Backup Backstop - Lou Marson (.143)
Utility IF - Adam Everett (.293)
Bullpen Men - Frank Herrmann (1.69 ERA), Justin Germano (0.00), Vinnie Pestano (1.13)
Officially Jess Todd (1.17) and Luis Valbuena (.260) were optioned to AAA with Luke Carlin (.150) and Paul Phillips (.414) re-assigned to the minor league camp. Chad Huffman (.333), Jayson Nix (.176), and Jordan Brown (.222) are still technically on the roster, but have been informed that they will be removed by opening day. The Tribe is actively seeking a trade partner for Nix. Regardless of whether he is traded or DFAed, he will be removed from the 40-man roster. Also, Trevor Crowe may very well begin the season on the 60-day DL, players on which do not count towards the 40-man. Even so the Indians need to add four players to the active roster by Friday (Jack Hannahan (ugh), Travis Buck, Germano and Everett) so another transaction will be forthcoming. No hints yet on who that might involve.
Frankly, the bullpen doesn't surprise me. Germano didn't surrender a run all spring. He made the decision for the organization. Jess Todd will be the first reliever up when they need one and, of course, they will. On the other hand, I'm a bit taken aback by the selection of Lou Marson as the #2 catcher. Paul Phillips hit very well this spring and one would think that Marson and the Indians would both be better served if the young man was getting every day PT. Manny Acta must feel that the time that Carlos Santana will spend at first base and DH opens up enough ABs for Lou-Lou (that's his nickname, not kidding). The number that qualifies as "enough" was considerably lower after the Tribe chose to add 4 NRIs for the opener. The choice of Adam Everett shocks me (literally!) to the core. Behind Hannahan the Tribe's roster has exactly one and one third innings of MLB experience at the hot corner (AzCab). Actually, Travis Hafner (47 games) and Carlos Santana (58) lead the pack in minor league 3B appearances with only Asdrubal Cabrera (11) and Austin Kearns (2) supplementing with any reps at all. So, Asdrubal is the second option at third? Behind a dude who hit .230 at AAA last year? An odd choice.
Pestano snagged his second save on the spring on Monday. Chris Perez (3.00) gave up an RBI double, walked two, hit another and wild pitched in a second run. With 2 on and 2 out, Vinnie rushed in and promptly hit the first guy he faced to load the bases. Vin rebounded though and K'ed Reed Johnson on four pitches to slam the door. I can dig it.
Despite a single to drive in his 11th run of the spring, Matt LaPorta is hitting a meek .161 with the slump showing no signs of dissipating. Right now I am actually thinking about who the next option at first is. Probably Shelley Duncan, but LaPorta would likely have to flounder through 60 games or so before the brain trust would consider a change.
Grady Sizemore (.100) went 0-for-3, though he did walk twice. The best news is that Grady stole second base in the 6th, his first of March. It sort of made up for a 3rd inning CS.
Carlos Carrasco (5.96) was just as brilliant in his final spring start. Over 6 strong innings Carrasco allowed just two singles and a solo homer. Carlos struck out five and did not walk a batter. Good news for our new #3 starter. Also, Germano and Herrmann each tossed a clean inning.
Fausto Carmona (3.72) was just as good on Sunday. Fausto threw 5 quality frames giving up just an unearned run on five hits and a walk while striking out 3. The rising ace is in fine form and ready for Friday and the White Sox.
Josh Tomlin (4.15) was not so successful on Saturday night as he was touched up for 8 hits (including 2 bombs) en route to allowing 5 earned over 5 innings. I am not concerned. Tomlin had been as close to perfect as anyone could ask and simply needed to get stretched out against major league hitters. Homers from Shin-Soo Choo (.304) and Santana (.300), along with Sizemore's first spring hit, were not enough to overcome the deficit.
One more with the Reds on Tuesday, Justin Masterson will take the hill for the Wahoos.
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