NL Projected Rosters
Here are the projected rosters and notes for the National League squads.
Rotoworld's online draft guide remains available and will continue to be updated through the first week of the season.
ArizonaLineup
LF
Conor JacksonSS
Stephen DrewRF
Justin Upton1B
Adam LaRoche3B
Mark ReynoldsC
Miguel MonteroCF
Chris Young2B
Kelly JohnsonBench
OF
Gerardo ParraC
Chris SnyderINF-OF
Ryan RobertsINF
Tony AbreuINF
Augie OjedaRotation
Dan HarenEdwin JacksonIan KennedyRodrigo LopezBilly BucknerBullpen
Chad Qualls (closer)
Juan GutierrezBob HowryAaron HeilmanEsmerling VasquezClay Zavada
Blaine BoyerDL
SP
Brandon WebbThe Diamondbacks haven't decided yet whether to go Jackson-Drew or Drew-Jackson at the top of the order, but the group as a whole seems pretty well set. One has to think big things are in store for LaRoche if he can stay in the cleanup spot all season. … Ojeda could be traded by Opening Day. Abreu has showed that he can serve as a backup shortstop, and he has far more offensive upside than Augie. If Ojeda goes, then
Rusty Ryal will probably make the team. … It'd be quite a disappointment if the Diamondbacks opened the season with both Lopez and Buckner in the rotation. Lopez figures to be there, but Buckner has been terrible and there should be some upgrades available this week.
AtlantaLineup
CF
Nate McLouth2B
Martin Prado3B
Chipper Jones1B
Troy GlausC
Brian McCannSS
Yunel EscobarRF
Jason HeywardLF
Matt DiazBench
OF
Melky CabreraINF-OF
Eric HinskeINF
Omar InfanteC
David RossINF
Brooks ConradRotation
Derek LoweJair JurrjensTommy HansonTim HudsonKenshin KawakamiBullpen
Billy Wagner (closer)
Peter MoylanTakashi SaitoEric O'Flaherty
Kris MedlenJo-Jo ReyesJesse ChavezWith Heyward opening the season in the majors, it'll be interesting to watch how Diaz and Cabrera share time in left field. Cabrera is likely the better option against righties, but Diaz earned his chance to play full-time with his performance last year and he has been the more productive of the two this spring. Diaz figures to play pretty regularly initially. … The last bench spot has come down to Conrad and
Joe Thurston. … There are still two openings in the bullpen. Chavez was supposed to be on the team after being picked up from the Rays for
Rafael Soriano, but he's been terrible this spring. My guess is that the Braves will pick up a reliever on waivers or in a minor deal.
ChicagoLineup
SS
Ryan TheriotRF
Kosuke Fukudome1B
Derrek Lee3B
Aramis RamirezCF
Marlon ByrdLF
Alfonso SorianoC
Geovany Soto2B
Mike FontenotBench
OF
Tyler ColvinOF
Xavier NadyINF
Jeff BakerINF
Chad TracyC
Koyie HillRotation
Carlos ZambranoRyan DempsterRandy WellsCarlos SilvaTom GorzelannyBullpen
Carlos Marmol (closer)
John GrabowEsmailin CaridadSean MarshallJeff SamardzijaJustin BergJames RussellDL
SP
Ted LillyYeah, Colvin is having a terrific spring with his .468 average and .710 slugging percentage in 62 at-bats. But he hasn't walked even once. He's still rather raw for a 24-year-old. He's a career .277/.320/.465 hitter in the minors, and he's never played a single game in Triple-A. I think the Cubs should have stuck with the original plan and sent him to Iowa. … Lilly is slated to return in mid-April, pushing either Silva or Gorzy to the pen.
