Related: Bernie Pleskoff 


• View Comments : 9

It's always great to read that the trucks have left their home cities loaded with equipment for Spring Training. I'm ready.

I really can't rank potential Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. I have never seen him play. I find it impossible to include a player like Cespedes in my pre-season rankings until I have watched him personally or I've seen sufficient video and/or television coverage of him on an American team hitting against big league pitching. That wasn't the case with Japan's Yu Darvish. I got to see him pitch in the World Baseball Classic here in Arizona. While his results weren't that good, I got to see his potential and evaluate his mechanics and his "stuff." When my personal rankings are sent to RotoWire this week, Darvish will be included. As we move along in spring and the next iteration of the rankings are submitted, its likely I'll have a place for Cespedes. Word is the Marlins are very close to signing him. I wouldn't count out other teams from showing an interest and sticking at least their big toe in the Cespedes money pool. I haven't included Ryan Braun, Ryan Howard or Kendry Morales yet either. Their personal situations dictate a wait and see ranking.

If Cespedes signs with the Marlins, where does he play? Does he take the spot of Logan Morrison or Emilio Bonifacio? Bonifacio just beat the Marlins in arbitration and that might not sit well. I'm not a huge Morrison fan. Yet. But if I had to guess, Bonifacio might be the odd man out. If so, there are a few teams that could use his speed. For me, I think he could find a home in Detroit, Seattle, Oakland or on the Mets. Granted, he won't knock the ball out of the park, but he'll set the table, steal bases and score runs. I still believe in Bonifacio. He can also play the infield. He would be a great upgrade for the Tigers at 2B. Mets, too.

Every time I look at Jeremy Guthrie as a mediocre pitcher he surprises me by hanging in games and keeping his team close. The Indians gave up on him way too soon. Now the Orioles have shipped him to Colorado for the very mediocre Jason Hammel and the mediocre Matt Lindstrom. The Rockies get a new starter, true. They can use all the arms they can find for their rotation. However, lets see how Guthrie pitches in Coors. It was a trade of triple mediocrity.

Speaking of the Rockies, I think they are a much improved club. Along with the Padres, I think they are the most improved clubs over the off season. They have made a number of sound decisions and deals, changing the faces of position players and improving the offense.

The Indians Shelley Duncan is an interesting guy to have on a club. He may well be a late bloomer with some pull side power. If he finds himself in the mix at first base, he may be able to wrestle some at-bats from the right-handed batter's box. He can also play some in left field, spelling Michael Brantley against lefties. Hitters like Duncan have to get sustained at-bats to succeed. They are big and strong and have to get loose, see quality pitching consistently and get in a groove. That's very tough to do when playing only once a week. There are a number of hitters suffering from quick looks on a limited basis that could probably be much better with sustained at-bats.

It looks more and more like Bryce Harper will break camp with the Nationals if he has a good spring. The problem? Who is defining a "good" spring? I have no doubt Harper can play CF better than Roger Bernadina. Right now. If they didn't have Adam LaRoche, Michael Morse could play first and Harper could play left. They could leave Bernadina in center. Right field is pretty well sewn up with the presence of Jayson Werth. Bernadina should be the odd man out, but we'll have to wait and see. Harper probably has more development time to put in, but Davey Johnson is really lobbying for his presence on the big club right out of Spring Training.

I can see "Manny" with either Oakland or Baltimore. I think he'll sell a few tickets. The novelty of his presence in the clubhouse might spark a bit of interest in either of those cities. We'll find out if he has anything left in the tank. Supposedly, "Manny" is in good baseball shape and ready to go. I'll say this--I saw years and years of Manny from the time he was a rookie until he left the Indians. He was a fierce right-handed hitter. Along with Albert Belle, he punished pitchers. He worked hard and was a real asset to the club. When he left Cleveland he teamed with David Ortiz to provide outstanding pop for the Red Sox. Then he became "Manny" as opposed to being Manny Ramirez. The rest is history. He could have had a Hall of Fame career.

You know, it isn't just Miguel Cabrera playing 3B that will bring Jim Leyland heartburn. Think of this. Jhonny Peralta has exactly no range at shortstop. That's 0 as in zero. Now with Cabrera at third and Peralta at short, yikes! That alone should cause Justin Verlander some hiccups as he tries to repeat his 2011 campaign. The Tigers left side of the infield is a nightmare. And that's just another reason why I have Clayton Kershaw and Roy Halladay ahead of Verlander in my rankings. Ramon Santiago is a very good defensive middle-infielder. He will help if he plays 2B. If you're Leyland, do you pull Cabrera for Brandon Inge in the late innings? Well, if I'm Jim Leyland (I'm not, by the way. I'm Bernie Pleskoff) I'd platoon Prince and Cabrera between playing first and DH. I'd have to have a defensive 3B like Inge play most of the time. Or I'd go look for a different defensive 3B. Just not Miguel.

Victor Martinez' injury was much worse than originally reported. He should definitely miss the entire year. His first surgery was micro-surgery. That's the same type of surgery Grady Sizemore had. Takes a while to rehab and even then, there is no certainty. His next surgery repairs the tear.

Do you like Brian Matusz to return to form?

I like the fact the Rangers are giving 1B/OF Conor Jackson a shot by signing him to a Minor League contract. Prior to coming down with Valley Fever here in Arizona, Jackson was a reliable gap hitter. He was never much of a defender and he got a reputation as a "clank." I think it was undeserved. He was better than a stone handed player. I asked Indians manager Manny Acta about Jackson during the Winter Meetings in Dallas. I wondered if Jackson wasn't the right-handed bat the Tribe was looking for at 1B? He said they already had that in Shelley Duncan. Interesting comp. I hadn't thought of that. If he's Shelley Duncan, the Rangers have themselves a pretty good insurance policy for Mitch Moreland.

Don't forget about Pedro Borbon. Remember him? He's hitting well this winter. Granted, it isn't all big league quality pitching, but a few years ago Borbon was all the rage. He scuffled for the Rangers, fell off the depth chart and was buried by the presence of guys like Craig Gentry, David Murphy and now Leonys Martin. But I am curious to see how the Rangers use Borbon this coming spring.

Coming to Arizona for Spring Training? Did I tell you about "Crust" at Salt River Fields. Outstanding pizza. Going to the west side? Try "Sweet Tomatoes" for lunch. Outstanding salad bar, soups, dessert, pastries, everything you want. It's only a few blocks from the Peoria park, home of the Padres and Mariners. My spring articles will always include food items and restaurants. What's Spring Training without food? Oh, I just remembered. The absolute best, best, best buffet you will ever want is at the Talking Stick Resort and Casino right across the interstate from Salt River Fields. Fresh food that is just outstanding.

That's it. I'm out. Thank you for your time this time, until next time. Follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff and on MLB.com in the Voices section. As always, your questions and comments are more than welcome