Abraham Almonte

Almonte played in just 67 games for the Indians last season due to an 80-game PED suspension that rendered him ineligible for the playoffs. He has 222 career minor league steals, so there is some hope that he can steal more bases going forward if given more playing time, which is the big question. Almonte has never hit better than .265 in his four-year MLB career, and hasn't shown much patience either, walking just eight times last season while striking out 42 times. The Indians considered Almonte a starting outfielder prior to news of his suspension last offseason, but it's unclear how much his time off will affect that. While the switch-hitting Almonte could be part of a platoon in center field in 2017, he would be interesting only in deeper mixed and AL-only leagues given his lack of power.

Almonte struggled in a reserve role with the Padres (.530 OPS in 62 plate appearances), but was afforded a fresh start at the trade deadline with a trade to Cleveland. Almonte didn't do much to separate himself from the herd at Triple-A El Paso to start the season (.775 OPS, four homers and 11 steals in 61 games), but took full advantage of a regular role with the Indians down the stretch, batting .264/.321/.455 in 51 games with five homers, six steals, 30 runs scored and 20 RBI for good measure. Unfortunately he was hit with an 80-game PED suspension this offseason, so he won't be an option for the Indians until early June, which makes him a player to avoid in most drafts.

Desperate for a leadoff hitter to begin the year, the Mariners turned to Almonte, who compiled an impressive .314/.403/.491 batting line with 11 homers and 20 steals in just 94 games with Triple-A Tacoma in 2013. The experiment proved ill-fated, as Almonte limped to a .540 OPS with 40 strikeouts against six walks in 27 games with the big club before being sent back to Tacoma in early May. It seemed as though the failed audition as a major-league regular may have affected his confidence. Almonte hit just .267/.333/.390 in 72 games with the affiliate following his demotion, but was afforded a fresh start when the M's shipped him to San Diego at the deadline. While Almonte has a strong on-base track record in the minors (.348 OBP) and can play all three outfield spots, he's behind several more capable options on the depth chart and may head back to Triple-A to begin 2015 unless the Padres choose to keep five outfielders out of camp, or opt to trade him elsewhere.

Almonte came to the Mariners last offseason in a trade with the Yankees and then joined the big-league team in late August after Mike Morse was shipped out of town. He earned the call with an impressive stint at Triple-A Tacoma, where he significantly cut his strikeouts and made much better contact. Almonte even found some power, slugging a career-high .491 with 11 homers in 94 games. The switch-hitter got a bit of playing time with the Mariners down the stretch last season (25 games), but didn't do much with the bat. Curiously, while Almonte was known for his speed on the basepaths in the minors, he attempted just one stolen base with the Mariners. His best shot at making the roster out of spring is as a reserve outfielder.