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9 observations from a week at Cleveland Indians' Spring Training

The Cleveland Indians will kick off their 2019 season next Thursday when they face the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Credit: AP
Cleveland Indians shortstop Eric Stamets, right, throws to first base as Max Moroff, left, looks on at the team's spring training baseball facility Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Cleveland Indians are just a week away from kicking off their 2019 season, and yet, plenty of questions surrounding the team still remain.

For one, the Indians don't currently know who will start in the middle of their infield -- at either position -- on Opening Day. Nor do they have a firm grasp on what their starting outfield will look like, either next week or a month from now.

Factor in that manager Terry Francona has still yet to name his Opening Day starter and it's hard to remember a Cleveland team that's faced more uncertainty this close to the start of a season.

I've spent the last week in Goodyear, Arizona, covering the team during its final Spring Training stretch. Here are nine takeaways and what I think they could mean for the Indians' 2019 campaign:

Francisco Lindor won't miss much time -- if any

Cleveland's lineup is currently comprised of several puzzle pieces, but perhaps none larger than the status of Francisco Lindor. After suffering a calf strain just prior to the start of Spring Training, the Indians' franchise player's status for the season opener has been in question for the better part of the past two months.

Although Lindor has yet to play in an official Cactus League game, his activity heading into the season opener has only ramped up. On Wednesday, he ran the diamond -- bases and all -- for the first time all spring and the 3-time All-Star has been a fixture in Cleveland's minor league exhibitions for the better part of the past week.

"I want to play. I want to play this game. That's why I'm here. I want to help my team," Lindor said on Wednesday. "That's why they [the trainers] are good at what they do. They can slow people down to make sure they don't rush it. The goal is not Opening Day. The goal is to be there for a full season and help my team in the playoffs."

Those last two sentences are key.

While the 2-time Silver Slugger appears to be on the better side of his initial 7-to-9 week diagnosis, Cleveland has taken a conservative approach to his rehabilitation. And such thinking could ultimately keep Lindor sidelined next week when the Indians open their season in the traditionally chilly Minnesota.

At this point, the only official stance on Lindor from either himself or the team seems to be that if he's going to miss time, he won't be missing much. My best (purely speculative) guess? He misses the Minnesota series and makes his debut in the Indians' home opener on April 1.

Credit: AP
Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor smiles as he talks about his injury and his rehab workouts at a news conference at the teams spring training baseball facility Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Next Man Up

If Lindor isn't ready to play by next Thursday, Eric Stamets will likely make his Major League debut.

Acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for David Murphy in 2015, Stamets has spent the past 3.5 seasons in Cleveland's Minor League system. The 27-year-old Dublin, Ohio, native has seen the most consistent playing time of any Indians shortstop in Lindor's absence, showcasing an impressive glove in the field.

"He catches everything in sight," Francona said. "When you're trying to replace somebody at shortstop -- you don't replace a Lindor. There's only one of him. But it's nice to know that when the ball's hit, you're out. Especially with our pitching staff.

"The hitting is still a work-in-progress. If it wasn't, he'd be a Major League star, he's so good defensively."

Appearing in 78 games for Triple-A Columbus last season, Stamets hit for a .202 average to go along with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs. At this point, it seems reasonable to believe he'll soon be recording his first at-bat in the big leagues.

Will Hanley be here?

Shortly before I arrived in Goodyear, Francona revealed that Hanley Ramirez wasn't a lock to make Cleveland's Opening Day roster after signing a minor league contract with the team in late-February.

As I prepare to leave Arizona, it seems less likely the 35-year-old 3-time All-Star will be a member of the Indians a week from now.

"Hanely has an [contract] out in a couple days. That will bring some closure to that decision," Francona said, discussing how Ramirez's presence -- or lack thereof -- could affect the rest of how his roster is constructed.

Asked specifically about Ramirez's performance this spring, Francona said: "It's hard to evaluate during spring. We're doing the best we can. I don't know if I want to say what we are going to do or aren't going to do ahead of time, I don't think that's really fair to anybody, any player. We're trying to be as fair to him -- and by that, I mean playing him enough, but not too much and trying to be fair to us so we can get a good look."

Doesn't exactly sound like a vote of confidence.

If Ramirez -- who has hit 7-for-32 (.219), no home runs and 5 RBIs this spring -- doesn't make the Indians' roster, it could make Carlos Santana the Indians' everyday designated hitter. That would make Jake Bauers' ability to play first base a necessity, eliminating his availability to add power in an outfield that's in desperate need of some.

Credit: Ross D. Franklin
Cleveland Indians slugger Hanley Ramirez hits a pop fly during the second inning of a spring-training game against the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Arizona on Monday, March 4, 2019.

