From the chase for the final spot in the Toronto Blue Jays rotation to the free-for-all for playing time in the Los Angeles Dodgers outfield, MLB spring training 2016 is awash with position battles that will have serious October implications.
In order to determine which derbies have the most at stake, we took two key factors into consideration.
First we zeroed in on clubs that are set up to contend in 2016 either because they turned in an impressive offseason or because their core was already in place. Then we focused on the areas where those teams struggled in 2015 and considered which position battles would play the most important role in addressing those weaknesses.
In addition to exploring the fight for the No. 5 spot in Toronto, there’s also room on the list for a breakdown of the pursuit for the final berth in one rotation that has been drastically upgraded this winter.