AL Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Crack Opening Day Rosters

In case you missed the companion article on NL Non-Roster players who could be found on the first 25-man rosters of 2009, here is a layout of what's in store.

This is a list not of rookies or young stars who are likely to crack majors rosters for the first time (Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates for example).

This is a list of players, whether they be veterans looking for one last go or younger players looking to revive their lost careers or come back from injuries, that have a decent chance of catching on either with their current club or another one.

And now, without further adieu, the AL's best non-roster players:

AL EAST

Matt Clement, SP, Toronto Blue Jays- Clement was once one of the many promising Cubs pitchers (along with Mark Prior and Kerry Wood) who were expected to anchor the Cubs rotation in much the same way as Atlanta's Big Three of Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Greg Maddux did.

Michael Barrett, C, Toronto Blue Jays- Barrett seemingly hasn't been the same since getting into a dugout battle with Carlos Zambrano when both played for the Cubs. He hit only .202 last year and .226 in 2007 after a trade to San Diego. He'll be vying for the backup job and figures to be the favorite with luminaries Raul Chavez and Curtis Thigpen in the mix.

Kevin Millar, 1B/DH, Toronto Blue Jays- Millar is a lunch pale guy who will come in with some power and a decent glove at first. His stats are interesting. His average has dropped every year since 2005, while his home run total his risen each of those same years. Millar should stick as a backup and should provide some great power off the bench or in a spot start.

Adam Loewen, OF, Toronto Blue Jays- Trying to be Rick Ankiel, Loewen is on the roster as an outfielder after being the Orioles' top pitching prospect only a few years ago. He likely won't make the roster this year, but his inclusion here is out of curiosity. If he can be like Ankiel, he'll be back in a year or two.

Brad Hennessey, SP/RP, Baltimore Orioles- Probably best in relief, Hennessey could make the Orioles' rotation with a decent spring. He has had an up-and-down career with the Giants and absolutely blew up last year. He has a fresh start, so perhaps he can put that behind him. He has the stuff to be a dominant reliever or decent back-end starter.

Chris Gomez, UTIL, Baltimore Orioles- Gomez is probably a lock to make the roster as a super-sub type guy. He filled that roll well for the Pirates last season, hitting .273 and providing excellent defense off the bench. Gomez still has a lot left in his tank, so the Orioles might have a nice bench piece on their hands as long as his age doesn't start showing.

Jason Isringhausen, RP, Tampa Bay Rays- A fresh signing by the Rays, Isringhausen is out to prove last year was a mirage. He was injured and ineffective with a 5.70 ERA in 42 games. He has a good chance, if healthy, to work into the closer competition. At worst, he should make the team and be part of a closer by committee system that manager Joe Maddon loves.

Morgan Ensberg, 1B/3B, Tampa Bay Rays- A good glove at third (questionable at first), Ensberg has never regained the form he showed with Houston in 2005 when he hit .283 with 36 homers. He hit only .203 with one homer last year and did not impress in the minors either. If he makes the team, which is a big if, he will likely be more of a defensive substitute. If he finds his bat this spring, he may also get some pinch hit opportunities.

Adam Kennedy, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays- Kennedy's release in St. Louis was a shocker. Most second sackers with a .280 average maintain steady employment in the majors. Kennedy now enters an infield with very few questions. He is a lock as a bench guy and also could be a starter if Akinori Iwamura struggles early. Kennedy is only 32, so he seems to have several years left. If he doesn't land here, he'll be somewhere else.

Charlie Zink, P, Boston Red Sox- I debated with this since Zink is still pretty young, but his 16.62 ERA last year in a brief call-up makes him a fringe case. He'll get a chance to prove he can be more like Tim Wakefield (Zink throws a knuckler too), but will likely either be in the minors again or out.

Brad Wilkerson, OF, Boston Red Sox- Wilkerson is probably in the "last chance" area of his career.  His average is dropping steadily and his home run totals aren't enough to keep him and his questionable glove on a roster.  He must have a big spring to stick.  The Red Sox aren't really in need of an outfielder, so he has to find a way to stand out.

Kei Igawa, SP, New York Yankees- Igawa was supposed to be the second best overseas acquisition in 2007 when he and Daisuke Matsuzaka arrived. Igawa was instead the number one bust.  He went 2-3 with a 6.25 ERA his first year. Last year, it ballooned to 13.50 before the Yanks shut him down. Igawa will either make or break his career this spring. He won't make the rotation without several injuries, and a bullpen spot is tenuous at best.

