Gabe Gross

Gross signed with Oakland where he'll likely be used in a fourth outfielder role and as a left-handed pinch hitter.

The Rays acquired Gross from Milwaukee in April; he quickly became the right-field starter versus righties, and by August, was playing nearly every day (hitting .267 with an .813 OPS after Aug. 1). His defense in right field certainly helped the AL champs. However, with the Rays acquiring Matt Joyce from Detroit over the winter, Gross likely starts spring training as no better than the fourth outfielder.

Gross was sent down to Triple-A Nashville after a disappointing start to the season. He responded by returning and having a big August before fading in September. His role with the Brewers likely won't change from the bench player he's been the past two seasons.

Gross played well coming off of the bench for the Brewers in 2006, hitting .294 with nine home runs in 208 at-bats. The problem is he has a tough time hitting left-handed pitchers, to the extent that he's best suited for a platoon role. The Brewers would like to find an everyday player for center field, but they may end up using Gross in a platoon with another player.

Gross forced his way onto the Opening Day roster with a monster spring, but failed to find regular playing time in April and spent the rest of the year shuttling back and forth between a bench role and the minors. His power dried up, which may explain an offseason trade to Milwaukee for Lyle Overbay. He'll be a decent fourth outfielder, able to draw walks and steal the occasional base, but doesn't have the pop to be a regular corner outfielder.

Gross is expected to start 2005 at Triple-A Syracuse after he struggled (.209/.311/.310) upon his initial exposure to big league pitching. His season at Syracuse (.294/.381/.454) showed some promise, but he'll be 25 in 2005 and needs to cut down on the strikeouts and bump up the power if he ever wants to live up to the expectations of a first-round pick.

Gross is a walk machine, which fits in well with the Toronto philosophy. His K:BB ratio fell apart a bit following a promotion to Triple-A, and doesn't figure to hit for power of a typical corner outfielder. There's a spot in the outfield available by mid-2004 if Reed Johnson or Jayson Werth struggle.

Will start the year at Triple-A and has to be given credit for not getting buried mentally after a horrible start at Double-A. Showed signs in the Arizona Fall League, and throughout his struggles, continues to draw walks. Needs to show something first at Triple-A, though.