CarGo to stay

As opposed to Ramirez, Carlos Gonzalez -- who signed a minor league deal with Cleveland on Tuesday -- does seem to fit into the Indians' future plans.

Although he'll likely remain in Arizona when the team breaks camp next week, the 33-year-old Gonzalez will likely be added to Cleveland's 25-man roster before the April 20 deadline existing on his contract. At this point, it's just a matter of the 3-time All-Star working his way back into playing shape before he assumes a role at one of the corner outfield spots in the Indians' lineup.

While there's no telling what Gonzalez will be able to provide -- especially leaving hitter-friendly Coors Field -- I like the marriage of Cleveland and 'CarGo' for both sides.

For Gonzalez, the Indians are one of the few contenders that could also have a place in their lineup for him to potentially play every day. And for Cleveland, the 2-time Silver Slugger could be an upgraded version of the veteran help -- think Rajai Davis and Melky Cabrera types -- it has relied on in recent years.

Kipnis in question

Speaking of veteran presences, the Indians have no choice but to rely on Jason Kipnis at second base -- although his status for the season opener suddenly finds itself in question.

On Wednesday night, the 32-year-old left the first inning of a split-squad game against the San Francisco Giants with what was described as "right calf tightness." As of Thursday morning, Francona had no update on Kipnis, who appeared in 147 games last season after playing just 90 in 2017.

Should the 2-time All-Star be unavailable for the opener, utility infielder Max Moroff would likely start for the Indians at second. Given the question marks elsewhere on Cleveland's roster, that would obviously be less than ideal.

Credit: AP
Cleveland Indians' Jason Kipnis is congratulated by teammates after scoring in the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Thursday, April 12, 2018, in Cleveland. Kipnis scored on a throwing error by Tigers catcher John Hicks. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Who's No. 1?

Francona said he wouldn't name his team's Opening Day starter until after Corey Kluber makes his Spring Training start against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Every indication, however, seems to be that the Indians want the 2-time Cy Young Award winner to pitch Game 1 for the fifth straight year.

The only hang up, at this point, appears to be Kluber's readiness, as he's taken on a reduced workload over the course of this spring.

Assuming Kluber shows enough on Friday to get the Opening Day call, Trevor Bauer would likely start second, with Carlos Carrasco pitching third. At least that would fit what Francona said he wanted earlier this spring, when he first broached the idea of Bauer serving as a buffer between the team's traditional No. 1 and No. 2 starters.

“Ideally, we would have Trevor in-between Kluber and Carrasco early in the season just because Trevor’s usually the one guy that can go deeper into games earlier than the other guys," Francona said. "So if you separate them, it will help our bullpen, but we have time to get to that."

Pitching surplus

This isn't exactly breaking news, but for all of the deficiencies elsewhere on its roster, Cleveland has a ridiculous surplus of starting pitching.

Between Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber, it's not going to be often that the Indians don't feel good about who they start on the mound. Aside from whoever winds up starting on Opening Day, every pitcher after him will be overqualified for his respective spot in the team's rotation.

The team's abundance of arms was made apparent on Friday, when Cleveland optioned Adam Plutko to Triple-A Columbus. Francona said the Indians want to get the 27-year-old left-hander pitching every fifth day and that opportunity obviously isn't available for him in Cleveland just yet.

Perhaps it's not a surprise those trade rumors involving Kluber and Bauer won't go away. And perhaps given the Indians' depth at the position, such deal might even make sense.

Credit: AP
FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2019 file photo, Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer throws against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz. Presumably, they will all be ready to pitch the first week of the season, establishing the order of Cleveland’s starting rotation is on hold for Indians manager Terry Francona with 19 days remaining before the season opener, March 28 at Minnesota. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Ready for the regular season

Once again heavily favored to win the American League Central, Cleveland is embarking on a fourth straight season that won't judged until at least October. It's tough to gauge the attitude of a team in just four days, but at this point, it seems clear the Indians are ready for the regular season.

Sure, there's a different energy around this team following the departures of veterans like Michael Brantley, Yan Gomes and even Josh Tomlin. Lindor's injury hasn't helped matters, nor has the reduction of payroll when it comes to amplifying Opening Day excitement.

More than anything, however, I think this team is just ready to get on the field when the games actually count. As currently constructed, there are more questions than answers existing on this roster. But with Opening Day a week away, it won't take long for those answers to come.

Lineup card

My best guess at the Indians' Opening Day starting lineup:

CF- Leonys Martin

2B- Jason Kipnis

3B - Jose Ramirez

DH - Carlos Santana

1B - Jake Bauers

LF - Jordan Luplow

RF - Tyler Naquin

C- Roberto Perez

SS- Eric Stamets

P - Corey Kluber

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