CincinnatiLineup
CF
Drew StubbsSS
Orlando Cabrera1B
Joey Votto2B
Brandon Phillips3B
Scott RolenRF
Jay BruceLF
Jonny GomesC
Ramon HernandezBench
OF
Chris DickersonC
Ryan HaniganINF
Aaron MilesINF
Paul JanishOF Wladimir Balentien
Rotation
Aaron HarangBronson ArroyoJohnny CuetoHomer BaileyTravis WoodBullpen
Francisco Cordero (closer)
Nick MassetArthur RhodesJared BurtonDaniel Ray Herrera
Micah OwingsMike LincolnDickerson may well start over Gomes or Stubbs on Opening Day. Regardless, he's in line for significantly more playing time than most fourth outfielders. … The last three bench spots haven't been decided. It's Miles,
Miguel Cairo,
Paul Janish,
Drew Sutton and
Chris Burke for two and Balentien against
Laynce Nix for the other. That Balentien is out of options helps his case. …
Aroldis Chapman's back injury figures to keep him out of the rotation to open the season, but he could be up for good by late April. I think Wood is the favorite for the fifth spot right now, but the Reds could try 2009 first-rounder
Mike Leake instead.
Matt Maloney and Owings appear to be out of the mix.
NL Projected Rosters
Here are the projected rosters and notes for the National League squads.
Rotoworld's online draft guide remains available and will continue to be updated through the first week of the season.
ArizonaLineup
LF
Conor JacksonSS
Stephen DrewRF
Justin Upton1B
Adam LaRoche3B
Mark ReynoldsC
Miguel MonteroCF
Chris Young2B
Kelly JohnsonBench
OF
Gerardo ParraC
Chris SnyderINF-OF
Ryan RobertsINF
Tony AbreuINF
Augie OjedaRotation
Dan HarenEdwin JacksonIan KennedyRodrigo LopezBilly BucknerBullpen
Chad Qualls (closer)
Juan GutierrezBob HowryAaron HeilmanEsmerling VasquezClay Zavada
Blaine BoyerDL
SP
Brandon WebbThe Diamondbacks haven't decided yet whether to go Jackson-Drew or Drew-Jackson at the top of the order, but the group as a whole seems pretty well set. One has to think big things are in store for LaRoche if he can stay in the cleanup spot all season. … Ojeda could be traded by Opening Day. Abreu has showed that he can serve as a backup shortstop, and he has far more offensive upside than Augie. If Ojeda goes, then
Rusty Ryal will probably make the team. … It'd be quite a disappointment if the Diamondbacks opened the season with both Lopez and Buckner in the rotation. Lopez figures to be there, but Buckner has been terrible and there should be some upgrades available this week.
AtlantaLineup
CF
Nate McLouth2B
Martin Prado3B
Chipper Jones1B
Troy GlausC
Brian McCannSS
Yunel EscobarRF
Jason HeywardLF
Matt DiazBench
OF
Melky CabreraINF-OF
Eric HinskeINF
Omar InfanteC
David RossINF
Brooks ConradRotation
Derek LoweJair JurrjensTommy HansonTim HudsonKenshin KawakamiBullpen
Billy Wagner (closer)
Peter MoylanTakashi SaitoEric O'Flaherty
Kris MedlenJo-Jo ReyesJesse ChavezWith Heyward opening the season in the majors, it'll be interesting to watch how Diaz and Cabrera share time in left field. Cabrera is likely the better option against righties, but Diaz earned his chance to play full-time with his performance last year and he has been the more productive of the two this spring. Diaz figures to play pretty regularly initially. … The last bench spot has come down to Conrad and
Joe Thurston. … There are still two openings in the bullpen. Chavez was supposed to be on the team after being picked up from the Rays for
Rafael Soriano, but he's been terrible this spring. My guess is that the Braves will pick up a reliever on waivers or in a minor deal.
ChicagoLineup
SS
Ryan TheriotRF
Kosuke Fukudome1B
Derrek Lee3B
Aramis RamirezCF
Marlon ByrdLF
Alfonso SorianoC
Geovany Soto2B
Mike FontenotBench
OF
Tyler ColvinOF
Xavier NadyINF
Jeff BakerINF
Chad TracyC
Koyie HillRotation
Carlos ZambranoRyan DempsterRandy WellsCarlos SilvaTom GorzelannyBullpen
Carlos Marmol (closer)
John GrabowEsmailin CaridadSean MarshallJeff SamardzijaJustin BergJames RussellDL
SP
Ted LillyYeah, Colvin is having a terrific spring with his .468 average and .710 slugging percentage in 62 at-bats. But he hasn't walked even once. He's still rather raw for a 24-year-old. He's a career .277/.320/.465 hitter in the minors, and he's never played a single game in Triple-A. I think the Cubs should have stuck with the original plan and sent him to Iowa. … Lilly is slated to return in mid-April, pushing either Silva or Gorzy to the pen.
