Spring Training 2020: The Rotation

Spring training is almost upon us and with it comes speculation. For the Cleveland Indians, they appear settled with what they have, as dull as that may be. However, there's a handful of position battles to monitor once pitchers and catchers report again, providing us with some meaningful talking points.

The Rotation

With Corey Kluber now with the Rangers, the Indians will rely on Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber and a healthy Carlos Carrasco to front the rotation. Which leaves two open spots, likely to be contested by Zach Plesac, Aaron Civale and Adam Plutko.

Plesac started 21 games for the Tribe in 2019 and impressed in his rookie season. The 2016 draft pick recorded a 3.81 ERA over 115.2 innings and was a mainstay for Cleveland down the stretch. Considering the 6'3 right hander wasn't expected to feature for the Indians last year, he did remarkably well. The highlight of his year came in mid-September when he dominated the Angels in a four-hit, complete game shutout. Plesac was the first Indians rookie to throw a shutout since 2006 (recorded by the infamous Jeremy Sowers of all people).

Plesac's 4.94 FIP was a cause for concern though, and he recorded a below average 6.85 K/9 too. His propensity for walks was also a little worrying, his 3.11 BB/9 and 8.4% walk rate both above league average. Despite that, Plesac showed enough potential to be considered a rotation favorite ahead of 2020 and he'll be given the spring to cement his place, but he's far from a sure thing to keep his spot.

Civale also impressed as a rookie, joining Plesac in the rotation to make 10 superb starts over August and September (with a cameo in June too). The 24-year-old finished 2019 with a 2.34 ERA and 3.40 FIP, for an astounding 202 ERA+. Civale loved pitching against the lowly Tigers in particular, excelling in each of his three starts with a 1.31 ERA and an Indians victory each time.

Given the small sample size, questions about Civale sustaining this level will linger until the season gets underway and like Plesac, Civale isn't guaranteed his position either. However, his resumé of work at the big league level so far has been overwhelmingly positive and he's favored to retain his place, provided he avoids disaster in the spring.

Plutko is the final contender and is out of minor league options. He has to make it stick or he could be headed out of Cleveland for good. The 28-year-old Californian pitched 109.1 innings over 21 appearances in 2019, and recorded a 4.86 ERA. Plutko's overall numbers are typical for a number five guy and he was often solid when called upon. His 5.23 FIP and 97 ERA+ are unremarkable but Plutko was an important contributor when the Indians needed him most: his maturity, ability to eat innings, and overall reliability were invaluable when the Tribe lost Kluber, Clevinger and Carrasco to injuries.

Among his fellow contenders, Plutko is the more experienced pitcher, throwing more MLB innings than both Plesac and Civale combined. Of course, those innings by Plutko were ultimately less spectacular and effective than those thrown by his younger teammates, which may give them the advantage. The veteran certainly feels like the outsider looking in but an impressive spring could be enough to secure his place in the rotation. As the underdog, you can't help but root for him.

The fringe challengers invited to spring training consist of Logan Allen, Triston McKenzie, Scott Moss and Jefry Rodriguez. Nobody from this group is expected to seriously upset the established order, and would only be in the running if injury struck. Perhaps Rodriguez could feature for spot starts or a relief role, but the others may benefit from more seasoning in the upper minor leagues.

With spring training on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out, and who management will opt for.

And The Oscar Goes To...

When the Indians acquired Leonys Martin before the trade deadline last year, it was a practical move to shore up what had been a position of uncertainty for some time. No one could have foreseen what happened next, when Martin was struck down with a virus so lethal it almost claimed his life. Before the illness though, the trade signified the Indians liked what they saw in Martin and the veteran outfielder was expected to roam center field for the next year or two until a prospect was ready to take his spot.

On the same day Martin made the short journey across Lake Erie from Detroit to his new home in Cleveland, the Indians were busy adding another center fielder, a prospect who could potentially supplant Martin in the future.

His name is Oscar Mercado and he’s currently the most exciting Tribe player of spring training.

I was quietly pleased when the Indians announced they had brought the young Colombian on board via a prospect swap with the Cardinals. The fleet-footed former shortstop-now-outfielder is renowned for his elite speed and strong defense, but has dedicated himself these past two years on improving his prowess at the plate. The results have been encouraging, as Mercado hit .285/.351/.408 for the Triple-A Redbirds prior to his trade, with 8 homers and 42 RBI, plus 31 stolen bases. Once part of of the Indians organisation, Mercado slashed .252/.342/.320 in 32 games for Columbus as he adjusted to his new team and city.

At this point Mercado was considered by many to be another cog in the Indians’ outfield wheel of problems and misfits, but behind the likes of the more established trio of Tyler Naquin, Bradley Zimmer and Greg Allen, and even new additions like Jordan Luplow and Jake Bauers.

Then spring training began and Mercado came to play.

The 24 year-old has been scorching hot at the plate in his 27 at-bats thus far, firmly putting him among the contenders for an outfield spot to start the 2019 season. In the first big league training camp with his new team, Mercado has a team-best 12 hits, including a double and a triple, and 3 home runs for 8 RBI. His slashline is an impressive .444/.444/.889. If he can sustain this momentum for another fortnight, Francona and the Indians will find it extremely difficult to resist picking him for the 25-man roster.

Indians beat reporter Mandy Bell tweeted Francona’s comments below:

Terry Francona on Oscar Mercado: “My goodness, he’s really giving himself a chance because he’s so athletic to begin with, but when it starts carrying over to the batter’s box, man that’s fun to watch.”

— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) March 10, 2019

Mercado appears to be stealing the show every time he’s in the lineup. Another memorable moment came on Sunday afternoon, a monster home run off Felix Hernandez during a 16-2 rout of the Mariners. I was relaxing with the game on TV, casually watching the third inning of yesterday’s game, when the crack of Mercado’s bat jolted me to attention. I saw the ball arcing deep into center field, the outfielders gazing helplessly at it, before it finally crashed high off the outfield wall for a prodigious solo homer. The right-handed hitting Mercado went 3-for-3 in the game overall, and the Indians could really benefit from a righty in a very lefty-dominated team.

Perhaps it’s too early to expect Mercado to make the leap straight from Triple-A to a starting spot on the Opening Day roster. 2018 was only his first year at the Triple-A level after all, so his experience with top-level pitchers has been limited. Also, y’know, spring training numbers have never been a great indicator for regular season performance. As much as I would love to see him start the year in the Cleveland outfield, I know deep down his development could be better served with a month or two in Columbus. The club has Mercado under control for at least the next six years, so there’s no need to rush him, especially when the AL Central is predicted to be so uncompetitive again.

Having said that, if he’s performing better than the current alternatives, shouldn’t he be given an opportunity? Would I prefer Mercado shadowing Martin in a corner outfield spot on Opening Day over the likes of Luplow and Naquin?

Absolutely.

