Depth: The strength of our team (part one: catcher and first base)

Let me clarify. By "team depth," I mean players that can contribute in 08. I don't mean "organizational depth," players that could contribute at the major league level.

Now while, anything is possible; we want to explore to plausible here. Here are plausible candidates for first base in 08.

Again, there is a huge difference between injury risks and failure risks: injuries can happen in an instant, but failure takes time

First Base: One place where we lack our depth is "the slugger," and first base is a traditional place to put a slugger.

We have Garko here. I like Garko and think that he hasn't had his career year yet. Still I don't think that he will ever hit 40+ homers. If you lookup league average first baseman in Webster's, Ryan face will be smiling at you. He is a good player but can't replace Hafner. I think it is 50/50 whether he is a injury or failure risk. That is, I think that he is as likely to .450 OBS as he is to have a serious injury.

If Garko goes down, the options are limitless. First, V-Mart is going to get some ABs at first, healthy Garko or no. Blake can play first. In fact, if Garko goes down, my bet is Blake moves over and takes first. Marte is practicing at the position. And we will save Hafner......for the interleague games. My basic position here , in case of injury, is that the major league team could absorb these ABs.

I don't think we have a clear "first baseman in waiting," but I think that we get equal ABs with various combinations present major leaguers.

On the farm: Ryan Mulhern. Scouts aren't high on him, but he hits homers at ever level that he has played. Think Jeff Manto. You only want him when he is hot and that won't last long. No real depth here.

Next: Michael "Always Injured" Aubrey. What do we get here? Did you see the nickname? Once upon a time, people thought he had talent. He is in the last of his option years. Don't be surprised to see him at some point. Be surprised by any results. Really, he has been injured that often. He had a nice spring, but . . .

Next: Jordan Brown. Brown is not major league ready. He enters the season post-knife. But if he develops, he could be a possible second half replacement. I think that he hopes for Garko's career. Good but not great.

Other: Matt Whitney. A rule 5 pick by the Nats. ttfc will be following the situation.