Starting in left field…
No. 25…
Ryan Garko!?
Akron Beacon Journal reporter Marla Ridenour left this interesting little nugget hidden at the bottom of her story entitled, Wedge shows respect for history.
First baseman Ryan Garko and second baseman Josh Barfield got their first taste of playing the outfield today.
Wedge said Garko will be used only in left field, while Barfield will try all three outfield positions.
It is no secret the Tribe is willing to experiment this spring with position changes and they do have the versatility to do it.
Yet, Garko doesn’t strike many as one of those versatile players. The tidbit is interesting enough to warrant its own story and that is exactly what MLB.com beat writer Anthony Castrovince has given us.
Castrovince spends more time talking about Barfield’s versatility than Garko. Barfield will be tried at all three outfield spots, third base and his orginal position second base.
If Barfield can show that versatility he has a chance to land the last spot on the Indians bench.
With the trade of Franklin Gutierrez, the Indians lack a true back up in centerfield. Barfield, Ben Francisco, Shin-Soo Choo and Jamey Carroll will all work out at the position, according to Castrovince.
Mark DeRosa will work out at the corner outfield positions.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I guess playing first basemen at half the field positions could be called versatility.
Bottom line: If Garko and Barfield do not hit, they won’t be in the lineup, infield or outfield. There are enough “versatile” players on the team who can muster a .270 average; and I think we all know that Delucci is not one of them. Sadly, this team still lacks any sort of consistent power or punch, and that is how most teams score runs in this era. That’s also why the Tribe often stuggles for weeks on end with no offense. A 2- or 3-run homer can turn around a game in a hurry, especially with our quality pitching. But when we have to peck and scratch for even a run, particularly after the fifth inning, it often becomes a lost cause.