Wherever he winds up on Opening Day, be it Cleveland or Columbus, consider the British branch of the Oscar Mercado Fan Club officially open for business. I hope the youngster continues to dazzle us with his abilities and ultimately provides the club with a meaningful contribution over the coming months and 2019 season.

Getting To Know Yu: Shortstop Options

Indians star shortstop Francisco Lindor sustained a right calf strain late last week and the Cleveland fanbase experienced a temporary meltdown when the news broke. The injury does not appear to be too serious but will result in Lindor spending most of Spring Training rehabbing the injury, instead of getting his reps in ahead of the 2019 season opener against the Twins on March 28.

The likely outcome is Lindor missing a week or two of the new season as he completes the rehabilitation process and fine-tunes his body so he can be inserted into the lineup upon his return, good as new. Even if Lindor participates in some late exhibition games, the club will probably want to ease him back rather than rush things in an effort to avoid long-term damage being done to their star player.

The Indians will now be considering their options at shortstop, and weighing up the potential candidates they could send out there in Lindor's stead. Thankfully they have all of Spring Training to assess who the replacement will be but I thought I might save them some time and analyse the contenders myself.

Without further ado, let's take a look:

Yu Chang

The Indians are excited about Chang, their number 6 prospect according to MLB.com. Chang spent 2018 with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers and registered a slashline of .256/.330/.411 with 13 home runs and 62 RBI over 457 at-bats. A very solid season by all accounts and reports indicate the Taiwanese native is primed for promotion to Cleveland in the not-too-distant future.

Unfortunately for Chang, a natural shortstop, his position will always be blocked by Lindor. Aware of this clash, the Indians are exploring the idea of Chang shifting over to third base to continue his development. The experiment began this winter with the 23 year-old manning the hot corner in the Arizona Fall League, and he hit an impressive .337 with 4 home runs and 17 RBI, for a .919 OPS. Chang was voted to the AFL’s Top Prospect team, alongside third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the top prospect in baseball.

With his future at third base on the horizon, Chang's immediate contribution to the team could be better suited as a fill-in for Lindor until the Puerto Rican returns. It would give the youngster his first taste of the big leagues, at the position he feels most comfortable, and once Lindor is back he could continue his third base education at Columbus if the club still wish to pursue that option.

Ultimately, there is no rush for the Tribe to promote Chang early, but he does seem to be ready for the opportunity.

Ryan Flaherty

Flaherty, a non-roster invitee recently signed to a minor league deal, was picked up by the Indians thanks to his versatile skillset, having spent time at all four infield positions over the course of his 7 year career. Flaherty has only ever featured as a part-time player and is now on his third ballclub (having spent most of his career in Baltimore).

The 32-year-old spent last season in Atlanta and slashed. .217/.298/.292 over 81 games for the Braves but didn't feature at shortstop. Not known for his proficiency at the plate, the veteran's career slashline is a somewhat underwhelming but serviceable .216/.286/.347.

If Flaherty is able to impress management during the spring then his utility abilities could persuade them to begin the year with him on the roster, possibly even filling in for Lindor. Should Lindor only be expected to miss days and not weeks, it's a decision I could live with in the short-term, provided Flaherty can perform admirably.

Eric Stamets

The 27 year-old Ohio native joined the club in 2015, as part of the trade that sent David Murphy to the Angels, but has yet to take the field in a Cleveland uniform.

Stamets spent 2018 sharing shortstop duties with Chang in Columbus and reports indicate he displays above-average skills with the glove (Fangraphs in particular have always rated him). He split his time equally between short and second base so he has plenty of experience in the middle of the infield, having spent the majority of the past three years at the Triple-A level.

Offensively, he didn't make quite the same impact as Chang. Over 78 games Stamets hit .202 with 5 home runs and 16 RBI. Of more concern might be his disappointing 6.7 BB% and strikeout rate of 23.4%, resulting in a 0.29 BB/K ratio.

He is clearly on the management's radar for immediate playing time in Cleveland, as he owns a 40-man roster at the very least. Offensively, there isn't a great deal to suggest he is prepared for major league pitching, however he has probably learned all he can at the Triple-A level now. Similar to Flaherty, if Lindor is only expected to miss a couple of series then I wouldn't mind seeing Stamets given an opportunity - he's at the right stage of his career for a call-up. It would definitely be a feel-good story to see the local lad play for his favorite team.

Max Moroff

Moroff was added to the Indians roster in a November trade with the Pirates and will have his eye on winning the utility spot this spring, despite direct competition from the likes of Flaherty and Stamets. The idea of replacing Lindor probably didn't cross Moroff's mind but he is one of the contenders.

Moroff didn't feature much for the Pirates in 2018, splitting time between PNC Park and Triple-A Indianapolis. When he was in Pittsburgh the switch-hitter batted .186 with 3 home runs over 67 plate appearances, and logged innings at shortstop, second base and third base.

When the Indians traded for him I assumed he would primarily be the backup for Jason Kipnis at second base, alongside a regular utility role (should he make the team). With the news of Lindor's injury though, Moroff could see himself receiving significant Spring Training time at shortstop, especially considering he no longer carries any remaining Minor League options.

The 25 year-old's versatility in the infield will stand him in good stead with management, but ultimately I think he will need to beat out his rivals Flaherty and Stamets to secure his place in the dugout on Opening Day. Should be he successful, Moroff could be ideally suited to replace Lindor in the short-term, and then stay with the team as a useful bench player.

--------------------------------------

At the major league level all four of these potential Lindor replacements are very lightweight with the bat, excluding Chang and Stamets who haven't made it that far yet (although Stamets has been pretty lightweight in the minors too). Therefore, it's highly unlikely the Indians can replace Lindor's offensive output with these internal solutions. Not many teams can find 38 home runs, 25 stolen bases, a 131 OPS+ and 7.6 WAR out of thin air.

What they can do is choose someone who will be reliable in the field and pose at least some threat at the plate, even if that is at a replacement player level. The Indians are predicted to go unchallenged again in the AL Central, thanks to the majority of their rivals still rebuilding, so losing Lindor in the short-term shouldn't be a serious setback. Losing some games in April can be overcome further down the road.

With the Indians' supremacy in the division seemingly under control, it presents an opportunity for a player who might not normally get one at this time of year.

With that being said, I would be keen to see Chang get the nod to play shortstop until Lindor returns.

In the long run it could be far more beneficial to present a prospect like Chang with his first taste of the majors in a relatively pressure-free environment, as opposed to trotting out a part-time veteran who isn't likely to feature in the club's long term plans.