CincinnatiLineup
CF
Drew StubbsSS
Orlando Cabrera1B
Joey Votto2B
Brandon Phillips3B
Scott RolenRF
Jay BruceLF
Jonny GomesC
Ramon HernandezBench
OF
Chris DickersonC
Ryan HaniganINF
Aaron MilesINF
Paul JanishOF Wladimir Balentien
Rotation
Aaron HarangBronson ArroyoJohnny CuetoHomer BaileyTravis WoodBullpen
Francisco Cordero (closer)
Nick MassetArthur RhodesJared BurtonDaniel Ray Herrera
Micah OwingsMike LincolnDickerson may well start over Gomes or Stubbs on Opening Day. Regardless, he's in line for significantly more playing time than most fourth outfielders. … The last three bench spots haven't been decided. It's Miles,
Miguel Cairo,
Paul Janish,
Drew Sutton and
Chris Burke for two and Balentien against
Laynce Nix for the other. That Balentien is out of options helps his case. …
Aroldis Chapman's back injury figures to keep him out of the rotation to open the season, but he could be up for good by late April. I think Wood is the favorite for the fifth spot right now, but the Reds could try 2009 first-rounder
Mike Leake instead.
Matt Maloney and Owings appear to be out of the mix.
ColoradoLineup
LF
Carlos GonzalezCF
Dexter Fowler1B
Todd HeltonSS
Troy TulowitzkiRF
Brad HawpeC
Chris Iannetta3B
Ian Stewart2B
Clint BarmesBench
OF
Seth SmithC
Miguel OlivoOF
Ryan Spilborghs1B
Jason GiambiINF
Melvin MoraRotation
Ubaldo JimenezJeff FrancisAaron CookJorge De La RosaJason HammelBullpen
Franklin Morales (closer)
Rafael BetancourtManuel Corpas
Matt DaleyMatt BelisleRandy FloresJustin SpeierDL
RP
Huston StreetThe Rockies entered spring training with fewer questions about their roster than probably any team in baseball. Of course, one big one crept up earlier this month, when Street went down with a shoulder injury. Morales is expected to be the fill-in closer. Speier,
Joe Beimel and
Tim Redding look like the top contenders to take the open the spot in the pen.
FloridaLineup
LF
Chris CoghlanCF
Cameron MaybinSS
Hanley Ramirez3B
Jorge Cantu2B
Dan UgglaRF
Cody RossC
John Baker1B
Gaby SanchezBench
INF-OF
Emilio BonifacioINF
Wes HelmsC
Ronny PaulinoINF
Mike LambINF
Brian BardenRotation
Josh JohnsonRicky NolascoAnibal SanchezNate RobertsonChris VolstadBullpen
Leo Nunez (closer)
Dan MeyerRenyel PintoBrian SanchesBurke BadenhopJose VerasClay HensleySanchez pretty clearly won the first-base job over
Logan Morrison, but I wouldn't be surprised if Morrison earns himself an opportunity in June. He's the superior talent, both offensively and defensively. ...
Nate Robertson's addition alters a rotation that appeared set to include both Volstad and Hensley. Now it looks like Hensley will go to the pen initially. Hensley was one of the big surprises of the spring. He posted a 3.71 ERA in 187 innings for the Padres in 2006, but he had done nothing since. Still, with the way he's thrown of late, he's something of a sleeper in NL-only leagues. I'd be more optimistic if the Marlins had a decent defensive infield behind him. …
Rick VandenHurk,
Tim Wood and
Seth McClung were competing for one bullpen spot before the Robertson pickup.
