Image via WikipediaPitchers and catchers have reported in Goodyear and many other position players are already in camp. The grass is cut, the baselines are chalked, the 2011 season is fast approaching. What to expect then, of this year's Cleveland Indians?Kenny Lofton was just announced this morning as a special spring training instructor. When that is the biggest off-season announcement your team makes, you better set your expectations pretty low. Here's a quick positional breakdown of what to look for from your 2011 Cleveland Indians.
Catcher
Tribe medical staff have said Carlos Santana is fully recovered from his season ending knee injury and subsequent surgery. That said, he'll be eased into full "baseball activities." The best case scenario is that Santana catches four games a week and plays first/DH the other two. Word is that Lou Marson may be optioned back to AAA Columbus to see regular duty while Chu Chen or some other flotsam and jetsam backs up Santana.
Outfield
Is Grady Sizemore ever going to recover the form that made him an almost superstar? Sizemore is coming back from the always dangerous micro-fracture surgery on his left knee. He's taking batting practice and running but is not cleared for full baseball activities. While his goal remains to be ready for opening day, it's more likely the Indians will take a cautious approach and we'll see him mid-April. In the meantime, we will see Michael Brantley man CF with Shin Soo Choo anchored in RF and the newly re-acquired Austin Kearns stationed in RF. Once Sizemore returns, Tribe brass says he will take over CF with Brantley slotting over to LF and Kearns becoming the Tribe's fourth OF. Sizemore is in a potential walk-year and Choo hired the dreaded Scott Boras to represent him in his quest for a long-term deal. That said, there could be more upheaval ahead for the Tribe.
Infield
Oh, what a mess. And to add to the mess, the Indians just signed Orlando Cabrera. Yes, he is a two-time Gold Glove winner but where does he play? Manny Acta's current plan is to have Orlando man 2B with Asdrubal Cabrera at SS. Matt LaPorta will play 1B and Jayson Nix, Jason Donald and Luis Valbuena will be in the mix for the 3B/utility role. An ugly mix to be sure. 3B is a mess until Chisnehall, Goedert or the ghost of Travis Fryman can take over. LaPorta comes into the 2011 season healthy unlike last season when he was still recovering from hip and toe surgeries. Hopefully, he will begin to show signs of being the corner infield power stick the Indians thought they were getting in the Sabathia deal. While the defense up the middle should improve dramatically with the Cabrearas at 2B and SS, 3B is a black hole and LaPorta must stay healthy, and more importantly, productive for the Indians to have any chance at success.
Stay tuned for my breakdown on both the Indians' starting pitching and the bullpen.
