With the exhibition season about a week old, the Cleveland Indians roster appears to be about set. However, there are some battles and some questions that Eric Wedge and Mark Shapiro need to address before the season gets underway April 2nd against the World Champion Chicago White Sox.
Who will be the utility infielder? Brandon Phillips is out of options and must make the team or be placed on waivers. The question is will Phillips be happy sitting on the bench and playing once or twice a week at age 24? My guess is no, and the front office will try to deal the former top prospect while he still has decent value. Ramon Vasquez is 29 and can play 2B, 3B, and SS. He is the classic utility man, but was a starter earlier in his career at San Diego. Lou Merloni is coming off an injury last season and likely will start the year at Buffalo to get some needed at bats.
Who will make up the bullpen? Obviously, some spots are in stone: Wickman, Mota, Sauerbeck, Betancourt and Miller. Fernando Cabrera is probably a lock if he throws strikes which he did not do in training camp last season. Can Steve Karsay and Danny Graves turn the clock back to 2000 and make the team? Will the Indians keep a second lefthander by rushing Rafael Perez or Tony Sipp? One dark horse to keep an eye on…righty Andrew Brown, who throws serious heat and has struck out five in two innings so far this spring.
Prospects or suspects? Besides Phillips there are two other young players who’s stars are fading: Jason Davis and Jeremy Guthrie. Davis was in the rotation in 2003 and pitched well that season, but has struggled since. The Tribe moved him to the bullpen late in the 2004 season because of his power arm. The big righty can throw hard, but doesn’t seem to have an idea on how to pitch. Guthrie was a former #1 draft pick who pitched well at Class AA Akron in his first year in the organization, but has struggled since. It’s time for both pitchers to live up to their billing.
Who backs up Victor? The easy answer here is Kelly Shoppach, who came over in the Coco Crisp deal, but veteran Einar Diaz is looming in the wings. If the Boston transplant doesn’t hit and Diaz does, the former Tribe backstop could be the current one as well. The guess here is Shoppach wins the tie breaker, since he could be a significant trade piece if the Tribe needs to bolster itself for the stretch drive.
The new prospects? We discussed the fading prospects, but one interesting thing about Spring Training is the up and coming prospects getting their first shot in big league camp. This year, those guys are lefty starter Jeremy Sowers, 3B Andy Marte, and OF Franklin Gutierrez and Brad Snyder. All of these guys could be here before the September 1st call ups, and it will be interesting to see how they handle their first camps.
Of course, watching players health is a big concern as well. Is Wickman’s elbow strong? Any sore arms for the starters? Any nagging injuries for the regulars? Those are the questions of the spring, we can start the managerial second guessing once the season starts.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 