Pete LaForest

While LaForest rebounded at Triple-A last year, the Devil Rays finally cut him loose in the offseason after another unimpressive trial in the bigs. The Padres claimed him off waivers this winter, and even if he makes the club as the backup catcher, his new home park will hurt his fantasy potential.

LaForest is still Tampa Bay's catcher of the future, but that seems more a designation by default this year. He didn't impress that much at Triple-A in 2004 and despite his show of pop at the Olympics for Team Canada, the Rays didn't call him up in September. With Toby Hall and now Kevin Cash ahead of him, don't expect much majors exposure in 2005 either.

After getting a late start due to visa troubles in his native Canada, LaForest eventually hit a ton at Triple-A and the Arizona Fall League (not to mention three homers in five games to help Canada nail down an Olympic berth in November). If he can show he can handle the position defensively in the spring, he'll likely get platoon duty behind the plate for the Rays as well as the occasional start at DH.

With both John Flaherty and Paul Hoover leaving the Devil Rays organization since the season ended, LaForest now becomes a candidate to make the Rays' major league opening day roster as the backup catcher to Toby Hall. In 123 games split between Double-A and Triple-A in 2002, LaForest hit .268 with 23 home runs. He could probably use another year at Triple-A, but unless the Rays pick up a backup catcher elsewhere, LaForest might get some major-league time next season if he looks good in camp. He hits lefty, so he'd be a nice platoon sub to have for the right-handed-hitting Hall.