Ed Condron

Goodyear, AZ

With a starting rotation that is built to get ground-ball outs, the Cleveland Indians need a solid infield.

It's looking more and more like they have one.

With Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop and at Jason Kipnis at second the middle of the infield is set. Jack Hannahan is a solid glove at third and is in a position battle with Lonnie Chisenhall for the job.

Then when you add Casey Kotchman at first base, you have the makings for a infield ready to get to work behind a staff that will induce a lot of ground ball outs.

"The front office definitely did its homework," Hannahan said. "If you're going to get a team full of sinkerballers, you need guys that are going to, when it's a ground ball, make the plays and get the outs."

Hannahan played well at third last season when given the chance and has a good shot at starting the season at third for the Indians. Kipnis has become a strong second baseman afer originally being drafted as a center fielder and Cabrera is one of the top shortstops in the American League.

Kotchman, who was with Tampa Bay last season, could be the final piece that puts this unit near the top of the league defensively.

As a team the Indians committed 12 errors at first base last season, way too many. Consider that in an eight-year career that includes more than 700 games at first base, Kotchman has only committed 11.

That bodes well for the starting staff as newcomer Derek Lowe and his sinker need an infield that converts ground ball chances into outs.

Justin Masterson also likes to use his sinker and Josh Tomlin is known to keep an infield busy.

"If you look at the teams that won the World Series the last four or five years, pitching and defense has been a big reason," Hannahan said. "Being here in Cleveland with a team full of sinkerballers, when the ball is hit on the ground, you've got to get outs."

 

Ubaldo Jimenez glad to be with Tribe

All-Star pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez said Friday he likes his current situation with the Cleveland Indians after getting traded by the Denver Rockies last season.

Jimenez, who retired three batters and allowed two earned runs and two hits in two innings in his Cactus League debut Wednesday, said he's glad to be with the Tribe after going through a lot with his former team last season.

"It was kind of hard being with the Rockies," Jimenez told Cleveland.com Friday. "I went through a lot of things that people outside the organization don't know. But me and the people in the front office know."

After six solid seasons with the Rockies, Jimenez was traded to the Indians in exchange for first-round picks Alex White and Drew Pomeranz and two other players before last season's trade deadline.

"It works both ways. They're happy and I'm happy. I'm happy to be here and they're happy with what they got," added Jimenez, who made his lone All-Star appearance after a sizzling start in the 2010 season.

Tribe ace hurler said the trouble-free environment helped him to have easier time pitching for the Indians.

"I feel happy here," Jimenez told Cleveland.com. "I don't have anything in my mind. I don't have to worry about anything but going out and pitching. When you don't have to worry about things that are going on off the field, it's easier to pitch."

 

Sizemore's injury creates position battle in left field for Indians

With center fielder Grady Sizemore for at least two months after lower back surgery, the Cleveland Indians actually have a battle for a spot in left field going on in Spring Training.

Usual left fielder Michael Brantley has shifted to center with Sizemore out, leaving the Indians to evaluate a number of potential left fielders.

Shelley Duncan will be considered for the job and may win it with his bat over some more defensive candidates.

Duncan hit .265 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs for the Indians in the final 26 games of last season and he is hot so far in spring Training with two homers and six RBIs in seven Cactus League at-bats.

Cleveland has a pretty good idea what it has in Duncan, so expect to see some other faces sent out to left field this spring for the Indians to gage.

"We're going to see all the other guys that we don't know," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "At the end of camp, we'll decide whether (Duncan) is going to be the guy, or somebody else. But we don't need to be running him out there every day just to try to win that job. We've seen him. We need to see the other guys and find out."

Among the looking to win the left field job are Ezequiel Carrera, Aaron Cunningham, Trevor Crowe, Duncan, Chad Huffman, Fred Lewis, Thomas Neal, Felix Pie, Ryan Spilborghs and Nick Weglarz.

Neal is a young and interesting candidate, who will likely be headed back to the minors to try and recapture his past form.

Cleveland acquired Neal o July 30 last season in the trade that sent veteran infielder Orlando Cabrera to San Francisco.

The 24-year-old battle injuries last season and hit .289 with two homers and 26 RBIs in 70 games between Triple-A Fresno (Giants) and Triple-A Columbus (Indians).

With Class A San Jose and Double-A Richmond in the 2009-10 seasons, Neal hit .313 with 34 homers, 81 doubles and 159 RBIs in 265 games.

"I'm feeling good now," Neal said. "It's very exciting, especially because I came here and worked with the training staff. They're unbelievable. I came here for a month after the season and when I left here I felt better than I had all of last year."

 

Indians give hope to ailing youngster

Full of hope and optimism for the upcoming season, the Cleveland Indians still found some time to cheer up an ailing youngster despite a very hectic schedule in their Spring Training home in Goodyear, Arizona.

Tribe general manager Chris Antonetti, manager Manny Acta, infielder Jason Kipnis and hurler Vinnie Pestano paid a visit to 13-year-old Clayton Turner, who is suffering with a disease called Ewing Sarcoma.

According to Turner's parents, the youngster is an avid baseball fan with a dream of playing in the majors.

Clayton experienced pain of late, prompting his parents to take him to a specialist for a check-up. Doctors found out the youngster of developing a rare cancer which only affects 100 adolescents every year. Clayton is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Phoenix.

Having their Spring Training in Arizona, the Indians decided to cheer up the ailing youngster by giving him words of encouragement and few special Indians gifts.

Back in northeast Ohio, the Indians are active participant in the fight against Pediatric & Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer. Through their kick-it program, the Tribe has already raised $700,000 for AYA.

 

Indians face decision at hot corner between Hannahan, Chisenhall

The Cleveland Indians have a choice to make this spring at third base.

As the Indians move to set their roster and deal with injuries to outfielder Grady Sizemore and closer Chris Perez, a battle for the third base job is brewing between Jack Hannahan and Lonnie Chisenhall.

Hannahan played well for the Indians at third last season, solid defensively and a lot better with the bat than anyone expected.

Chisenhall is an up-and-comer from the team's farm system, something that could work for and against him.

A platoon between the two doesn't work since they are both left handed hitters. Whoever doesn't win the job could be kept around as an extra infielder, but bench spots on the Indians roster are limited.

With options remaining and after Hannahan earned a shot with his play last season, Chisenhall could be the odd man out. He could easily be recalled if necessary and will likely have to be lights out and head and shoulders above Hannahan in spring training to win the job.

Hannahan is out of options to the minors and it is highly unlikely he would clear waivers, so if the Indians don't keep him on the roster, they will likely lose him altogether.

 

 

 

Indians Infield Appears to be Perfect Match for Starting Staff