Today marks the beginning of my "Almost Daily" MLB Notes. I'll do my best to update this daily, but I'll have to see how time allows. I expect this to be a compendium of news, links to interesting stories, and my own views on which players are worth a look. Here goes: American League Looks like the Detroit Tigers are going to platoon their leadoff hitters this season. Centerfielder Curtis Granderson gets the nod against righthanded pitchers, while catcher Ivan Rodriguez will leadoff against lefties. This makes sense since Granderson was absolutely dreadfull against lefties last year (.218), while Rodriguez hammered lefties (.340). Oddly enough they were comparable in the SB dept last year, as both had just 8 steals. Granderson should improve on that, while it's doubtful that Rodriguez will. Even so, "Pudge" should be good for a handful of SB's, maybe 7 or 8. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are realigning the top of their order, putting Rocco Baldelli at leadoff, followed by Carl Crawford, then Delmon Young. This puts all their speed at the top and puts Young and cleanup hitter Greg Norton in line for some decent production. Baldelli should be good for a 20/20 season, while Crawford should do something like 15/35-40. Look for Young to nail 100+ RBI's if he can show a little more patience at the plate. Last year he swung at something like 68% of the pitches he saw, so he needs to cut down his freeswinging ways before pitchers figure out that they need not throw him strikes. National League After thumbing through the Baseball Prospetus 2007 Edition, and reading various and sundry projections, here are a few NL players that are high on my draft lists this spring: Michael Barrett - (C, Chi) He's going to break the 20 HR ceiling this year and hit .300 while he's at it. Adam LaRoche - (1B, Pitt) Playing every day will net him 40 HR's to go with a .300 avg if he can figure out how to hit lefties (.241 last year). Ray Durham - (2B, SF) He should post similar numbers to last year if he hits behind Bonds again. Carlos Quentin - (RF, AZ) He's going to play every day. 25+ HR and a .290 avg easy, maybe more. James Loney - (1B, LA) If the Dodgers go through with moving Nomah to 3rd base, Loney becomes the everyday 1B. Can you say Rookie of the Year? Kelly Johnson - (2B, Atl) He's got double digit steal potential, good patience at the plate, and emerging power. OK, that's it for today. Shake it easy! | 
