Spring training has a little bit over two weeks to go, and the first roster cuts have already been made by the Cleveland Indians. No one figured that Kelvin De La Cruz and last year’s first round draft pick Alex White were going to make the team anyway.
However, the roster is starting to take shape. The main battles going into camp were in the starting rotation and on the bench. Here is a status report—
Starting rotation. Jake Westbrook looked good against the Giants on Tuesday, and Fausto Carmona had a good outing against the Angels last week. Justin Masterson has held his spot with three solid outings. He appears to have a better changeup, which he is using against left-handed hitters. He has fanned 12 hitters in seven innings, a much-needed attribute on a starting staff that needs some swing and miss hurlers.
David Huff has been good twice and bad once, and so has Aaron Laffey. Another bad outing might change their status.
However, the surprise thus far has been righty Mitch Talbot, picked up from Tampa in the Kelly Shoppach deal. Talbot has made three appearances and has allowed just one run in eight innings with no walks and six strikeouts. He may force his way into the rotation with Laffey going to the bullpen.
Bullpen. Five of the seven spots are etched in stone barring injuries: Kerry Wood, Chris Perez, Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp, and Joe Smith are locks, in spite of Smith’s struggles during camp.
Rule 5 draftee Hector Ambriz developed an injury, conveniently, so he likely will begin the season stashed on the disabled list. The guess here is the loser in the starting rotation battle will go to the ‘pen as well, so that leaves one spot left with the main contenders being Jensen Lewis, Jess Todd, Saul Rivera, and Jamie Wright.
Our opinion is that Lewis should be tried as a starter because of his propensity to give up the long ball, which is a killer for a reliever. Wright is a journeyman with a long history of stinking in the big leagues. Todd has struggled thus far, allowing three runs in 3-1/3 frames. That would leave Rivera, who pitched for Manny Acta in Washington, or a perhaps an extended look for youngster Josh Judy, who pitching in AA Akron last season.
Bench. Although the Indians maintain that 1B Russell Branyan will be able to play the last week of spring training and therefore can start the season, his lingering absence opens the door for Michael Brantley to claim the LF job, with Matt LaPorta at first base.
Branyan’s injury puts the rest of the bench in flux. Mike Redmond will most definitely be the back up catcher to Lou Marson, who will likely win the starting nod. Mark Grudzielanek looks like he will be the reserve infielder, although it will be interesting to see when he will get some reps at 3B. If Asdrubal Cabrera needs a rest, Luis Valbuena will probably move to shortstop.
That is, unless Brian Bixler takes one of the two remaining roster spots. Bixler is a SS by trade, and the Tribe is using him all over the diamond, including the outfield in order to increase his versatility. Bixler has been in 11 games already with 16 at bats. His weakness is his bat, as he has struggling with the stick in the big leagues. He has four hits in camp, all singles.
If Bixler isn’t on the roster, his spot will likely go to Andy Marte, who can play 1B or 3B, and adds a right-handed bat. Marte is 4 for 18 thus far in exhibition games.
NOTE: Bixler was designated for assignment shortly after this was published. The Tribe claimed INF Anderson Hernandez from the Mets. Hernandez is a switch hitter who played 2B, SS, and the outfield for New York last season. He hit .251 with 3HR’s in 2009. He’s a better hitter from the right side, so he could be a platoon partner with Luis Valbuena, which would also put Grudzielanek’s spot in jeopardy.
The last spot will be between Trevor Crowe and Austin Kearns. The management would probably like Crowe to play everyday in AAA Columbus, but Kearns hasn’t recovered the batting prowess he had at the beginning of his career in Cincinnati. His only offensive strength nowadays is his ability to take a walk. He’s currently 3 for 16 with one extra base hit.
Crowe is 5 for 15 with four runs batted in and two walks in his action in Arizona. He has speed and is a good outfielder. Right now, it would seem that it’s his job to lose.
There’s a lot of action left in training camp, but watch who is playing and who isn’t. That usually tells you whom the organization wants to make the 25 man roster come Opening Day.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 