Indians Spring Training Begins

Pitchers and Catchers began working out Monday in Goodyear, Arizona, and the Cleveland Indians 4th rebuilding process in the last 20 years has officially begun. Today the club looks a lot like it did in the early 1990s as they began to groom their young, core players into future all stars and potential hall of famers. This year’s club is stocked full of players that have the same potential as those guys did, and it is time to see if the new management can mold these guys into a team that by seasons end will hopefully show us a glimpse of what is to come next year!

So, what can we expect to happen this spring? Well the truth is not a whole lot when it comes to the position players. The outfield is pretty much set in Choo, Sizemore and Brantley, and the starting catcher role seems to be a lock for young Lou Marson with Mike Redmond backing him up. The infield has some holes to fill, but it seems certain that Asdrubal Cabrera will start at short and Jhonny Peralta will patrol third base. It is looking more likely that Russell Branyan will be the Tribe’s first baseman with Matt LaPorta taking a back-up role, and Luis Valbuena and Mark Grudzielanek will likely swap out at second base depending on who the opposing pitcher is.

In complete contrast, the Indians’ pitching situation is in total disarray and all aspects will be looked at this spring. The starting rotation is far and away the biggest question mark for the team now that camp has gotten underway. Jake Westbrook had a very easy first day on Monday, throwing a pain-free bullpen session during the first day of workouts. If Westbrook, who hasn’t pitched since May of 2008 due to recovery from Tommy John surgery, can return to form this year the Indians will have a proven veteran at the top of their rotation who can not only be their ace, but also the team leader as well. Fausto Carmona has to have a year more like 2007 and less like 2008 and 2009 if the Indians have any hope of staying out of last place, and if Carmona has any hopes of having a career after this season. The team is hopeful that working with veteran back-up catcher Mike Redmond will help Carmona this year. The rest of the rotation will fall into place over the next month with Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey, David Huff, Justin Masterson and Mitch Talbot all in the hunt for the last three spots. Sowers seems to be a bit behind the pack after the first few workouts, and considering he is out of options, he will have to step up his game this spring to remain in the Indians organization after camp.

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The bullpen positions are a bit more solidified, Kerry Wood will be the closer and Chris Perez will set him up. It seems like Rafael Perez will be the 7th inning guy along with Jensen Lewis, and Tony Sipp seems a lock for a spot as well given his strong performance after being called up last season. Others in the hunt are Joe Smith, Jess Todd and veteran Jamey Wright, as well as a host of youngsters who will likely start the year in the minors.

This year’s camp should be fun to watch, there will be lots of young talent playing for a spot in the big leagues, and while the expectations for 2010 are not very high for the Tribe, by seasons end we will hopefully see this young team begin to gel into the contenders they expect to be in 2011.

By Robert Gonzalez
Cleveland Indians Correspondent

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