Much of the intrigue in this vote will revolve around the chance Scott Rolen makes it, the gains made by several players (specifically Todd Helton) and how Alex Rodríguez and Carlos Beltrán fare.

In terms of big picture Hall of Fame voting, it's a spot on the ballot and clearing them helps every other legitimate candidate.

More succinctly, the quicker Rolen gets off the ballot, the easier it is for every other player to make gains -- including next year's newcomers like Adrián Beltré, Joe Mauer and Chase Utley.

In Rafael Palmeiro and Manny Ramirez, we've had players who posted Hall of Fame offensive numbers but tested positive.

This is his eighth year and a great chance, with all the ballot clearing from last voting cycle, to make a leap into realistic territory.

Those are Bronson Arroyo, Matt Cain, R.A. Dickey, Jacoby Ellsbury, Andre Ethier, JJ Hardy, John Lackey, Mike Napoli, Jhonny Peralta, Huston Street, Jered Weaver and Jayson Werth.