The regular season is a little over a week away, and the Indians are starting to finalize their final roster. They named lefty Scott Lewis as the fifth starter, yesterday’s performance not withstanding, even though he will start the Tribe’s home opener, which is the team’s fourth game.
Lewis earned the job by out-pitching both Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers, both of whom were sent to Class AAA Columbus. He starts the fourth game ahead of Anthony Reyes because the staff wants to give Reyes’ tender elbow some extra rest, but also to break up the two southpaws in the rotation. They don’t want Lewis and Cliff Lee starting consecutive games.
Think of the starting rotation as being eight or nine deep. With the depth in the minor leagues, it won’t take long if Lewis is not effective to bring up Sowers, Laffey, or even David Huff, who pitched well in a minor league game on Wednesday (four scoreless innings). Others have said this, but I agree, it won’t be a shock to see any one of those lefties back here before the end of April.
It also appears that Zach Jackson will break camp with the big club in the bullpen as a long reliever. Jackson takes the spot that was reserved for Adam Miller, before he came down with the finger injury. The only other bullpen question is whether or not Masa Kobayashi will make the team. He has been terrible all spring, and that’s being nice.
Supposedly, the Tribe is still looking to strengthen the relief corps, probably because of the ineffectiveness of Kobayashi and Rafael Betancourt. Yesterday, they picked up Jae Kuk Ryu on waivers from San Diego. I still maintain that Betancourt will be fine, and that last year was an aberration, but it still is cause for concern. Veteran Vinnie Chulk would probably be the first option to make the club if Kobayashi is let go, although he did throw his best game of the spring Thursday against the Angels.
Among the everyday players, the last spot on the roster is still up for grabs with the primary candidates being David Dellucci, Josh Barfield, and rookie Trevor Crowe. Crowe has been impressive in Goodyear, but he would be better off playing everyday at Columbus than getting limited at bats in Cleveland. Barfield has shown great versatility, but hasn’t hit. Dellucci provides a left-handed bat, but really is limited to LF and doesn’t provide any speed.
The shaky choice here would be Barfield because of his speed and his ability to play 2B, 3B, and the outfield.
Of course, another spot could open up on the roster if Travis Hafner starts the year on the disabled list. The management hasn’t mentioned this, but Pronk is hitting less than .200 on the spring and has just two extra base hits. Dellucci’s spot on the roster could be saved if the front office decides to keep Hafner in Arizona to strengthen his shoulder.
All these decisions will be made in about a week when the team breaks camp and heads to Houston for a couple of exhibitions at Minute Maid Field against the Astros. Hopefully, the nice weather we’ve had in Cleveland will continue two weeks from today for Opening Day at Progressive Field.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 