Here, as the title suggests, we will examine platoon battles around baseball. We will focus on things such as who is getting more playing time, how the upcoming schedule might favor a platoon mate over the other and which struggling players could be on the verge of becoming part of a platoon. The goal is to help fantasy owners, especially those of you in deeper leagues, identify platoon players who might be of use to fantasy squads.

Chicago Cubs
Center Field: Felix Pie and Reed Johnson
Analysis: Since the return of Alfonso Soriano on May 1, the Cubs have been using Pie and Johnson in center field. So far, Johnson has gotten the nod over Pie in three of six games despite the fact that all five of those games were against right-handed pitchers. It would make some sense to go with a platoon in center field, but Pie's lack of productivity with the bat (.232/.302/.304 line in 56 at-bats) has forced the team to give Johnson additional playing time.

Recent reports have hinted that the Cubs could be close to shipping Pie back to Triple-A Iowa to work on his hitting. Infielder Ronny Cedeno was reportedly taking flyballs in center field on Sunday. The Cubs are no doubt trying to find ways to get his bat into the lineup (.373/.458/.549 line with one homer and 18 RBI in 51 at-bats) and this might be a way to do it, at least occasionally. The Cubs will have to make a roster move later this week when reliever Scott Eyre (elbow) is expected to be activated from the disabled list and it's quite possible that Pie could be jettisoned at that time.

Going Forward: Those in NL-only leagues will want to monitor this situation in the coming days. Johnson has a .641 OPS in 62 at-bats vs. right-handed pitching this season and a .708 OPS in 1,444 lifetime at-bats against right-handers so he would be best suited in a platoon. There certainly isn't much upside in giving Johnson a full time gig.

Cleveland Indians
Left Field/Right Field: Ben Francisco, David Dellucci and Franklin Gutierrez
Analysis: The Indians, looking for a spark to their slumping offense, have designated Jason Michaels for assignment. Francisco was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to take his spot on the roster. Michaels, who has been involved in a left field platoon with Dellucci, was off to a very slow start (.207/.258/.276 line in 58 at-bats) this season.

Francisco, 26, deserved to make the club out of spring training and nearly did after batting .362 with three homers, nine RBI and 1.021 OPS in 47 at-bats. The team plans to use him as more than just a platoon outfielder as he, Dellucci and Gutierrez are expected to share time between left field and right field.

Going Forward: This is obviously not good news for Gutierrez, who will see his role reduced, at least for the time being, as Francisco gets an opportunity to show what he can do.
Colorado Rockies

Center Field: Willy Taveras and Scott Podsednik
Analysis: Podsednik has received increased playing time of late at the expense of Taveras, starting Sunday and Monday. Podsednik began the season as the team's fifth outfielder, but he has been playing very well in limited action so far this season (.308/.438/.436 line with six steals in 39 at-bats) so it's not hard to understand manager Clint Hurdle's reasoning here. Of course, that being said, Taveras hasn't exactly been a slouch with a .336 OBP and a National-League leading 14 stolen bases in 103 at-bats.

A report in Wednesday's edition of the Rocky Mountain News states that the Padres have contacted the Rockies about possibly acquiring a center fielder. With the Rockies deep at the position and in the market for some pitching help, this could make sense. The story didn't mention names so it's purely speculation at this point as to which center fielder might possibly be involved in the talks. If you own Taveras in your league, it's just something to be mindful of at this point.

Going Forward: Mixed leaguers should keep an eye on this situation as they would no doubt want to add Podsednik, if Taveras is dealt. Right now, though, Podsednik is only worth owning in NL-only leagues.

Detroit Tigers
Left Field/Right Field: Marcus Thames and Matt Joyce
Analysis: The decision to designate the struggling Jacque Jones for assignment has thrown the Tigers lineup into a bit of flux. Joyce, a left-handed hitter, was recalled from Triple-A Toledo. The 23-year-old put together a .299/.367/.536 line with five homers, 21 RBI and two stolen bases in 97 at-bats for Toledo this season. He has a reputation of being a very good defensive outfielder in the minor leagues, but his performance with the bat last season at Double-A Erie (.257/.333/.454 line with 17 homers, 70 RBI, four SB and 127 strikeouts in 456 at-bats) was nothing to write home about.

It's not clear at this point exactly how much playing time Joyce will see. The Tigers have five outfielders to rotate between three outfield spots and designated hitter. That doesn't even include Brandon Inge, who shuffles around from third base, center field and catcher. Manager Jim Leyland will have plenty of options as he fills out the lineup card each day.

Going Forward: Our guess is that Joyce ends up essentially taking over the role previously held by Jones, but it's tough to say with a great deal of certainty considering the crowded situation in Detroit.