Ramon Vazquez

Vazquez picked a good year to have a few extra singles fall in for hits, somehow earning a two-year contract from the Pirates this offseason. As a utility player, he's able to handle shortstop, second and third; despite his versatility and the lack of a true utility infield option in-house, Texas was uninterested in bringing him back. If Andy LaRoche starts slowly, he could get a lot of time at third base for the Pirates.

Vazquez used an injury to Hank Blalock to get more playing time than expected but he still didn't hit. Texas brought him back, signing him to a one-year contract, and he'll presumably be the primary utility infielder in 2008.

It seems a long time ago that Vazquez was getting more than 420 at-bats in San Diego doesn't it? Back then he was someone you could roster, but not now. He's a prime candidate to end up in the minors in 2007.

Vazquez has hit his way out of the everyday lineup but has played his way into a role as a utility infielder with the Tribe. His struggles against lefties and his average glove limits his usefulness, but he has shown a good eye at the plate and can play every infield position to some degree. Used correctly (read sparingly), he can be a nice asset.

The youngish middle infielder went from starter to minor leaguer in 2004 and was traded to Boston in the offseason as part of the deal that brought Dave Roberts to San Diego. The former Mariners prospect is a decent player but has struggled against left-handed pitching. He will be Boston's primary backup at second base and shortstop.

With Mark Loretta now signed for two years and the emergence of top prospect Khalil Greene, Vazquez looks to be out of a regular job in the upcoming season. His best position is second base, but he played a solid game at shortstop in 2003, and probably deserved a better fate. Not a true power-type, he posted an excellent .361 on-base percentage against right-handers but his Achilles heel, southpaws, contributed heavily to his failure at the plate as they ate him up. He posted a .224 batting average in 116 at-bats against lefties and is a poster boy for the platoon philosophy. He can play three all infield positions with sure hands and decent range, and the Padres will likely keep him around to cover for injuries, and the uncertainty of youth at shortstop and third base.

Vazquez split time at SS and 2B last season before unleashing his bat -- and winning a starting job in the process -- in the second half, hitting .304 over the final four months of the season. Excellent defensive middle infielder whose bat is starting to help the Padres and fantasy teams.