HoustonLineup
CF
Michael Bourn2B
Kaz MatsuiRF
Hunter PenceLF
Carlos Lee1B
Geoff Blum3B
Pedro FelizC
J.R. TowlesSS
Tommy ManzellaBench
INF
Jeff KeppingerOF
Jason MichaelsC
Humberto QuinteroINF
Chris JohnsonOF
Cory SullivanRotation
Roy OswaltWandy RodriguezBrett MyersBud NorrisFelipe PaulinoBullpen
Matt Lindstrom (closer)
Brandon Lyon
Sammy Gervacio
Tim ByrdakJeff FulchinoBrian MoehlerChris SampsonDL
1B
Lance BerkmanRP
Alberto AriasBerkman to the DL isn't yet a given, but it seems the most likely scenario.
Chris Shelton is the best option to replace him at first, but he was cut Tuesday anyway. Johnson could make the team instead, though it'd likely be a temporary arrangement. … Paulino has stepped up during the second half of the spring, and it seems like a given that he'll take the fifth spot over Moehler. Obviously, he's the one of the two interesting from a fantasy standpoint. … I'm going with Lindstrom as the closer. He's always made the most sense; Lyon is a better pitcher, but he's the one of the two you want entering a game with men on base and potentially pitching multiple innings. The Astros will probably have an announcement later this week.
Los AngelesLineup
SS
Rafael FurcalCF
Matt KempRF
Andre EthierLF
Manny Ramirez1B
James Loney3B
Casey BlakeC
Russell Martin2B
Blake DeWittBench
OF
Reed JohnsonINF
Jamey CarrollINF
Ronnie BelliardC
Brad AusmusOF
Garret AndersonINF
Nick GreenRotation
Vicente PadillaClayton KershawChad BillingsleyHiroki KurodaCharlie HaegerBullpen
Jonathan Broxton (closer)
George SherrillRamon TroncosoRamon OrtizJeff WeaverCarlos MonasteriosDL
RP
Hong-Chih KuoRP Ronald Belisario
RP
Cory WadeMartin remains a candidate for the disabled list. If he can't get enough at-bats prior to Opening Day, then
A.J. Ellis will make the team and spend week one as the starting catcher. … The Dodgers are leaning towards going with 11 pitchers, even though that's going to cost them left-hander
Eric Stults. It'd probably only be for a couple of weeks, since Belisario, who will be on the restricted list after reporting late to camp, should be ready at some point during mid- to late April. … I was thinking Ortiz would be the fifth starter, but MLB.com's Ken Gurnick believes
he'll be in the pen and that the knuckleballer Haeger will take the final rotation spot.
MilwaukeeLineup
2B
Rickie WeeksSS
Alcides EscobarLF
Ryan Braun1B
Prince Fielder3B
Casey McGeheeRF
Corey HartC
Gregg ZaunCF
Carlos GomezBench
INF
Craig CounsellOF
Jim EdmondsOF
Jody GerutC
George KottarasINF
Joe InglettRotation
Yovani GallardoRandy WolfDoug DavisDave BushManny ParraBullpen
Trevor Hoffman (closer)
LaTroy HawkinsTodd CoffeyClaudio VargasMitch StetterChris NarvesonCarlos VillanuevaDL
SP
Jeff SuppanThe Brewers are still unsettled as far as the lineup and the rotation, though the "neck injury" manufactured for Suppan will help clear up the latter problem. The Brewers could have just gone ahead and released the veteran, but now he'll start off on the DL. That means either Parra or Narveson will be the fifth starter, with the other in the bullpen. And it should mean that Villanueva will stick. There was talk that he might be optioned to Triple-A to begin the year. … I think I'd like the lineup better with Edmonds playing right field and batting second against righties. The initial plan was for McGehee to hit second, but that'd leave the team with too little production behind Fielder. Now it looks like Escobar or Gomez will bat second, with McGehee in the fifth spot.