My preference to be the Indians' Opening Day shortstop would be, in order:

• Chang
• Stamets
• Moroff
• Flaherty

Yandy Diaz Makes Opening Day Roster

Yandy Diaz, the Indians' 25 year-old Cuban infielder, has been on an absolute tear this spring and he has been rewarded for his hard work with a position on the Opening Day roster, which was made official yesterday. With a roster spot looking unlikely when players reported for spring training, Diaz appeared just happy to be part of it all. When the news broke that second baseman Jason Kipnis would miss the first few weeks of the 2017 season, current third baseman Jose Ramirez was almost instantly lined up to fill in. This opened the gates for the rest of the Tribe's infielders to compete for the suddenly vacant slot at third and it was Mr Diaz who was announced the winner, and deservedly so.

Most outsiders would have thought with the Indians possessing such a strong pitching staff, the safe choice would have been to opt for the best defensive third baseman, which would be Giovanny Urshela. The 25 year-old Colombian is the unanimous pick when you consider his glove, but it's been his hitting in the past that has held him back. In his defense Urshela hasn't been bad with the bat this spring but he hasn't had quite the same impact as Diaz either.

Diaz doesn't have the experience Urshela has at third base but he's been putting in a lot of work at the hot corner over the last year or so, with some time spent in the outfield as well. Manager Terry Francona has acknowledged that Diaz's defense isn't the finished article but his bat is likely to compensate for any deficiencies he may have in the field.

Despite battling a groin injury, Diaz has slashed .444/.537/.667 (BA/OBP/SLG) for a staggering 1.204 OPS over 19 Cactus League games. He has clubbed 2 homers and 14 RBI, with 8 walks and a solo stolen base for good measure. Offensively, he's been the best Indians hitter this spring and has impressed everyone in the organisation. They say you should never get too worked up over spring training numbers but in Diaz's case, what more could he have done to force his case?

Francona said it himself yesterday; "We've all seen guys who have hit in spring training. But if you look at Yandy last year ... at the end of the season we were trying to figure out a place for his bat. That's why he was going to the outfield... So this isn't a kid who has 45 at-bats and has never hit. He's been a good hitter and he's becoming a better hitter. There are no guarantees that somebody gets hits the first week of the season. We know that, but he sure looks like a good hitter."

Last season Diaz was a revelation and quickly rose up through the prospect rankings. The 2016 International League Rookie of the Year spent time at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, slashing a combined .318/.408/.446 between the two levels. Diaz drew 71 walks compared to 86 strikeouts in 2016, and has 198 walks to 191 strikeouts for his entire career thus far, an impressive ratio. He continued his remarkable form over the winter, batting .371 in 40 games for Caracas in Venezuela.

I'm not expecting Diaz to light up the league right away but with Urshela starting the season in Columbus, Yandy should get the chance to start games more often than not. Until Kipnis returns from injury to resume his second base duties, Diaz's only threat for playing time will be Michael Martinez (who I don't envision getting many starts, especially not at third base) and Jose Ramirez (only on days where someone else is spelling him at second.)

Hopefully Yandy can remember to pack his hot bat with him when the Indians depart Arizona. His hitting statistics in his short professional career thus far have been sensational so theoretically his skill-set should translate well to the majors. I'm excited to see him on the roster nonetheless and I think he could catch casual fans by surprise.

Thanks for reading.

Bat Flips & Nerds Podcast - Indians Preview

I was recently asked to feature on the Bat Flips & Nerds baseball podcast, a uniquely British take on the American Pastime. John, Darius, Ben and Tom have been doing a fantastic job and produced some really high quality content since they launched their podcast and website just over 7 months ago. I was honoured to be asked to come on and talk about the Indians ahead of the 2017 campaign.

Give this episode a listen and be sure to check out the rest of their pods too!

Taking Care Of Kipnis: 2B Options

When it was announced recently that Jason Kipnis was going to miss some time with a shoulder injury, fans started to worry. Not outright panic but cautious concern. Given Michael Brantley's shoulder struggles over the past couple of years, it's definitely understandable to be concerned. Kipnis will likely miss out on making the Opening Day lineup, and the Indians are doing the right thing protecting their All Star second baseman. Kipnis himself has said if this injury had occurred mid-season he could have probably played through the pain but it's better to make sure he's 100% before any long term damage can be done.

With that being said, Terry Francona and crew are already looking at their options to fill Kipnis' boots on Opening Day, and I am going to do the same thing. Let's take a look at some of the guys the Tribe can send out there:

Jose Ramirez

Considered by most to be the clear favourite to take Kipnis' place, Ramirez could slide over from his home at third base with relative ease. The versatile 24 year-old has spent time in many different positions and shown he can fill in adequately all over the infield, so second base is no stranger to him.

There is some hesitation on Francona's part however: "I think our first choice is not to (move him to second), but we'll see," the skipper said. After a few years as the Indians' utility man, Ramirez seemed to have found a nice home for himself at third base so I understand why the club are unwilling to shift him around again, especially off the back of a superb 2016 performance. In a perfect world Ramirez could use 2017 to really make third base his own but he's also the best option where this particular problem is concerned.

If Ramirez is chosen to replace Kipnis then it leaves a hole at third base. Thankfully this is a position where the Indians have some depth. Giovanny Urshela is my choice to fill Ramirez's spot and it could be a great opportunity for the 25 year-old Colombian to showcase his skills. We've seen in the past what a defensive wizard he is at the hot corner but his bat has always held him back from sticking in the bigs full time. Urshela has only appeared in 9 games for the Indians so far this spring but has hit well (he's spent the rest of the spring with the Colombian team at the WBC). He spent all of 2016 at Triple-A Columbus and had a decent year, slashing .274/.294/.380 (BA/OBP/SLG) with 8 home runs and 57 RBI over 117 games for the Clippers. I'm a huge Urshela fan and would love to see him have an impact with the club this season, so seeing him feature early on would be a plus.

The other candidate to fill in at third would be Yandy Diaz, who I wrote about recently. Diaz has been limited this spring with a right groin issue (just 8 appearances), which has likely hindered his chances to crack the Opening Day roster. I'm excited about Diaz's future in Cleveland but he's almost certain to start 2017 with Columbus, given he has no major league experience. It would be a big test for the rookie to chuck him in the deep end on Opening Day, whereas Urshela has been tried and tested.

Erik Gonzalez, Michael Martinez, Ronny Rodriguez

This trio from the Dominican Republic are Ramirez's closest competition for the second base spot. If Francona is truly against moving Ramirez from third base then one of these guys will likely be partnering Francisco Lindor on Opening Day.

So far all three of these gentlemen have seen about the same amount of action thus far this spring but let's take a look at them individually.

Erik Gonzalez is probably the best option to spell Kipnis until the All Star is ready to return, plus he's already on the 40-man roster, unlike Martinez and Rodriguez. Cleveland's number 8 prospect saw some time in the majors last year, although he only had two starts over a 21 game span where he was almost always used to pinch hit/run in the late innings. In his limited time at the plate he didn't hit well but then I wouldn't have expected him to given how rarely he got the opportunity. Down in Columbus however he was much more productive, slashing .296/.329/.450 with 11 home runs and 53 RBI, good enough for a 122 WRC+. Gonzalez is a natural shortstop but his path to the majors will be blocked for many years to come by Francisco Lindor. Second base is going to be Gonzalez's best opportunity to show off his abilities because if the Indians don't have a future place for him, somebody else will and they'll be willing to trade. If the young infielder is given the chance to play well and put himself in the shop window, then that will only serve to benefit both himself and the club. Gonzalez is certainly a safe choice if Kipnis isn't expected to miss significant time, and he can easily be optioned back to Columbus.