Brett Tomko, SP/RP, New York Yankees- Tomko is also in last chance territory. After showing nothing effective since 2006, Tomko is now trying to make the bullpen as a long man.  He's already not the best option on the roster, so he'll have to have a stellar spring to vault himself onto the roster. He could, with a decent showing, put himself on someone else's radar, however. Pitchers are always in need in the majors as long as they can get outs.

Angel Berroa, INF, New York Yankees- Shortstop is out thanks to Derek Jeter, and as long as Robinson Cano rebounds, Berroa won't have a shot at second either.  He figures to be a bench man at best. Berroa was once a touted prospect, but has become a study in failure. His .230 average last season was nothing to write home about. He's on the fringe.

AL CENTRAL

Jack Cassel, SP/RP, Cleveland Indians- Cassel is still young enough to carve out a nice career.  He has mediocre stats but good stuff.  Cleveland has some pitching questions in the rotation behind Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona and in the bullpen before closer Kerry Wood.  Cassel could slot in anywhere.

Matt Herges, RP, Cleveland Indians- An experienced bullpen arm, Herges is trying to prove he has something left at almost 40.  His 5.04 ERA last year was ugly, but then again it was in Colorado.  He has a career mark of 3.94. That bodes well for him. With a good spring, he'll be in the Indians' 'pen.

Tomo Ohka, SP/RP, Cleveland Indians- Remember him? I thought he was gone too, but here he is again. Ohka was last seen with the Blue Jays in 2007 posting a 2-5 mark with a 5.79 ERA.  Ohka has never had great numbers, but somehow seems to stick.  He is a starter by trade, but could be better in relief.  With so many questions, he, like Herges and Cassel, could put themselves in the mix with a good camp.

Kirk Saarloos, SP/RP, Cleveland Indians- Another aging arm who's bounced around, Saarloos is in the same boat as the other three. His numbers are pretty awful since 2005, so he's going to have to really prove something this camp. He always seems to get on a roster for awhile, so don't ever count him out.

Tony Graffanino, INF, Cleveland Indians- Graffanino always seems to stick somewhere, but he's getting up there and he missed last season with an injury. He's a steady glove man and has a decent bat as well, so he could slot in nicely on Cleveland's bench. The Indians always seem to have middle infield questions, so keep and eye on Graffanino this year.

Lenny DiNardo, SP/RP, Kansas City Royals- DiNardo hasn't been much of a pitcher in his career, but was a high-end prospect for a reason. He could land a spot in the KC bullpen with a good showing, but he faces stiff competition from more sound arms. He likely isn't a rotation candidate, but you never know with the Royals.

Brandon Duckworth, SP, Kansas City Royals- Has he finally figured it out? His ERA and loss totals have steady fallen since he arrived with the Royals and his 3-3 record last year with a 4.50 ERA are serviceable numbers. He always seems to find a niche, so he'll likely make the team. Where is anyone's guess, but the back of the rotation is not out of the question.

Franquelis Osoria, RP, Kansas City Royals- He couldn't get it done with the pitching-starved Pirates, posting a 6.08 ERA in 43 appearances. Osoria has a chance because he's pitching for the Royals now, but if he doesn't regain the form that piqued the interest of the Pirates, he'll be out of a job. When you can't cut it on bad rosters, you don't have a lot of hope for success in the majors.

Oscar Villarreal, RP, Kansas City Royals- What a collapse in 2008.  He went from being an ultra-dependable innings eater to a 5.02 ERA disaster.  The good news is that it seems to be an anomaly.  If he shows his pre-Houston form, he'll be a bullpen staple for the Royals.  He has good stuff and good career numbers, so he's a lock if he shows up.

Juan Rincon, RP, Detroit Tigers- The Tigers have a lot of questions in their bullpen, particularly at the back end. Rincon has had two off years in a row, but his career numbers point to him being a steady arm. He has to stay healthy and get outs, but he could slot in nicely as a setup man if Joel Zumaya, Fernando Rodney, and Brandon Lyon can't stay healthy.

R.A. Dickey, SP/RP, Minnesota Twins- Dickey started out good last year but fell apart as Seattle did. He's starting to finally harness that knuckler, so we'll see how that works in its third year (and third team). Dickey has decent stuff and should slot in somewhere, likely the bullpen.

Sean Henn, SP/RP, Minnesota Twins- Before Phil Hughes in New York, there was Sean Henn. He was a top pitching prospect. He failed miserably at the big league level, and now he's trying to carve out a roster spot. Henn doesn't have a chance in a crowded bullpen, however, if he doesn't lower that hideous ERA (7.56 career).

