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Indians INFIELD possibilities for 2009

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  • Prelude to Indians spring training: DeRosa is an upgrade, but infield makeup remains in flux

    by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter

    Wednesday February 04, 2009, 11:49 PM

    Link Source

    CLEVELAND -- The Indians' infield can't compare to the Yankees when it comes to money. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez, shortstop Derek Jeter, first baseman Mark Teixeira and second baseman Robinson Cano will make a combined $78 million this year. That's almost as much as the Indians' entire 25-man payroll.

    The Tribe's infield of third baseman Mark DeRosa, shortstop Jhonny Peralta, first basemen Ryan Garko and Victor Martinez and second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera will probably make just under $16 million this year. Rodriguez, Jeter and Teixeira each make more than that by themselves.

    Where the Indians can match the Yankees is in intrigue. Who cares if Rodriguez and Jeter don't get along? What does it matter if Rodriguez's teammates don't necessarily like him?

    The Indians' infielders are dealing with the kind of drama that can change careers. For much of this off-season, it was assumed Peralta would move from short to third and Cabrera from second to short. When the Indians traded for DeRosa on New Year's Eve, the move seemed to be assured because DeRosa played mostly second base last season with the Cubs.

    Then GM Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge pulled a fast one. They gave the third-base job to DeRosa, which kept Peralta at shortstop and Cabrera at second. Recently, Wedge said Peralta will play some third base in spring training, which is another way of saying that the infield could still be reshaped.

    At first base, things are even more mysterious. No one seems quite sure if Garko or Martinez are going to play there.

    Martinez will go to camp as the Tribe's No.1 catcher, but Kelly Shoppach did a such a good job last year while Martinez was on the disabled list that the Indians might be better with Martinez at first and Shoppach behind the plate.

    Wedge, in late January, added to the mystery when he said Garko and second baseman Josh Barfield were going to be tested in the outfield in spring training.

    Here's a look at the Indians' infield possibilities entering the 2009 season.

    • Big-league first basemen: Garko and Martinez.

    Comment: Look for Garko to be the opening day first baseman. If Martinez does move to be first, it will be done gradually.

    • Next in line: Jordan Brown, Matt LaPorta and Michael Aubrey, Class AAA Columbus.

    Comment: LaPorta played first base on the Olympic team.

    • Fire down below: Beau Mills and Nick Weglarz, Class AA Akron.

    Comment: Mills, who played 99 of 125 games at first base last year at Class A Kinston, hit 21 homers with 90 RBI.

    • Big-league second baseman: Cabrera.

    Comment: Cabrera hit .320 (62-for-194) after the All-Star break.

    • Next in line: Luis Valbuena and Barfield, Class AAA Columbus.

    Comment: The Indians acquired Valbuena from Seattle in December and want him to play everyday at Columbus as opposed to riding the bench in Cleveland. Barfield could make the big-league club as an extra infielder.

    • Fire down below: Josh Rodriguez, Class AA Akron.

    Comment: The bodies are piling up in front of Rodriguez, a No.2 pick in 2006.

    • Big-league shortstop: Peralta and Cabrera.

    Comment: Peralta led AL shortstops in homers, RBI and muttered oaths by fans over his range.

    • Next in line: Wilson Valdez, Class AAA Columbus.

    Comment: Valdez played in Korea and Japan last year.

    • Fire down below: Carlos Rivero, Class AA Akron.

    Comment: Indians think Rivero, 20, who hit .282 (116-for-411) with .753 OPS at Class A Kinston last year, will be bigger and more athletic than Peralta.

    • Big league third basemen: DeRosa and Andy Marte.

    Comment: In the last two seasons, DeRosa played 188 games at second and 59 games at third for the Cubs. Marte is out of options and not expected to make the club.

    • Next in line: Wes Hodges, Class AAA Columbus.

    Comment: Hodges had a great season with the bat last year at Class AA Akron and in the Arizona Fall League. Defense needs work.

    • Fire down below: Jared Goedert, Class AA Akron.

    Comment: Goedert, who can play second and third, has hit 30 homers the last two seasons.

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