Michael Martinez is the veteran option and you pretty much know what you're going to get where he's concerned. The 34 year-old has spent 6 years in the majors and is now on his second stint with the Tribe. Francona has always supported Martinez, despite the player having his many detractors, and trusts him in late inning situations. He's a career .197 switch-hitter and most often suited to a bench role, but his versatility in the field makes him useful in a crisis. I would argue that the Indians have better options than Martinez and despite his usefulness, the club should be looking to move forward without him.

Ronny Rodriguez is the wildcard in this pack. He, like Martinez, is also of the utility infielder category but I just can't envision Francona opting for Rodriguez as his starting second baseman over the other options he has at his disposal. As Rodriguez is the least experienced of this trio, his chances of filling in for Kipnis are slim at best.

---------------------------------------

Ultimately the Indians and their fans will be hoping Kipnis' absence is brief and his replacement just a temporary visitor at second base. If he has to miss some time, even if just for a few weeks, I'd be much more comfortable with Ramirez covering for him, and Urshela being given a chance at third base. If Francona doesn't want to unsettle Ramirez on the corner, then I'd like to see Gonzalez be given a chance as an everyday player. He certainly looks the best option, at least defensively, and will likely emerge victorious from his battle with his compatriots.

Thanks for reading.

Center Of Attention: A Discussion

For the first year in a long time the Indians' roster is fairly settled across the board heading into spring training. The lineup is strong and the pitching is top notch but there is always room for improvement. One particular area of uncertainly is in center field; with Michael Brantley penciled in left field (once healthy) and the effective platoon partnership of Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer in right field, it's the men in the middle who currently present the outfield's biggest question mark. In this post I'm going to have a look at the Indians' current options ahead of the 2017 season.

The Current Crop

Currently atop the center field depth chart sits Tyler Naquin. The 25 year-old finished third on the AL Rookie of the Year ballot last season after exploding onto the scene during spring training. Naquin took his opportunity last spring and ran with it; he played in 116 games and batted .296/.372/.514 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with 14 home runs, culminating in an impressive 135 WRC+ and 2.5 WAR. Naquin was especially effective against right handed pitchers and slashed .301/.372/.526 in 289 at-bats (in fact he only faced a lefty 32 times). Not too shabby for a rookie and he'll be forever remembered for that unforgettable inside-the-park homer against the Jays. If he goes on to have a Hall of Fame career in Cleveland, you can already picture that fist pump immortalised as a statue.

Yet despite Naquin's prowess at the plate (and my wishful thinking), his defensive abilities leave something to be desired. This was noticeably obvious in Game 6 of the World Series but Naquin's flaws in the field were evident throughout the regular season as well. According to Fangraphs, Naquin graded as the second worst defensive center fielder in the majors with a -17 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved). Now I don't entirely trust defensive metrics as I feel action in the field, especially somewhere so open like the outfield, can be hard to quantify with accuracy, but the numbers don't make for pretty reading. Even the casual fans among us noticed that his routes to the ball were rather, err, wobbly all season. Even so, he rarely looked like a complete novice out there, despite what the numbers would indicate. When you weigh up the pros and cons, overall I felt that Naquin's bat compensated for his mistakes in the field.

Naquin's closest rival is Abraham Almonte, who this time last year was the clear favorite to play center field on Opening Day. That was before it emerged Almonte had violated the MLB Drug Policy and was suspended for 80 games, paving the way for Naquin's emergence. Almonte returned to the team on July 3rd and played in 67 games, slashing .264/.294/401 over that span and played solid defense. He had a decent stretch as a starter in August and September but was eventually relegated to a pinch hitting role as the regular season came to an end, due to his postseason ineligibility.

Unless Naquin struggles right out of the gate (he was looking more and more susceptible to high fastballs as 2016 progressed) and Almonte gets off to a fast start, I can't see the 27 year-old Dominican becoming the permanent center fielder for a while. He'll likely platoon with Naquin and probably play some left field until Brantley is ready to take over full time again. I grew to really like Almonte in 2015 when his addition to the club jolted the team to life but his 2016 suspension left a sour taste in the mouth, even if it turns out he was innocent. Almonte will be hoping for a lot of reps this spring so he can stake a claim for center field but I can't see Naquin regressing to such an extent that he's not gonna be the everyday guy out there to start 2017.

The Outsiders

Naquin and Almonte should feel pretty secure in their jobs but they will face some outside competition this spring; some men will have their eyes on that center field spot whereas other will satisfy themselves with a place on the roster.

Austin Jackson signed a minor league deal with the Tribe just prior to his 30th birthday and the veteran outfielder will be hoping for a late present, a spot on the Opening Day roster wrapped in a box with a bow on top. Jackson only managed 54 appearances in 2016, thanks to a left knee injury that ruled him out of action from June onward. He's a career .272 hitter and has primarily featured in center field during that time. I think Jackson could be a very useful addition to the team. He'll start the spring with a point to prove, to show the league he can still be a productive everyday player for a top ballclub. He certainly lends some much needed depth to the outfield at the very least but he'll likely need an injury from a rival or a drop in performance to firmly earn his place.

As it currently stands the only other outfielder on a minor league contract with hopes of making the team is Daniel Robertson (unless Wily Mo Pena wants to return to center field!). The 31 year-old journeyman outfielder has primarily featured in left field so won't realistically be expected to figure much in center. Robertson played in just 9 games last year for the Mariners in 2016 but had a decent season at AAA Tacoma. With all of the Indians' other outfield options, I don't see Robertson featuring for the Indians on Opening Day and unless injury strikes, I don't imagine we'll see him figure at all in 2017.

The Prospects

Last but not least we come to the prospects. These guys have been cooking nicely down on the farm but are they ready for a big league job?

The honest answer is no, they probably are not. The top dog for the center field job is Bradley Zimmer, who has been developing nicely in recent years. I've already covered Zimmer and his chances of making the team in part two of my spring wishlist, which you can read here. I think Zimmer will need a bit more maturing in Columbus this year before he's fully prepped for the show. A September call-up should be his goal in 2017, although a nice showing this spring wouldn't hurt his chances.