New YorkLineup
CF
Angel Pagan2B
Luis Castillo3B
David WrightLF
Jason Bay1B
Daniel MurphyRF
Jeff FrancoeurC
Rod BarajasSS
Alex CoraBench
INF
Fernando TatisOF
Gary Matthews Jr.C
Henry Blanco1B-OF
Chris CarterINF
Russ AdamsRotation
Johan SantanaJohn MaineMike PelfreyOliver PerezJon NieseBullpen
Francisco Rodriguez (closer)
Pedro FelicianoRyota IgarashiJenrry MejiaFernando NieveNelson FigueroaHisanori TakahashiDL
SS
Jose ReyesOF
Carlos BeltranRP
Kelvim EscobarReyes is still a possibility for the Opening Day roster, but I'm guessing he'll spend five days on the DL to start the year. Cora would fill in. I'd rather have
Ruben Tejada in that spot, but it doesn't make much sense to add him to the 40-man if Reyes continues to progress. If Reyes has a setback this week, then Tejada over Adams is an obvious choice. … Once Reyes returns, he should hit third, with everyone else moving down a spot. … The rotation appears to be set, even though pretty much everyone has been shaky this spring. Perhaps the Mets should have been in on
Nate Robertson. … I'm not sure about this bullpen, but this is the way Adam Rubin
thinks it will shake out.
Bobby Parnell,
Sean Green and
Kiko Calero would be among the last cuts.
PhiladelphiaLineup
SS
Jimmy Rollins3B
Placido Polanco2B
Chase Utley1B
Ryan HowardRF
Jayson WerthLF
Raul IbanezCF
Shane VictorinoC
Carlos RuizBench
OF
Ben Francisco1B-OF
Ross GloadINF
Greg DobbsC
Brian SchneiderINF
Juan CastroRotation
Roy HalladayCole HamelsJoe BlantonJ.A. HappJamie MoyerBullpen
Ryan Madson (closer)
Danys BaezChad DurbinJose ContrerasKyle KendrickDavid HerndonAntonio BastardoDL
RP
Brad LidgeRP
J.C. RomeroThe offense has been completely set for months, and the Phillies finalized their rotation Tuesday by making Moyer the fifth starter and shifting Kendrick to the pen. It's the relief corps that is the team's main concern at the moment. Lidge and Romero both hope to return about a week into the season, but that's still in some doubt. Madson will likely close initially, with Baez serving as a setup man. Bastardo has struggled, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Phillies claim a lefty off waivers prior to Opening Day.
PittsburghLineup
2B
Akinori IwamuraCF
Andrew McCutchenRF
Garrett JonesC
Ryan DoumitLF
Lastings Milledge1B
Jeff Clement3B
Andy LaRochePitcher
SS
Ronny CedenoBench
OF
Ryan ChurchINF
Bobby CrosbyC
Jason JaramilloOF
Delwyn YoungOF
John RaynorRotation
Zach DukeRoss OhlendorfPaul MaholmCharlie MortonDaniel McCutchenBullpen
Octavio Dotel (closer)
Brendan DonnellyEvan MeekJavier LopezD.J. CarrascoJack TaschnerHayden PennDL
RP
Joel HanrahanRP
Jose AscanioIt seems to be that if the Pirates really wanted to bat the pitcher eighth, it'd make a lot more sense to go with LaRoche in the ninth spot. Cedeno wasn't all that bad after joining Pittsburgh last year, but he has a career .280 OBP. He's not going to be getting on base for McCutchen with any regularity. … With
Brandon Moss out of the mix, it looks like Raynor, a Rule 5 pick from the Marlins, will make the squad. The Pirates could keep
Ramon Vazquez instead, but they'd much prefer to trade him. Steve Pearce is the other alternative.
St. LouisLineup
2B
Skip SchumakerSS
Brendan Ryan1B
Albert PujolsLF
Matt HollidayRF
Ryan LudwickCF
Colby RasmusC
Yadier Molina3B
David FreeseBench
INF
Felipe LopezINF
Julio LugoC
Jason LaRueOF
Allen CraigOF
Nick StavinohaRotation
Chris CarpenterAdam WainwrightBrad PennyKyle LohseJaime GarciaBullpen
Ryan Franklin (closer)
Jason MotteKyle McClellanDennys ReyesTrever MillerBlake HawksworthMitchell BoggsWith Rasmus showing ample plate discipline this spring after lacking in that area as a rookie, I'd like to see him hit second against righties. However, it looks like Ryan will fill that spot most of the time initially. Of course, we all know Tony La Russa likes to toy with his lineups as much as any manager in the game. … The last two spots on the St. Louis bench remain up for the grabs, and a late acquisition could be a possibility. Ideally, the team would find a right-handed-hitting backup center fielder to complement Rasmus. Both Craig and Stavinoha are limited to the corners.
