State of play: NL middle infielders

Which NL teams will be looking for upgrades to their middle infields this winter?

Nov 17, 2013, 12:04 AM UTC

Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

There are many questions to be answered this winter in regards to the state of middle infielders in the National League. Who will the Los Angeles Dodgers go after to replace the departed Nick Punto? Will the Dodgers still pursue Robinson Cano to replace free agent Mark Ellis now that they have signed Cuban infielder Alex Guerrero? Will the Cincinnati Reds deal Brandon Phillips ... perhaps, to the Dodgers?

Here is a look at the middle-infield landscape of the Dodgers, as well as the other National League teams:

Team	2B	SS	Util	Comments
Arizona D'Backs	Aaron Hill	Didi Gregorius	Cliff Pennington	22-year-old standout Chris Owings, named team's No. 2 prospect by AZ Snakepit, will also be looking for at-bats.
Atlanta Braves	Elliot Johnson	Andrelton Simmons	Paul Janish	2013 2B Dan Uggla was left off of the NLDS roster and the team wants to trade him. He's still on the team, but is conspicuously absent from their official depth chart.
Chicago Cubs	Darwin Barney	Starlin Castro	Donnie Murphy	Cubs need Castro to rediscover his stroke at the plate, and for 2012 Gold Glover Barney to discover a stroke at the plate for the first time.
Cincinnati Reds	Brandon Phillips	Zach Cozart	Open	The Reds want to trade Phillips. If they do, then they're going to need some middle infield help this winter.
Colorado Rockies	D.J. LeMahieu	Troy Tulowitzki	Jonathan Herrera	Tulo is as good as it gets, and LeMahieu has a good glove at second. But will Tulo be traded this winter?
Los Angeles Dodgers	Alex Guerrero	Hanley Ramirez	Dee Gordon	Guerrero is unproven in the majors, and Gordon can do everything except hit and field. Hard to see team standing pat with current situation.
Miami Marlins	Donovan Solano	Adeiny Hechavarria	Derek Dietrich?	Marlins continue 2013 strategy of making up fake players, upping ante by hiring imaginary GM Dan Jennings (they also have a pitcher named Dan Jennings ... same person?).
Milwaukee Brewers	Scooter Gennett	Jean Segura	Jeff Bianchi	Gennett posted surprising 834 OPS in 230 plate appearances last year; career 745 OPS in minors.
New York Mets	Daniel Murphy	Omar Quintanilla	Justin Turner	Mets could use some help up the middle, especially on defensive side of things.
Philadelphia Phillies	Chase Utley	Jimmy Rollins	Kevin Frandsen	"That double-play combo is awesome," said a man in 2008.
Pittsburgh Pirates	Neil Walker	Jordy Mercer	Josh Harrison	2013 shortstop Clint Barmes is a free agent; can Mercer take over as full-time starter?
San Diego Padres	Jedd Gyorko	Everth Cabrera	Logan Forsythe	Cabrera will have to prove that 2013 numbers weren't a fluke after 50-game PED suspension. Gyorko quietly hit 23 home runs last year as a rookie.
San Francisco Giants	Marco Scutaro	Brandon Crawford	Joaquin Arias	Scutaro ended the season on DL, but is still under contract for two more seasons; Tony Abreu is another infield option.
St. Louis Cardinals	Matt Carpenter	Pete Kozma	Daniel Descalso	Carpenter could move back to third base if David Freese is dealt, which would open space for youngster Kolten Wong. Team looking for upgrade at shortstop.
Washington Nationals	Anthony Rendon	Ian Desmond	Steve Lombardozzi	The 24-year-old Zach Walters could also challenge for playing time, and 2011-12 second baseman Danny Espinosa is still in the organization.

A (non-comprehensive) list of top free agents at each position:

Second base

- Robinson Cano
- Omar Infante
- Brian Roberts
- Mark Ellis
- Skip Schumaker
- Ramon Santiago
- Kelly Johnson (played primarily LF in 2013)

Shortstop

- Stephen Drew
- Jhonny Peralta
- Brendan Ryan
- Willie Bloomquist
- Clint Barmes
- Cesar Izturis
- Alex Gonzalez (the one who's still playing baseball)
- John McDonald (played for four teams in 2013 and recorded eight total hits)
- Rafael Furcal (missed all of 2013 with injury)