Greg Allen is the Tribe's dark horse to take over center field in the next year or so and the young speedster received a spring training invite for his sterling work in the minors last season. The 6th round pick from the 2014 MLB draft announced himself in a big way in 2016, leading all of minor league baseball in runs with 119. That's completely insane considering he has yet to reach the AAA level. The switch-hitting 23 year-old began the year at A+ Lynchburg before getting a promotion to AA Akron in late July but his performance didn't suffer at all. Between the two leagues he slashed .295/.416/.413 with 7 home runs, 44 RBI and 45 stolen bases (the highest in the Indians' entire system). You may as well call him Barry Allen as he's so frickin' fast on the basepaths.

Allen had 77 walks to 78 strikeouts, a fantastic ratio and the polar opposite to Zimmer (77 walks to 171 strikeouts). So far in his career Allen has displayed all the attributes of a perfect leadoff hitter. He plays a superb center field too, collecting the 2016 MiLB Gold Glove award for that position, an impressive feat given Rawlings only award this to one guy in the entire minor leagues. Overall I think the dude is a surefire stud and fans should be paying attention to Allen in 2017. He'll likely start the year in Akron but don't be surprised if he gets promoted to Columbus sooner rather than later. Here's hoping we get to see a September cameo from him before the season concludes.

The final center field prospect is Yandy Diaz but realistically he's unlikely to compete for that position this year, if ever. I took a look at Diaz when I analysed Zimmer and despite how versatile and effective Diaz has been throughout his career thus far, his time in center has been limited. He played all of 2 innings there in Columbus, the first time he's featured in center in his professional career. Whilst I think Diaz may have a future in the outfield ahead of him, it's more than likely going to be in the corners.

--------------------------------------

Who do you think will claim the center field mantle in 2017? Can Naquin rediscover his early 2016 form and fend off the future advances of prospects like Zimmer and Allen? Or will Almonte and the other veterans elevate themselves during the spring and force their way into Francona's plans? Or could the position feature a revolving door of candidates, rotating in and out of center field depending on whether they're hot or cold?

Whatever happens the center field position should be a topic of conversation all year long.

Thanks for reading.

2017 Spring Training Wishlist: Part 3

Here we are, at the third and final part of my look at the Indians ahead of Spring Training, and what I want to see from them before the 2017 season begins.

In this installment I'll look at the pitching staff, an area of real strength for the Indians in recent years.

Bullpen Just Got Better

When you have a guy like Andrew Miller in your pen, then you're already looking pretty good. But when you add a proven arm like Boone Logan, then things are looking downright unfair for opposition hitters. Pair those guys with the likes of Cody Allen, Dan Otero and Bryan Shaw, and you've got the makings of an elite bullpen.

When the Indians confirmed the signing of Logan on 7th February to a 1 year deal rumored to be worth $5.5 million, the team upgraded in a big way. Logan has a superb record against left handers, with lefties batting just .139 against him in 2016, with a brilliant .222 on-base percentage too. And this is from a guy who pitched in Colorado, a notorious hitter's haven with that mile-high air they have. With Miller planning to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, we might see Logan used a bit more this spring, although I'd rather he be saved for the season ahead ideally.

Ultimately there isn't a lot of competition in the bullpen this spring, not for key contributors at least. A couple of fringe pitchers will be hoping to catch on with the team when they fly to Texas for Opening Day. Guys like Zach McAllister, Ryan Merritt, Nicky Goody, Shawn Armstrong and Carlos Frias (plus a few more) will be battling it out for the final spot or two, depending on how many arms Francona wants to break camp with. Despite Merritt's postseason heroics I think the skipper will opt for the veteran McAllister, provided Zach doesn't self-destruct in Arizona, plus he's just been paid handsomely by avoiding arbitration. However I would like to see Merritt in particular have a great spring, as I'm keen to see him pitch some meaningful innings this season. Start and you mean to go on and all that.

Rotation: Steady As A Rock

The Indians return the entirety of their rotation for 2017 and there's not going to be a great deal of competition here, provided everyone stays healthy. The group is led by ace Corey Kluber, who narrowly missed out on winning the 2016 AL Cy Young award. Kluber had a stellar season, pitching 215 innings over 32 starts to a 3.14 ERA for an AL leading 149 ERA+ and 3.26 FIP.

Kluber is flanked by Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, both exciting and valuable pitchers who suffered from health issues in 2016, yet still provided meaningful innings. They'll both be out to prove their health and abilities are back to 100%.

Backing up the rotation are current incumbents Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin, who had decent if not spectacular campaigns last year. Despite Bauer's notorious drone issues (and dubious political views), he actually had a solid 2016; his walks were down to a career low 3.32 BB/9, a nice trend for any pitcher to continue going forward, and his groundball rate increased to 48,7%, which was nice to see from Bauer considering his past history of giving up homers. Tomlin had a very impressive start to 2016, going undefeated until the end of May, but when the dog days of summer took hold Tomlin fell off a cliff; he lost 5 straight in August and his ERA and home runs rocketed.

The challengers to Bauer and Tomlin are likely to be Mike Clevinger, Cody Anderson and Ryan Merritt. I rate Clevinger a lot and would really enjoy seeing him push for a spot in the rotation. The 26 year-old Jacksonville native had mixed results in Cleveland last year, compiling a 5.26 ERA in 17 appearances, 10 of which were starts. He found a lot more success in Columbus, with a 3.00 ERA in 17 starts, with an 11-1 record over that span. A hot spring in 2017 would earn him another look at cracking the big league roster but he'll have to be lights-out to get there.

Whereas Anderson is very much on the outside looking in. This time last year he was a shoe-in for a rotation spot after a breakout 2015 campaign (3.05 ERA in 15 starts, for a 141 ERA+). However a sub-par 2016 followed and now his future looks cloudy. Is he better off aiming for a bullpen spot or biding his time in Columbus as a starter? Anderson had off-season elbow surgery so hopefully he's put his 2016 demons to rest and he can return to that 2015 form that made him so effective. He'll need some impressive spring showings to prove his best days are still ahead of him.

I've mentioned Merritt before but honestly I don't see him making the rotation until later in the year, even if he has a quality spring. Ideally he can impress over the next couple of months and turn that momentum into a June/July call-up with an aim to stick around permanently.

----------------------------------------------

That's a wrap, and just in time too as pitchers and catchers reported yesterday, the first sign that baseball is officially back. We've got just under 2 months of exhibition baseball to enjoy/endure before the Indians start their work for real. It's a pleasure to have them back.

Thanks for reading.

2017 Spring Training Wishlist: Part 2

Welcome back to part two of my Indians' Spring Training wishlist, where I have a gander at what's going on for our Cleveland club in Arizona this spring. In this installment, we'll look at a couple of the team's top prospects and what I'd like to see from them going forward.

Bradley Zimmer

Zimmer is currently considered by most to be the Indians' number one prospect (although catcher Francisco Mejia is running him close), and was recently deemed so by ESPN's Keith Law, coming in at number 22 on his top 100 list (ahead of Mejia, at number 40). Drafted 21st overall in the 2014 MLB Draft, the 24 year-old center fielder has steadily progressed up the minor league ladder, impressing at every level with his slugging prowess and base stealing ability. He also projects as an above-average defender in one of the hardest positions on the field, and could potentially stick in center for many years to come. Zimmer is at the stage in his development where he's very close to a call-up to the show, and now he's earned a big league invite to Spring Training for the first time in his career.