John Van Benschoten, SP/RP, Chicago White Sox- Van Benschoten failed with the Pirates as a pitcher, but there was talk of him becoming an outfielder. He led his team in home runs when he was in college and high school, so he might have something there. If he hits like he pitches, he's toast. He's listed as a pitcher, but like Loewen, he is probably better suited to reinventing his career.

Ben Broussard, INF, Chicago White Sox- Broussard is a fringe player in last chance territory. He didn't pan out at his last two stops, so now he's trying to crack a weak White Sox bench. He has a chance if he can find his absent bat, but is likely one of those players who will be stuck in the minors with a mediocre spring showing.

AL WEST

Jerome Williams, SP/RP, Oakland Athletics- He seemed done after a stop in Washington, but is back for a shot with the A's. If he can rediscover some of his 2005 Cubs form, he could crack a weak rotation. He has experience, which is always a plus on a young team, but has a lot to prove. Ideally, he makes the roster and then works his way into the lineup.

Tyler Johnson, RP, Seattle Mariners- Back from an injury, Johnson is trying to revive his career.  He's come to the right place.  Seattle is looking for pitching.  If Johnson can maintain his serviceable career numbers, he'll be in the 'pen for the M's.  If not, he may be labeled as too injured to rebound. If he can't make the Mariners, he's in big trouble.

Randy Messenger, RP, Seattle Mariners- Finally seemed to be putting it together with the Giants last season, but only pitched in 13 games. If he can project that form over a full season, he could be quite the find for the pitching-strapped M's. He has good stuff but has never really found it at the big league level. This could be one of his last chances.

Chris Woodward, INF, Seattle Mariners- Didn't play last year, but always seems to find a job.  He has a good glove and can play multiple spots, but he doesn't have much of a bat.  He'll be a good late-inning defensive substitute with the Mariners.  He should make a weak bench roster for sure.

Mike Sweeney, INF, Seattle Mariners- He was steady once again in 2008, hitting .286.  His questionable power has diminished, however. He is a virtual lock to make the M's roster thanks to his bat and defense. His veteran leadership won't hurt either.  He's the kind of player young teams need.

Jason Jennings, SP, Texas Rangers- He's one of many starters hoping to be an answer for the Rangers' long history of pitching woes. He was awful last year in a brief pre-injury stint. He insists he's healthy now, so we'll see if he can regain his ace form from his years with the Rockies. If he does, he'll easily make the Ranger rotation.

Eddie Guardado, RP, Texas Rangers- Pitched well last season, earning him another shot at 39.  He should be in their bullpen as a setup guy. His age and injury history are question marks, but he answered the bell well last season. This could be his last go around, but he is a virtual lock to get his chance.

Brendan Donnelly, RP, Texas Rangers- He was uncharacteristically bad last year.  Usually he's as steady as they come. He's also coming off an injury. Hopefully that's the excuse for his 8.15 ERA in 2008. If he regains form, he'll be quite a steal for the Rangers, who desperately need 'pen help with several dependable arms hurt.

Kris Benson, SP, Texas Rangers- In the same boat as Jennings, Benson is trying to make it back from rotator cuff surgery. He was once a number one pick by the Pirates, but his career has been derailed by injuries. He has a good chance with the Rangers. If he's healthy and effective in the spring, he'll be a starter for Texas.

Derrick Turnbow, RP, Texas Rangers- Turnbow was a closer before he fell apart in Milwaukee.  Now he has a chance to make the worst pitching staff in the majors.  He still has stuff and the interest in him before he signed indicates that his workouts have shown something to scouts.  He should make the bullpen once he's fully recovered.

Omar Vizquel, SS, Texas Rangers- Vizquel is in the twilight of his career.  He had a bad year last year and he looks more and more like a bench player.  He'll likely make the team as young Elvis Andrus' backup and tutor.  If Andrus isn't ready, Vizquel is still capable of filling in at shortstop until the time comes.  He's a lock.

Andruw Jones, OF, Texas Rangers- Our last non-roster guy is perhaps our most interesting case. Jones is only two years removed from hitting 41 homers (three years from hitting 51), but those two years couldn't have been more awful.  He barely was allowed on the field last year after he showed his terrible game, and now he's fighting for a job.  His .158 average in 75 games isn't something to write home about. He isn't a lock for this team, but could be a steal if he somehow finds his home run stroke once again.