Training Camp: Stamford New Jersey Team Buddah

Team Buddah threatened to move to Connecticut, but they ended up being scared off by a chimp. Despite the, ahem, monkey business, the Buddahs will try again to build toward a competitive team.

Positional battles: Ummm, none really. Most positions seem to be pretty set at the moment, with maybe catchers Chris Snyder and Jason Varitek platooning. Otherwise, there have been zero battles in training camp.

Pre-season surprises/disappointments: Team Buddah got off to a great start in the pre-season and ended up with a 16-10 record. Kevin Slowey has been no small part of that. Slowey ended up 4-1 with a 4.01 ERA. Jamie Moyer (1-2, 8.14) has been the only disappointing member of the rotation.

Elijah Dukes has had an exceptional spring - .280/.372/.561 with 6 homers and 18 RBIs. Mike Jacobs led the team in home runs (7) and RBIs (21) but his average (.239) and on-base percentage (.261) leave much to be desired. Chris Snyder, despite getting most of the time behind the plate has been terrible with the stick (.150/.271/.333).

Roster outlook: The Buddahs only have two cuts to make and have already put several players up on the trading block. They have four ineligibles, but the team is in rebuilding mode, so there's a chance that they could be kept if no trades are made. However, keeping all four forces the Buddahs to dump a possibly superior option.

Training Camp: Arkansas Golden Falcons

Oops, looks like I skipped the Falcons earlier on, so let's go back and see what this franchise is up to this year. The Falcons missed the playoffs last year, but look like a good bet to return this year.

Positional battles: The Falcons have a whopping 11 starters in camp this spring. Johan Santana and Cliff Lee are locks to win jobs and first round pick Ricky Nolasco will probably take the third. After that, it's wide open. Jair Jurrjens has a jump on the position with his brilliant spring (3-0, 0.42 in 3 starts). Andy Sonnanstine was protected by the team, so he might have a heads up on the others as well.

Ivan Rodriguez and Yadier Molina have split time behind the plate and it looks like that might be the way the Falcons will go when the season opens. Infield positions seem pretty set, with the Lance Berkman/Justin Morneau loser at first base moving to DH. Jermaine Dye and Ryan Ludwick will probably take two of the three outfield slots, with Skip Schumaker and Rick Ankiel battling it out over the final one.

Pre-season surprises/disappointments: Schumaker has made his best case to take the starting job, hitting a team-high .371, with a .405 OBP and .571 slugging. Lance Berkman is leading the team in homers (7) and runs scored (21). David Wright leads in RBIs (20) and has a .999 OPS. The only really disappointing hitter is projected starting shortstop J. J. Hardy, who is hitting .229/.244/.325.

Other than Jurrjens, Joakim Soria (1.29, 7 saves) and Brad Lidge (2-0, 2.25), the pitching has been pretty shaky. First round pick Nolasco, in particular, has struggled (1-1, 7.50 in 2 starts).

Roster outlook: The Falcons have 33 players on the roster and only one ineligible - who they already announced will be cut. That leaves 2 more players. But the Falcons aren't done playing with the waiver wire just yet. Obviously several of the starters will be cut before Opening Day, but it's hard to project without knowing how many more claims the Falcons will make.

Training Camp: Matthew's Mighty Men of Marietta

The Mighty Men are making a big push this year to go from the cellar to the top of the Hanover Division.

Positional battles: Kurt Suzuki has played most of the time in the pre-season, but Geovany Soto will most likely take more of a full-time role once the season begins. Other lineup positions are pretty well set, with only some minor competition for backup roles. Marietta is not often a team that relies heavily on platoons, but there are a few likely candidates in the lineup for one.

With eight starters on the roster, Marietta has a very deep staff. You can write off Brad Penny immediately and Aaron Harang, despite a solid spring, may be relegated to spot starting. One more starter will be benched - it could be lefty Francisco Liriano, returning after a year lost to injury. Liriano and Harang are the only starters who have pitched in the pre-season that have not been cut, so that might be a bad sign.

Pre-season surprises/disappointments: The Mighty Men have not started any of their projected starting staff in the preseason, so it's hard to criticize the statlines of the Micah Owings and Brian Bannisters. Nick Punto has done his best to earn a bigger role, hitting .349/.383/.512 and it's very well known that owner David Landsman has a softspot in his heart for the scrappy Punto. Of the starters with significant at bats, Derek Jeter (.225/.314/.337) and Jason Bay (.208/.314/.337) have been disappointing.

