Before I get started, I know that injuries, such as the one suffered by Ronnie Mac, or trades could make this entire diary moot, and by the end of Spring Training there won't be any real debate as to who makes the 25 man roster. But these are the things I think about when I'm stuck in traffic and working out, and this is yet another reason I'm glad AN is around, so I can discuss this sort of thing with folks who don't think I'm nuts.

Okay, the way I see it, 24 of the 25 spots on the Major League roster are locked up. (Again, this is barring trades, even ones we'd all like to see.)

1. Piazza
   
2. Kendall
   
3. Swisher
   
4. Ellis
   
5. Crosby
   
6. Chavez
   
7. Stewart
   
8. Kotsay
   
9. Bradley
   
10. Melhuse
    
11. Scutaro
    
12. Perez
    
13. Kielty
14. Harden
    
15. Haren
    
16. Loaiza
    
17. Blanton
    
18. Kennedy
    
19. Street
    
20. Duke
    
21. Calero
    
22. Embree
    
23. Gaudin
    
24. Witasick

Halsey: The clear leader for the coveted #12 pitcher slot. Of course, the A's may not carry 12 pitchers, though they have in recent years. Halsey is left-handed and could serve as a long reliever/spot starter, which would balance out the bullpen as presently constructed.

Goleski: Admittedly, I don't know much about Goleski, except for his numbers and what I've read on here. However, a right-handed power bat in the outfield is something the A's could really use down the line, and something tells me Beane didn't go to the trouble of snagging Goleski just to have him for a month.

Durazo: Barring injuries, I think Durazo will be DHing in Sacto come April. But he's still someone to watch this Spring. I really believe we'll thank heaven for the "Holy Grail" before '07 is over.

DJ: Finally, I come around to the title character of the diary. Now, I don't know if the A's players read the team website, (or read at all, for that matter) but if I'm DJ, I'd be really concerned about some of the things Geren has said in the past couple of days. First, Geren said he wants to get Melhuse more at-bats, and he'll take grounders at first and third. Then, the following day, Geren said that Stewart would get the majority of starts in left, while Swisher would get the most at 1st base. Yikes.

I can see Swisher settling into being a full time first baseman, with Melhuse and Kotsay serving as rare backups. In the outfield, I see Stewart playing in left most days if healthy, Keilty playing against lefites, and Goleski getting spot starts, particularly when Kotsay's back is hurting.

If I had to guess, I think Halsey will make the team by way of a Witasick trade, but otherwise, he starts the season in AAA.

As for DJ? I'm afraid he'll be sent packing by the end of this month. After that great start in '05, I had high hopes for him, but I'm afraid he's AAAA all the way. And I can't be the only person that's skeptical about the whole "double vision" thing. He sure seemed to see the ball well right when he got back to Sacremento.

Are DJ's days numbered? Is there hope for him to continue to wear the green and gold? Please let me know I'm not the only nutjob who thinks about these things!