Training Camp: Vancouver Iron Fist

The final Training Camp post brings us to the defending champions. Can they repeat? The road will be very difficult for the Fist.

Positional battles: Adam Jones, Chase Headley and Adam Lind have been battling it out for the final outfield spot. We may see some sort of platoon and Jones will like slot in as a late inning defensive replacement when he's not in the lineup. Otherwise, manager Darren Daulton says he will just stick with the hot hand.

Hiroki Kuroda had a rotation slot practically given to him, but his pre-season meltdown has opened the door for Paul Maholm and Greg Maddux to overtake him. Vancouver is planning on platooning the two. Of course the last time a team platooned two rotation members was Marietta's disastrous Brett Tomko/Mark Hendrickson debacle from a few years back.

Pre-season surprises/disappointments: We already mentioned Maholm (1-0, 2.45) and Maddux (3-1, 4.30), but it has not been a good spring for Vancouver's pitching staff. Zack Greinke in particular was hot and cold (1-2, 5.64) and most of the bullpen was roughed up.

Victor Martinez looks to be back in form after suffering an off-season injury (.385/.444/.487). Omar Infante earned a utility role and maybe more with his excellent hitting (.364/.375/.571). Infante tied with Kevin Kouzmanoff for the team lead in RBIs (12). Adam Lind (.339/.371/.475) was the most productive of the young outfield trio. Adam Jones (.203/.211/.362) was the worst.
Roster outlook: Vancouver has made most of their cuts and has 2 more to go. Look for one of their relievers to get cut and one of their young third basemen - either Kouzmanoff or Pedro Alvarez.