Donovan Solano, Reid Brignac battling for Marlins' bench spot

Veterans Reed Johnson, Donovan Solano, and Reid Brignac have been around the league more than a few times. And they are all competing to take one more trip with the Miami Marlins. With one roster spot already occupied by Ichiro Suzuki, the last utility spot has been up for grabs through out the spring. So as we charge towards the season, it's time to decide who will occupy the final bench spot on the 2015 Miami Marlins Opening Day roster.

Reed Johnson spent last season with the Marlins and was mainly used as a pinch-hitter. Reed was a great team leader in 2014 and made notable contributions as a pinch-hitter. The Marlins have no investment in Johnson, as he signed a one year Minor League deal with the team shortly before spring training. Johnson has said he wants to be used in pinch-hit situations and be used as the teams' primary utility man.

Reid Brignac is currently in his first stint with the Miami Marlins. The 29 year-old Brignac has played with the Tampa Bays and Philadelphia Phillies previously. Last season with the Phillies, Brignac posted a .222/.300/.346 slash line and notched one home run and ten RBIs. Birgnac started his career at shortstop but has been juggled around the infield also seeing time at second and third base. That being said, Brignac may be just what the doctor ordered, a utility infielder who can play multiple positions and has the potential to be a back up to Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechaverria. The Marlins have given Brignac time at shortstop this spring and his left-handed bat could be beneficial to the Marlins lineup.

Then comes Donovan Solano, the fourth-year Columbian infielder. Solano has posted a .264/.315/.336 slash line in 306 career games over three seasons all with the Marlins. Solano finds himself battling for a bench spot on the Marlins this season due to infield depth and the acquisitions of Michael Morse and Dee Gordon.  Solano has been used as a utility man in the past and already has his foot in the door with the Marlins organization.

All in all, it's going to be a tight race to occupy the open bench spot on the 2015 Marlins roster. It's going to be tough to decide who should get spot. Should it be the versatile Reid Brignac? What about the seasoned veteran Reed Johnson? Or maybe the younger Donovan Solano will pull it off and make the 2015 team? It's all coming down to the last few weeks of Spring Training, and this key position battle is coming right down to the wire.