RADIO
I made it out to Dodgers camp today to check out their position players for the first time. After training all week, the Dodger pitchers had an off-day, so all eyes were on Yasiel Puig and his shoulder injury, along with other big bats Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp.
I want to write a bit about the Dodgers' second base and bench situation, though. While it appears that rookie Alexander Guerrero is the favorite to start at the keystone, he is converting from shortstop and will likely have to show that he can provide adequate defense at second before he'll see full-time duty. The Dodgers brought in utility types like Justin Turner and Chone Figgins to serve in bench roles, while shortstop Dee Gordon is also seeing time at second base and outfield, making the conversion to a utility man.
In terms of fantasy, this means that Guerrero remains a low-end play on your fantasy rosters, at best. In the few auctions I've done already this preseason, he's been a $1 flyer or maybe a $2-$4 bid for those with more confidence in him. To me, he's a risky play in 2014 fantasy baseball because the Dodgers employ so many players who can eat into his playing time.
While Guerrero likely has the best bat at the position, the Dodgers' lineup is loaded with hitters, so manager Don Mattingly might opt to get a better glove in there more often than not. In my opinion, there are better late-round picks or $1 bids to be spent at the 2B position.
For more notes and analysis on spring training in the Cactus League, check out all of Scott Slezak's dispatches