I've read and heard a lot of hype surrounding Zimmer so I'm excited to see what he might bring to the team, even in meaningless spring exhibition games. It's this time of year fans starting projecting their dreams onto prospects just like Zimmer and it's in the land of "what-if" where we get carried away.

Zimmer spent 2016 between AA Akron and AAA Columbus, with the majority of his time being in Akron. Between the two levels Zimmer hit .250/.365/.425 (BA/OBP/SLG) with 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 77 walks, and an impressive 38 stolen bases. By all accounts Zimmer is considered to be on the right path to being a successful big league player for the Indians.

However as Zimmer has risen through each level, so have his strikeouts. It's a somewhat worrying trend, even in an age where many major leaguers can strike out a lot and still be important contributors to their club. After his promotion to AAA Columbus, Zimmer's strikeout rate topped out at 37.3% (per Fangraphs) and his long swing, despite producing good power, is missing way too often for most fan's liking. It's a concern for sure; if Zimmer is whiffing this much in the minor leagues, what chance does he stand against major league arms?

I hope to see him play well this spring but I don't realistically expect him to make the Opening Day roster. With Tyler Naquin, Abraham Almonte, Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer all currently on the active roster, and Michael Brantley's return on the horizon as well, there won't be much room for Zimmer anyway. I'll be content to see some flashes of brilliance but ultimately find his way back to Columbus. I think a full season at AAA could work wonders, and hopefully help to iron out his strikeout issues.

Yandy Diaz

25 year-old Diaz is another prospect with an invite to Spring Training. The 2016 International League Rookie of the Year spent time at AA Akron and AAA Columbus, slashing a combined .318/.408/.446 between the two levels. Diaz was such a revelation that he was even considered for promotion to the Indians last September. He continued his remarkable form over the winter, hitting .371 in 40 games in Venezuela.

The young Cuban has rocketed through the minor leagues since his acquisition in late 2013. It's extraordinary that in just a couple of years he's climbed so high in such a short space of time.

Diaz has an opportunity to find his way onto the Opening Day roster via a similar route that Jose Ramirez took only a few years ago. Like the versatile Ramirez, Diaz can play a multitude of positions. In 2016 alone he played five different positions between the infield and outfield, seeing action at 2B, 3B, LF, RF and CF. This diversity will serve him well in the short term, although I'd prefer to see him stick to an infield spot in the coming years, although he could wind up in a corner outfield position too.

An area where Diaz really shines over his fellow prospects is his great eye at the plate, with 71 walks compared to 86 strikeouts in 2016, and 198 walks to 191 strikeouts for his entire career thus far, an impressive ratio. He's yet to develop much power but I feel his plate discipline and overall ability to create contact more than make up for that.

Ultimately, depending on his spring performance, I'd like to see Diaz given a shot and make the Opening Day roster. I know Francona has a thing for Michael Martinez as his utility guy but I just feel Diaz has the potential to offer so much more. He can spot the corner outfielders if injuries strike or poor performances necessitate a change, and if Kipnis needs a day off at second base then Ramirez can cover there and Diaz can play third. Of course there is a case to be made that Diaz would be better off receiving regular playing time in Columbus rather than sitting on the bench in Cleveland but honestly, after such a great 2016, what does he have left to prove there?

Whatever happens down the road, I'm eager to see Diaz in action in Arizona.

--------------------------------------

That's a wrap on part two. I'll be back soon with the third part, where I'll be focusing on the Indians' pitching staff.

Thanks for reading.

2017 Spring Training Wishlist: Part 1

Baseball, played by actual baseball players, will be with us once again in a few week's time. And with that comes excitement, anticipation and expectations. Cleveland had a remarkable 2016, and they came oh so close to winning the World Series. Just getting that far was beyond my wildest dreams but to come up just short really hurt.

As a result, expectations for 2017 are higher than ever, especially when you consider the big free agent addition of Edwin Encarnacion. I'm hesitant to say it's World Series or bust this season but there's a definite feeling that the club need to capitalise on this momentum and ensure they are as competitive as possible during their best player's prime years.

With that being said and with Spring Training so tantalisingly close, here are some of the things I want to see from the Indians before the 2017 season gets underway for real:

A Healthy Michael Brantley

There's a sense of déjà vu this Spring Training where Brantley is concerned. This time last year the Indians' outfielder was busy rehabbing his right shoulder but it never felt entirely right, limiting Brantley to just 11 games in late April and early May before being shut down entirely in August for another trip to the operating table. That pesky shoulder of his never healed properly but hopefully it's been fully repaired this off-season.

So far in 2017, Brantley has made no promises on a return date and is wise to do so. Slow and steady is the motto this year, and any action he sees over the Spring is a bonus. I would love for him to get some much-needed reps in the Arizona sunshine but not at the expense of losing him during the summer. He's been my favorite Indians player for some time now and the team are undoubtedly a stronger force when he's in the lineup. Just think, we won the pennant without him. How good might we be when he's back to his near-MVP best?

Stability At Catcher

Yan Gomes has not had a good time of it lately. Coming off the back of a stellar 2014 campaign with an AL Silver Slugger award in his back pocket, big things were expected of Gomes. It seemed we finally had a replacement for Victor Martinez, and he was locked down on a long-term deal at a great price, 6 years for $23 million.

However since his breakthrough Gomes has been in sharp decline, and his bat has all but disappeared. Injuries have definitely taken their toll, and really hindered his ability to escape from some of those slumps that ate away at his stats. Whether it was his knee, his shoulder, or a fractured hand, nothing went Gomes' way between 2015-2016. His batting average the past two years is a combined .205, with just 22 walks to 173 strikeouts in that span. The rest of his stats don't make for pretty reading either (a .240 OBP - ouch).

To make matters worse, Gomes' understudy Roberto Perez proved to be more than adequate in Gomes' absence. As adept defensively as Gomes (Perez had a defensive rating of 6.9 compared to Gomes' 7.0, per Fangraphs), Perez also had some major moments with the bat, mostly in the postseason. However over the course of the 2016 regular season, Perez wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire, with a subpar .183/.285/.294 (BA/OBP/SLG) batting line in just 61 games played.

It's safe to say that the catching position wasn't a strength for the Indians in 2016, at least not offensively. So with that in mind, I'm just looking for some stability from our catchers this year. I think a healthy Gomes is more likely to provide this; if he can be at least average at the plate, when you combine that with his strong defensive work then the catching position can once again be a key contributor to this squad. I'm still very happy with the solid Perez in the backup spot, but should Gomes falter and not recover, then it would be interesting to see what Perez could do as a starter over a full season.

