The Cleveland Indians do not like the salary arbitration process. They haven’t been involved since the early 90’s when Jerry Browne took the team through the process. They avoided going there again this off-season by inking catcher Kelly Shoppach to a one-year deal. It appears this might the last move the Tribe makes this winter prior to spring training in Goodyear, AZ.
If it is, the Indians have a major decision to make at 1B and catcher. Victor Martinez should be healthy in 2009, and was arguably the best catcher in the American League in 2007, when he batted .301 with 25 HR and 114 RBI. It has been said that Martinez, who just turned 30 in December, would like to continue to catch on a regular basis.
With Martinez injured much of last season with elbow problems and hamstring issues, Shoppach stepped in and performed very well, batting .261 with 21 HR and 55 RBI. The glaring statistic for Shoppach, who will turn 29 this spring, is his strikeouts. He fanned 133 times in 352 at bats last season, which projects to 189 K’s in a 500 at bat season.
Shoppach’s presence allows skipper Eric Wedge the flexibility to keep Martinez fresh by playing him at 1B or DH in the event Travis Hafner doesn’t come back from his shoulder problems. Of course, another option at first is Ryan Garko, who had an off year in 2008, but still knocked in 90 runs with 14 homers and a .273 batting average. Garko’s track record makes me believe he will bounce back to his form of 2006 and 2007, when he hit .290 (834 OPS) with 28 dingers and 106 RBI in 669 at bats.
If Pronk returns to even his 2007 level when he drove in over 100 runs, Wedge will have a very enjoyable time dividing playing time between these four players at three spots. It will allow him to rest Hafner against tough southpaws, thereby keeping his shoulder strong. Martinez will not get worn down by catching 135 games per season.
It will also provide GM Mark Shapiro with trade options if another weakness on the ballclub emerges. I know this sounds like a broken record, but with the Tribe’s top prospect, catcher Carlos Santana on the horizon, Shoppach becomes the most likely trade bait. Keep in mind that Shoppach is no youngster, being just a year younger than Martinez, who has been around Cleveland for a long time.
Assuming no injuries in the everyday lineup, here is how it looks like the Tribe will open the season in Texas on April 6th—
Grady Sizemore CF
Mark DeRosa 3B
Victor Martinez C
Jhonny Peralta SS
Travis Hafner DH
Ryan Garko 1B
Shin-Soo Choo RF
Ben Francisco LF
Asdrubal Cabrera 2B
However, something tells me the infield positions are marked in pencil, and that Peralta may still shift to third, with Cabrera moving to short, and DeRosa to second.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 
This lineup is lacking speed, but the bats are very strong with exception of Asdrubal Cabrera. These guys will not hit for average, but their power numbers (Doubles, Home Runs) will be at the top of the ranks in the MLB…. depending on Hafner’s production. The problem could be with strikeouts because these guys lack discipline at the plate, with exception of Hafner and Martinez. The rest of these guys swing very recklessly….. it is honestly like do or die for the majority of them. I "do" expect Grady Sizemore to hit for a better average this year (.310+), but I think his Home Runs will go down because he will try to be more selective at the plate. He will draw more walks, steal more bases and score more runs…. depending on Mark Derosa and Victor Martinez’s production. (Grady will find a way to manufacture runs without the long ball this year.) "Like a true lead off man!" Honestly, I am more excited about the pitching staff than I am the batting lineup. I am more excited about the Columbus Clippers batting lineup right now!!! Lol
I’m excited about the bullpen and the revitalization of Carmona, but the starting rotation makes me a little nervous.