Atlanta Braves: Marucs Giles
NY Mets: Kaz Matsui
Wash. Nats: Jose Vidro
Phillies: Chase Utley
Marlins: Pokey Reese

Cardinals: Junior Spivey
Cubs: Todd Walker
Astros: Craig Biggio
Pirates: Jose Castillo
Brewers: Richie Weeks
Reds: Ryan Freel

Giants: Ray Durham
Rockies: Luis Gonzalez
Dodgers: Jeff Kent
Padres: Mark Bellhorn
Diamondbacks: Orlando Hudson

Making decision on who is the nominal starter was tough because I believe that label may not apply by the end of the Spring or the end of April. The Mets signed Brett Boone and have Anderson Hernandez and Jeff Keppinger at AAA, all of whom could do better than Kaz Matsui. I can’t see any of them breaking the $10 mark, but Hernandez’s 35 SB between AA and AAA may be too hard to ignore for a $1 or $2.

The Nationals have a problem with $23 million man Jose Vidro and $10-$12 million dollar man Alphonso Soriano playing the same position with no DH. In the meantime, The Nationals continue to sign/pursue outfielders. Did I miss something on Vidro?

The Marlins are going to parade Pokey Reese out at 2B. He’s good for some SB but any chances of partying like it is 1999 are none or less than none. He’ll likely kill your AVG. The play right now is Dan Uggla. He is a sleeper, but he will be a well-known one by the end of the spring. He may take the same route Ryan Langerhans did last Spring. And, as the unlucky recipient of Langerhans last year, I advise saving the extra bucks for the next sleeper on your list.

The Cubs have a nightmare on their hands at 2B. Todd Walker is the best hitter. Jerry Hairston has the most athleticism and Neifi Perez is a Dusty Baker addiction. A trade of Perez would be great. Then Dusty would send a helpful Roto player out there every day. Watch Hairston as reports say he played with the injured ankle last season. With OF and 2B eligibility, he is a good source of cheap speed and a return to 2004 levels would bring a good AVG too.

I have Mark Bellhorn listed as the starter in San Diego but really want Josh Barfield to win the job. The XM Radio Fantasy Focus discussion on the Padres has me considering Bochy sitting Barfield in favor of the veteran. But if Bruce Bochy cannot see the strikeouts from the 8th spot as detrimental, (and I have my doubts if he really does bat Castilla 5th and Cameron 6th), then the Padres are going to have a difficult time scoring runs. After Piazza gets to first, he has almost no chance of scoring without two hits. Castilla, Cameron, Bellhorn and the pitcher spells trouble.