San DiegoLineup
CF
Tony Gwynn Jr.2B
David EcksteinRF
Will Venable1B
Adrian GonzalezLF
Kyle Blanks3B
Chase HeadleyC
Nick HundleySS
Everth CabreraBench
OF
Scott HairstonINF
Jerry Hairston Jr.C Yorvit Torrealba
INF-OF
Oscar Salazar1B-OF
Matt StairsRotation
Jon GarlandChris YoungKevin CorreiaClayton RichardMat LatosBullpen
Heath Bell (closer)
Mike AdamsLuke GregersonEdward MujicaTim StaufferSean GallagherAdam RussellDL
Joe ThatcherIt's so odd that a team that's set to rank dead last in payroll among the 30 teams will have one of the game's best benches and bullpens. Of course, if it were my team, I'd probably have both Hairstons starting and the bench wouldn't look nearly so impressive in that case. … The Padres are expected to go with potential over experience and make Latos their fifth starter, even though both Stauffer and Gallagher have impressed this spring. Those two are out of options, so they'll be in the pen. A trade involving Stauffer might be a possibility, but I doubt the Padres would just give him away. … Russell would seem to be the most likely candidate to replace Thatcher, who figures to miss the first week or two with a shoulder problem.
San FranciscoLineup
CF
Aaron RowandSS
Edgar Renteria3B
Pablo Sandoval1B
Aubrey HuffLF
Mark DeRosaC
Bengie Molina2B
Juan UribeRF
Nate SchierholtzBench
1B-OF
John BowkerOF
Andres Torres2B-OF
Eugenio VelezC
Eli Whiteside1B
Travis IshikawaRotation
Tim LincecumBarry ZitoMatt CainJonathan SanchezTodd WellemeyerBullpen
Brian Wilson (closer)
Jeremy AffeldtSergio RomoGuillermo MotaDan RunzlerBrandon MeddersKevin PucetasDL
2B
Freddy SanchezOF
Fred LewisINF
Emmanuel BurrissBowker, who was initially ruled out as a regular after Huff was signed, has played his way into the right-field mix, but the Giants would give up a lot of defense if they used him there over Schierholtz. The two could split time initially. Bowker hasn't looked too bad in the outfield this spring, but AT&T Park has one of the game's most difficult right fields. … The Giants still might surprise and carry
Buster Posey as a part-timer, but I don't think it's likely at all. Unless they let him start over Molina about half the time, they'd be holding him back by keeping him in the majors.
WashingtonLineup
CF
Nyjer MorganRF
Willie Harris3B
Ryan Zimmerman1B
Adam DunnLF
Josh WillinghamSS
Ian DesmondC
Ivan Rodriguez2B
Adam KennedyBench
INF
Cristian GuzmanINF-OF
Mike MorseC
Wil NievesOF Roger Bernadina
INF
Alberto GonzalezRotation
John LannanJason MarquisCraig StammenGarrett MockLivan HernandezBullpen
Matt Capps (closer)
Brian BruneyTyler ClippardSean BurnettJason BergmannMiguel BatistaJesse EnglishDL
C
Jesus FloresSaving the best for last, of course. … The lineup is only a guess at the Opening Day arrangement. I assume Desmond will hit second most of the time, but Harris is expected to play against
Roy Halladay. Morse, Bernadina and
Willy Taveras are also in the mix for playing time in right field. Morse looks like the best early-season sleeper of the group, but Harris should provide a little value in NL-only leagues all season long. … The rotation is a bit more certain, though Mock's poor outing Tuesday couldn't have added to the team's confidence in him. The Nats could yet grab a starter and push either Stammen or Mock to the bullpen. English would likely lose his spot in that event.