Indians Spring Training

Spring Training is finally here.  The Indians are in Goodyear and things for this season are already starting to take shape.  Orlando Cabrera's one year deal was finalized yesterday.  He will be competing for the starting job at 2B this season.  Tribe manager Manny Acta says Cabrera definitely, has a job this season, its just a matter of weather its in a utility role, or at 2B.  Others competing for the job include Jayson Nix, Luis Valbuena, and Jason Donald, who has become the front runner for the 3B job now that Cabrera is in the fold.  In other good news at Tribe Camp, C Carlos Santana looks to be in full health and ready to go for the start of the season.  Santana hit .260 with 6 homers and 22 rbi during his rookie season with the Tribe, which was cut short in a scary collision at the Plate with Red Sox outfielder Ryan Kallish.  Santana will be important to the Tribe this year, as he is expected to bat clean-up.  Meanwhile Grady Sizemore's recovery from knee surgery also looks to be on track.  Sizemore went under the knife and June 4th and missed most all of last season.  Sizemore has had a couple of down years, since 2008 when he hit 33 homers and competed in the Home Run Derby.  Last season in 33 games, Sizemore failed to hit a homer and batted just  .211.  The Indians desperately need a healthy Sizemore if they are going to be competitive this season.  Sizemore figures to play CF, although his range may be down compared with Michael Brantley's, who did a great job of patrolling center last season.  Sizemore also figures to bat in the lead-off or #2 spot in the tribe's order, however during the last month of last season the Tribe had a good thing going at the top with Michael Brantley batting lead-off, and Asdrubal Cabrera batting second.  With Sizemore's average and speed likely down, I wouldn't be surprised if the Indians consider dropping him back in the order, maybe to are sixth in the line-up.