MLB.com beat writer Anthony Castrovince answered his mail bag today with a few interesting tidbits for the upcoming season:
Josh Barfield now has the inside track on the utility role, according to Castrovince.
As of this writing, Barfield appears to have the inside track on a bench job, but he’ll have to show the Indians he can play more than one position. As previously reported, they plan to try him in the outfield, and general manager Mark Shapiro said Barfield will also get a look at shortstop and third base.
With Luis Valbuena expected to be the starting second baseman at Triple-A Columbus and the Indians not expected to carry a fifth outfielder, it seems there would be little incentive to use one of Barfield’s options and send him out. Then again, it’s difficult to speculate how he’d adjust to a bench role.
There was also this disheartening tidbit about minor league pitcher Rob Bryson, who was acquired by the Indians in the CC Sabathia trade:
Bryson had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder and will be on the shelf until at least May or June. The Indians insist they did not acquire damaged goods in Bryson, who was one of four players brought in by the CC Sabathia trade. He injured his shoulder about two weeks after the trade was made.
Castrovince also says, depending on how the season plays out, Mark DeRosa could end up In the outfield.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Please no DeRosa in the outfield. He’s an average/slightly above average infielder. He does not have the bat to play a corner outfield spot.
Also, I’m assuming Barfield’s utility slot is different than the utility spot that Jamey Carroll will play… or did I miss Carroll walking this offseason?
Seems like a mess, all resulting from the odd conviction that Peralta has to be the shortstop.
Bottom line, if Barfield cannot regain some semblance of a stroke, he will never again be a major leaguer. Very nice guy, but dude….ya gotta hit. His Tribe teammates need to take a lesson, as well. Too many guys coasting thru half the season (i.e. Garko, Francisco), then padding their stats to respectability when the pressure’s off. Time to “man up,” boys.