Both players had better get their acts into gear though, as 21 year-old top prospect Francisco Mejia is hot on their heels. The young Dominican catcher, recently ranked the 18th best prospect in all of baseball by ESPN's Keith Law, put on a show in 2016, slashing .342/.382/.514 with 11 homers and 80 RBI between A-ball Lake County and A+ Lynchburg. Mejia rose to minor-league fame thanks to his DiMaggio-like hitting streak, batting safely in 50 straight games to announce himself to the masses. He'll likely start 2017 at AA Akron so Gomes and Perez can rest easy for a little while, as Mejia is at least a year away from making his Indians debut. But Gomes and Perez cannot be complacent and must show signs of improving this year because in the long-run their days are numbered if they don't turn things around soon.

-----------------------------------------

That'll do for part one of my 2017 Spring wishlist. I'll return soon with part two.

Thanks for reading.

Spring Training 2016 Part 2: Bullpen

With Spring Training finally here, we now get to see some signs of what this 2016 Indians team has in store for us.

Yesterday I looked at the position players, primarily focusing on the abominable outfield situation. Today I'm going to talk about Cleveland's relief pitchers and who can win jobs this March.

A Sigh Of Relief: The Bullpen

In 2015 the Indians bullpen posted a 3.12 ERA, the second lowest in the American League, only bested by the eventual champs Kansas City (a 2.72 ERA). The relief unit was a serious strength in Cleveland, led by Cody Allen (2.99 ERA and 34 saves), Bryan Shaw (2.94 ERA in 64 IP), Zach McAllister (3.00 ERA in 69 IP) and Jeff Manship, who was a revelation (0.92 ERA in 39.1 IP). Assuming these four men are locked in, that only leaves approximately 3-4 open spots, probably 4 given that manager Terry Francona is keen on carrying an extra reliever.

Let's look at the contenders, starting with the right-handers:

Austin Adams, Shawn Armstrong and Dan Otero are all on the 40 man roster at this time.

Adams spent most of 2015 with the big club and pitched well, compiling a 3.78 ERA over 33.1 innings. Adams attacks hitters with an upper 90s tailing fastball and has a slider that confuses hitters as it's more of a slurve. Unless he has a terrible Spring he should stand a good chance to be on the roster come Opening Day.

The same goes for Armstrong, who pitched just 8 innings at the MLB level in 2015, but performed well (a 2.25 ERA with a 12.38 K/9). He was even better at AAA, where over 49.2 innings he had an outstanding 14.50 K/9 and a 2.36 ERA with 16 saves. He'd need to be something awful this month not to be on the Opening Day roster.

That leaves Otero, who was picked up from the Phillies in December for cash and is coming off a poor 2015, pitching a sky-high 6.75 ERA over 46.2 innings. However Otero was untouchable as recently as 2014 when he was one of Oakland's top bullpen arms (a 2.28 ERA over 86.2 innings) and he's a groundball pitcher through and through, a factor possibly in his favor with our renewed infield defense. Otero will be looking to bounce back with the Tribe but he'll need an impressive Spring to get back on track.

On the outside looking in is a group of righties on minor league deals, and there might be a diamond in the rough among them. Joba Chamberlain, Felipe Paulino, Craig Stammen and Jarrett Grube will be looking to catch the club's eye this month (or catch on with someone else).

Chamberlain is on his fourth team in the last year, and he didn't pitch exceptionally well in 2015 (4.88 ERA in 27.2 major league innings). He did lose a bunch of weight over the winter but his chances of cracking the Indians roster are slim.

Paulino last pitched in the majors for the White Sox in 2014 and spent all of 2015 with the Cubs' AAA farm team in Iowa, starting 20 games and pitching to a 4.93 ERA over 104 innings with 83 strikeouts. He's aiming for a spot in the bullpen but like Chamberlain, he'll need a remarkable Spring to show the Indians staff that he can be a valuable reliever. He wasn't exactly lighting up AAA.

Stammen missed nearly all of 2015 due to a right flexor tendon tear but has been a stellar reliever in the past, and was a workhorse between 2012 and 2014 (if there is such a thing as a bullpen "workhorse"), leading MLB relievers with 242.2 innings pitched, with a 2.93 ERA over this stretch. He probably stands the best chance of upsetting the current group and winning a roster spot, provided he can prove his health.

Grube is 34 years-old and pitched half of 2015 in Mexico and the other half in AAA Columbus. He was very effective, especially with the Clippers, posting a 2.26 ERA over 79.2 innings, starting 13 games. However, despite showing he's still got some spark, Grube is most likely a depth arm at this stage in his career and will likely wind up back in Columbus as a mentor to the young arms on the farm. He'd need a phenomenal Spring to make the club but who knows, he could provide some value if he carries that AAA form to the MLB stage.

One right-handed pitcher I've neglected to mention who is almost guaranteed a spot is Tommy Hunter. The 29 year-old veteran signed with the club a few weeks ago, a one-year deal worth $2 million. He's recovering from surgery so will miss Spring Training but could be with the team by late April. With the money invested, he'll get a shot in the major league bullpen once he's healthy. The powerful Hunter pitched 60.1 innings between Baltimore and Chicago in 2015, posting a 4.18 ERA.

Now, let's look at the lefties:

The Tribe currently have Giovanni Soto and Kyle Crockett on the 40 man roster.

Soto made a brief stop in Cleveland in 2015, pitching 3.1 innings over 6 games and didn't allow a run. He spent the rest of the year in AAA Columbus, pitching 53.2 quality innings to a 2.68 ERA. I like Soto's chances to make the big club but I feel the 24 year-old could get overlooked in favor of a veteran. There's no harm in Soto earning more experience at AAA but he looks ready for MLB to my eyes.

Crockett on the other hand struggled in 2015, at both MLB and AAA levels. He had location issues and didn't look like the same pitcher as the impressive rookie in 2014. With the Tribe, Crockett threw 17.1 innings over 31 games, compiling a lackluster 4.08 ERA. In Columbus he was actually worse, a 5.97 ERA over 28.2 innings. Crockett's future is still bright but he needs a positive showing this Spring to make the big league roster. Otherwise he'll start the year in Columbus but will more than likely be back in Cleveland at some stage during the year.

A trio of veterans earned minor league deals this off-season and will compete for a lefty relief role with Crockett and Soto; Joe Thatcher, Ross Detwiler and Tom Gorzelanny will be looking to shine in Arizona.

Thatcher is 34 years-old and doesn't overpower hitters but outsmarts them instead. He split time between Houston and AAA Fresno, pitching relatively well at both stops. With the Astros he pitched 22.2 innings in 43 games to the tune of a 3.18 ERA. At this stage of his career you wonder if he'd settle for another year in Triple-A so if he doesn't break camp with Cleveland, expect Thatcher to catch on with someone else.

