Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jordan Wicks is a candidate to open the year at Triple-A Iowa, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Wicks is presumably competing with Javier Assad, Drew Smyly, and Hayden Wesneski for the No. 5 role in the rotation, and Bastian notes that Wicks could be "better served" establishing a starter's routine in Triple-A until needed at the big-league level. The 24-year-old showed flashes of promise during his rookie season last year, going 4-1 with a 4.47 ERA, 6.23 K/9, 2.86 BB/9, and .269 BABIP.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell has an uncertain future after the team signed veteran Aaron Hicks to help shore up their outfield. Hicks is primed to open the year in the outfield mix along with Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, and Mickey Moniak. Adell would appear to be on the outside looking in at the moment. The 24-year-old former top prospect has largely struggled in the majors, slashing just .214/.259/.366 with 18 home runs, 66 RBI, and seven stolen bases in 580 at-bats across four seasons. He had a chance to see regular playing time down the stretch last season due to all of the injuries that the Angels suffered but he suffered an oblique strain himself, which kept him out for two months. What makes this a tricky scenario is that Adell is out of minor-league options. If he doesn't make the opening day roster then he would land on waivers where he would most likely be claimed by another club. A change of scenery wouldn't be the worst thing for him but as of now, he's on the 40-man roster and has a chance to make the opening-day roster, according to general manager Perry Minasian. The GM cited that Hicks' signing shouldn't affect Adell's roster chances because injuries happen and depth is vital to any organization. With all of that said, the path to everyday at-bats seems slim for Adell and given his past struggles, he likely won't be given the benefit of the doubt unless an injury clears a path for him.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo may or may not make the team's Opening Day roster, according to Evan Woodberry of MLive. Baddoo put together a poor 2023 season, slashing .218/.310/.372 with 11 home runs, 34 RBI, and 14 stolen bases over 312 at-bats. The organization is high on Parker Meadows, who impressed with his defensive ability and speed on the basepaths in a small sample size of 37 games last season. The team could begin the season with Meadows at center field and Riley Greene and Matt Vierling occupying the corner outfield spots. That scenario doesn't leave room for Baddoo. He does have experience playing center field, however, so if Meadows were to struggle, he could fill in for him. The Detroit outfield should come into more focus as spring training gets underway, but for now, it looks like Baddoo could be on the outside looking in.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows has a shot to open the year as the team's starting center fielder. The 6-foot-5 24-year-old appeared in 37 games down the stretch for Detroit last season and slashed .232/.331/.368 with three home runs, 13 RBI, and eight stolen bases over 125 at-bats. He flashed the leather in center field as well. Riley Greene (elbow), who underwent Tommy John Surgery in the offseason is going to shift to a corner outfield spot, with some designated hitter days mixed in, to ease him back into action after his elbow procedure. The emergence of Meadows, particularly on the defensive side, allows the Tigers to comfortably shift Greene, who started 2023 as the team's everyday center fielder. There's a chance that Meadows struggles in spring training or gets off to a slow start to begin the season but the job sounds like it is his to lose. He could be an intriguing late-round OF target, depending on where he slots into the Tigers' lineup.

San Diego Padres outfielder Jose Azocar is going to have more opportunities in spring training to prove that he deserves a bigger role in 2024. "You'll see that based on at-bats. He'll get the opportunity in spring training to play center and maybe move around a couple different spots depending on how the roster shapes up. He's gonna get an opportunity to take that next step and work towards earning more time," manager Mike Shildt said. The Padres have an opening in their outfield now that both Juan Soto and Trent Grisham are with the Yankees, and the 27-year-old Azocar will be a candidate to start in center field for San Diego in 2024. However, fantasy managers may not want to expect much after he had a weak .641 OPS in 55 games in 2023 and a .695 OPS in 49 games at Triple-A El Paso. Speed is his biggest asset.