Roster outlook: Well, it looks like this post came one day too late as Marietta made a bundle of cuts yesterday. Shortstop Cristian Guzman and reliever Carlos Villanueva have already drawn interest, but the rest may have to wait a while before finding another roster spot in the DMBL. Marietta is still one man over the limit. With only two ineligibles, it will probably be a qualifying players. Penny is a possible candidate.

Training Camp:Las Vegas Rat Pack

The Rat Pack took a major step last year toward reclaiming their ancient Austin Outlaws legacy, winning over 100 games and coming one game away from the DMBL World Series.
Positional battles: Most of the roles seem settled, with many players falling into platoons. Carlos Pena and Richie Sexson have shared time at first base, Jeff Keppinger and Yunel Escobar at shortstop, and Chris Davis and Alex Gordon at third. Vlad Guerrero and Ichiro Suzuki have also shared time in the pre-season, but will likely take full-time roles once the season starts.
Pre-season surprises/disappointments: Young Alex Gordon looks ready to step up and take a major role in the team. Gordon is hitting a solid .326/.392/.630 so far with 11 RBIs. Matt Holliday is on a tear, leading the team with 19 RBIs and hitting .372/.444/.535. The most disappointing players in the lineup are Joe Mauer (.200/.265/.317) and Guerrero (.183/.219/.317). Mauer says that he's been distracted by talks of moving him to second base or shortstop.

Josh Beckett (2-0, 2.05) looks ready to shake off his past failures and contribute this year and Rich Harden (1-2, 2.84) is hoping to stay healthy for a full year for the first time since 2006. Tim Lincecum has struggled early on (2-2, 6.75), but the club is not worried about their potential ace.

Roster outlook: Vegas, as usual, has a full reserve of ineligible prospects, but they're likely to keep them on Opening Day. They only have two players to cut so there shouldn't be much drama this week. Look for a utilty player - Richie Sexson and Rich Aurilia shouldn't get too comfy - and perhaps a reliever to go.

Training Camp: Hoboken Cutters

Hoboken was certainly the busiest team on draft day, making several pick-related deals to gear up for 2010. Clearly the 2009 season is viewed as a rebuilding year for the franchise.

Positional battles: Nick Blackburn has had a solid spring and seems like a lock to take the fourth rotation slot, with Greg Smith the likely winner of the fifth. Rookie Clayton Kershaw has had a disastrous spring thus far, though it's only been one start.

Things look pretty rough at the hot corner as Joe Crede and Hank Blalock have shared most of the time there, but Crede has struggled mightily, while Blalock has been solid.

There are a lot of outfielders in camp and none of the three positions are a given. Marlon Byrd has gotten a lot of time in the field, but has been terrible (.217, .649 OPS). Denard Span has been excellent and may be the way to go for a youth movement. Chris Duncan has been mediocre and limited to DH, a position that Adam Dunn will likely dominate. Others have been mediocre or worse, leaving this field wide open.

Pre-season surprises/disappointments: Ryan Church may have earned himself a big role in the poor outfield with his spring (.388/.467/.633). Catcher Mike Napoli is second on the team with 14 RBIs and leads the team with 5 homers. Hanley Ramirez looks ready for the season (.307/.390/.500, 4 HR, 13 R, 10 RBI). Adam Dunn has been brutal in the early going (.130/.333/.304) as has the aforementioned Joe Crede (3-38).

Takashi Saito seems to have the closer role sewn up (2.25 ERA, 10 saves in 10 games). The rest of the pen has been hit (Brian Tallet - 1.50 in 12 games) or miss (Ryan Madsen - 0-1, 6.91 in 13 games). Aaron Cook has been the ace of the pre-season with a 2-0 record and 2.38 ERA in 4 starts.
Roster outlook: The Cutters have already made some cuts, but remain 5 playes over the limit. They have five ineligibles, four of which are pitchers, so there's a possibility that a couple of them will be cut. In addition look for some veteran outfielders to be culled after the roles become clearer.

Training Camp: Hillsborough Hired Hitmen

It's double-dose Friday. Hey I've gotta finish these before the season starts, right? And with only 12 more games left on the pre-season schedule, that means we have about a week until Opening Day!

Hillsborough made great strides and finally made it over the hump and into the playoffs last year. This team looks about as strong as last year's, so they should at least be contenders for a playoff spot this year.