Detwiler, still just 29 years-old despite feeling like he's been around forever, didn't enjoy a great 2015. Split between Atlanta and Texas, Detwiler had a 7.25 ERA combined over 58.1 total innings in 41 games, including 7 starts. His days as a starter are likely over and he'll be considered strictly as a reliever by the Indians. He'll need to really turn things around if he harbors any hopes of staying long-term in Cleveland.

Last but not least is Tom Gorzelanny, the 33 year-old swingman who has been an effective arm since 2012 but took a step back last year. Gorzelanny spent most of 2015 in Detroit, throwing 39.1 innings in 48 games for a 5.95 ERA. He's another reclamation project that the Cleveland front office love so much but there's very little risk involved, as is the case with most of these guys. Hopefully his new arm slot will benefit him in his attempt to stay with the big league club.

---------------------------

That's my look at the bullpen. It's a lot of guys for only a handful of spots but if I had to start the season today I'd take Allen, Shaw, Manship, McAllister, Adams, Armstrong, Stammen, and Soto. I'd possibly take Thatcher or Crockett instead of Stammen at this point because one lefty in Soto probably isn't enough.

Next up will be a look at the rotation because despite a strong core, there's some business at the back end to be taken care of before April begins.

Thanks for reading.

Spring Training 2016 Part 1: Position Players

Spring Training is finally underway and MLB teams are playing baseball again. It is glorious. The wins and losses don't count but there's still a lot of important baseball to watch and discuss.

Your 2016 Cleveland Indians have a few questions to be answered before the season gets started in just under a month's time. Let's take a look at some talking points:

Who The Hell Is Playing The Outfield?

With the news last November that Michael Brantley underwent shoulder surgery, the already uncertain Indians outfield suddenly found itself without it's most important player. He's in camp seemingly ahead of schedule but the club are being cautious with his return. Although he could potentially be healthy for Opening Day, it's probably better in the long run if he makes a slow return during April before stepping up activities into May.

Then came the revelation that Abraham Almonte, likely the Tribe's starting center fielder, will miss the first 80 games of the season after testing positive for performing-enhancing drugs. And just like that, Cleveland's outfield situation went from bad to worse.

Which leads us to the biggest and most concerning question entering the 2016 season: who have Cleveland got to man the outfield?

With the center field job open, there's one candidate who can take this opportunity and run with it. Mr Tyler Wesley Naquin, come on down and collect your prize.

Naquin, the 15th pick in the 2012 draft out of Texas A&M, is now 24 years-old and will be 25 by the end of April. He bats left-handed, throws right-handed, and is currently ranked by Baseball America as the Indians' 6th best prospect. Naquin spent 2015 between AA Akron and AAA Columbus, playing 84 games with a .300/.381/.446 (BA/OBP/SLG) batting line, clubbing 7 home runs, 27 RBI, to go along with 13 stolen bases and 40 walks. He missed a lot of time due to injuries, first missing a chunk of time after colliding with the outfield wall in late July and then missing the rest of the season after mid-August with a hip injury.

Naquin is still a bit of an unknown developmentally. Will he a power hitter? His career numbers thus far don't indicate that will be the case. Can he steal bases? Yes, he can, but he's not exactly a speedster. What Naquin does do well is get on base and play a solid outfield defensively. His abilities don't get fans quite as excited as his fellow outfield prospects Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier, but Naquin could become a reliable option and more importantly, he could be that right now, whereas Zimmer and Frazier are still a year or two away in their progress.

This is where Naquin has the advantage. He has the experience Zimmer and Frazier lack, and now with Almonte and Brantley suddenly absent, this is Naquin's chance to show the club he can be an option in the future, and a good one at that. I'm rooting for him, and it'd be nice to see a homegrown draft pick become a key contributor to the team. If he has a successful Spring, then the skipper will have little choice but to keep him on the roster and make him a starter on Opening Day. It won't be the end of the world if he doesn't make the team out of camp, since he still has options to play at AAA, but it will definitely feel like a huge opportunity missed. Naquin just has to impress over these coming weeks. Easier said than done.

The alternatives to Naquin are a bit less inspiring. The likely candidates to play center field and man left field until Brantley returns are Rajai Davis and Collin Cowgill. Both players are good defensively but I'd probably lean towards Davis over Cowgill. Davis has the major league deal and his threat on the base paths gives him the edge. The Indians have invested nearly $5 million in him so you might as well see what he can offer. James Ramsey could also be an option here, after having a decent 2015 at AAA Columbus (.243/.327/.382 with 12 homers).

The dark horses for the outfield spots are Will Venable, recently signed to a minor league deal, Joey Butler, Robbie Grossman, Michael Choice, Shane Robinson and Zach Walters. Murderer's Row they most certainly are not...

Out of the bunch I'd like to see what Venable could bring, and I've rated him in the past. Whoever proves their worth, Terry Francona will have a wealth of platoon options this season. At the very least this Indians outfield has some depth to it.

On a positive note, right field has a sense of stability. After transitioning from third base midway through 2015, Lonnie Chisenhall looks to have made right field his own and despite his streaky bat, his defense is more than respectable.

There's Some New Guys In The Infield

The Indians signed Mike Napoli back in mid-December to be their everyday first baseman but recently upgraded third base with the addition of Juan Uribe, on a one-year deal worth $4.5 million.

Uribe joins the Tribe after a 2015 season in which he traveled a lot. Juan split his time between three teams last year, playing in LA for the Dodgers, before enduring a stint in Atlanta, and finally ending up in New York with the Mets, going all the way to the World Series with them. Uribe had a batting line of 253/.320/.417 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI, with a 104 wRC+ and 1.9 WAR.

Uribe will be 37 years-old by Opening Day and even if he hasn't got much left in the tank, his bat is still an improvement at third base over the young Giovanny Urshela, even if his glove isn't quite as good. Urshela flashed outstanding defense at the hot corner in 2015 but his offensive production still needs some work. With the signing of Uribe, it's almost certain that Urshela will open the season at AAA Columbus. This is probably for the best, as he can develop his bat away from the bright lights and pressure of the MLB stage. I'm a fan of Urshela and hope he can improve enough in 2016 that when Uribe likely departs after this season, Gio will be ready to step into his shoes.

I think the Indians will have no problems at all seeing Napoli and Uribe slot into this team. Both men bring a tonne of veteran experience and can be great mentors to the other young infielders on the club like Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis, Jose Ramirez and Jesus Aguilar.

Part of me would have liked to have seen the Tribe add David Freese over Uribe but Freese probably would have cost more and wanted a longer deal. I'm happy with the Uribe addition and I hope he can bring some much-needed offense to this lineup. Plus, there's something loveable about Uribe's face.

----------------------------

That'll do for the first part of this Spring Training preview/analysis/chit-chat. Up next I'll be taking a look at the questions surrounding the bullpen and the rotation, and who's in contention for those open spots.

Thanks for reading.

Photo credits to Jordan Bastian at MLB.com and Jonathan Quilter at Columbus Dispatch.