Positional battles: Russell Martin and Kelly Shoppach have been battling over the starting catcher job, with newcomer Shoppach taking an early edge over incumbent Martin. Though Shoppach's .250/.286/.469 line doesn't inspire a lot of awe, it is light years ahead of Martin's awful .179/.319/.205. Shoppach's absolutely destroyed lefties in spring training, but he's been just as bad as Martin against righties.

How about the battle royale for the third base job? Aubrey Huff was protected by the Hitmen, but they went ahead and drafted three more third base-eligible players. Veteran Mike Lowell and journeyman Ty Wigginton will provide a lot of competition for Huff. So far in the preseason, Huff has played the most at the hot corner, doubling the combined games of the other two contenders. Wigginton has an advantage in that he can also play in the outfield. We did say three more, right? In case you were wondering, Ron Belliard is eligible to play third, but is more likely to play second for the Hitmen.

Pre-season surprises/disappointments: Huff has taken the challenge to heart and has been ripping the ball so far (.400/.492/.800). First-round pick Shin-Soo Choo has claimed a starting spot with his fast start (.325/.460/.550). The rest of the outfield is also on a tear - Nick Markakis (.322/.446/.559) and Carlos Lee (.322/.355/.661) seem ready for the season to start. Ryan Howard is the weak link right now, outside of the catching platoon. The slugger is off to a poor .227 start, but has 3 homers and 8 RBIs in his 14 games.

Everyone is still waiting for young Felix Hernandez to step up and fulfill his potential, but things aren't looking so hot right now for him. King Felix is off to an 0-1, 16.20 start in his 2 games and has been sent back to AAA Motown for some instruction. Justin Verlander is ready to take his place, however. Verlander, who seemed like he could lose his rotation spot, has been brilliant in 2 spring starts, giving up only 3 runs in 15.1 innings for a 1.76 ERA.

Roster outlook: Finally a team with an interesting roster. The Hitmen have a near-maximum 38 players on the roster, which will leave 8 looking for jobs come opening day. The Hitmen have 5 ineligibles, some of which will likely be gone. Max Scherzer, a protected ineligible, seems to be the only one assured of staying with the team. The club has 10 relievers, plus swingman Seth McClung on the roster. At least 3 of them, and maybe 4 will likely be sent packing. On the offensive side, Mike Lowell and Juan Pierre shouldn't start shopping for homes in Jersey just yet.

Training Camp: D.C. O-Bombers

The O-Bombers come in with a philosophy of change - no more mediocrity. The new-look Bushslappers felt that the previous moniker was too negative and will now focus on something more positive, like bombs.
Positional battles: The fifth starter battle boils down to Ryan Rowland-Smith and Oliver Perez. Rowland-Smith can also pitch out of the bullpen, so the club may be cautious with the rookie and let Perez start out in the rotation and bring the Australian out when he inevitably falters.

Although Derrek Lee is the favorite at first base, he has a bit of competition in camp this year. Veteran Todd Helton will give him a good run and Casey Kotchman could also challenge Lee. Meanwhile, at second base, the club made a draft day deal in order to acquire Howie Kendrick in the draft, so you know he will have every chance to win the job from Dan Uggla. Carlos Beltran and Matt Kemp should have starting jobs in the outfield, with Hideki Matsui possibly playing some DH along with the loser of the first base battle. Look for rookies Jay Bruce and Lastings Milledge to also get some at bats, possibly in platoon roles.

Pre-season surprises/disappointments: The team has gotten off to a great start offensively, with most of the projected lineup hitting well. The team is led by catcher Brian McCann (.397/.438/.534). Lee has gotten a big jump on winning the first base job with a .377 average and 1.045 OPS. Lee also leads the team with 12 RBIs. Jose Reyes has surprised with his hot hitting - leading the team in runs scored (12) and second in RBIs (10).

The pitching staff has been pretty bad so far in spring, including two projected starters - Erik Bedard (0-2, 8.36) and Chris Young (0-3, 12.12). Half the bullpen has been lights out - closer Jonathan Papelbon, in particular, has a 2.12 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 10 games - while the other half has been roughed up.
Roster outlook: The O-Bombers are carrying only one extra player in the pre-season, including five ineligibles. Chris Ray seems to be the most likely candidate to be cut at this point, but the team could make a surprise cut (or acquisition) yet.