There has been a lot of turnover in the Indians lineup in the recent years. This season will mark the fifth year since the whirlwind of a season that left Indians fans reeling after coming within one game of the World Series.

Looking at the roster the Indians put on the field in 2007, not many of the players are still in Cleveland. Some of the names are recognizable, and even memorable. But for most of the players, if they were with the Tribe beyond 2007, they probably weren’t there much longer.

It many respects, it’s easy to think of the 2007 Cleveland Indians and the 2012 Cleveland Indians as two entirely different teams, with completely unique identities. We have yet to see if the 2012 version has the ability to make a splash and have a magical season like the one of 2007.

Remember David Dellucci? Maybe, but do you know what he’s done since leaving the Tribe in 2009? He’s not the only member of that team who seems to have disappeared from the sport of baseball entirely and the faded from the memories of Indians fans. I doubt many future grandfathers will tell stories of the “great” Ryan Garko, but they will tell stories of that fateful October. It was one to remember, but it seems that many of the players weren’t.  So where are they now? (more…)

Trevor Crowe  and Josh Barfield were secretly battling for the Cleveland Indians final roster spot.  Eric Wedge never gave any indication that this is what it was about.  Fans could only assume the battle was between Josh Barfield and David Delucci.  The presumed argument was a ten-year age difference and Barfield busting his butt in Arizona learning new positions.

Manager Eric Wedge claimed that Delucci was safe all along and will better serve to mentor Barfield.  It was said here over a week ago on Deep Left Field that Barfield would earn that spot.  I pointed out in that article the versatility that Barfield was adding and that he would earn a roster spot when the decision would come. 

The real mystery with Barfield now is, what happened to his bat?  Did he spend too much time learning to play outfield and not enough time in the cages?  Barfield batted below .200 this preseason.  How long he stays up with the big club will ultimately depend on whether or not he can produce when given AB’s.

Wedge has such a full cupboard in Columbus with a AAA outfield consisting of Matt LaPorta, Trevor Crowe, and Michael Brantley.  All three of these guys have bright MLB futures and we have not heard the last of any of them.

In other demotions, Wedge sent catcher Chris Gimenez to Columbus after his impressive spring.  I am going to guess the Indians will hold Gimenez but have to move someone eventually to bring him up in the next couple of years.  Hard to say who the odd man out is.  The only possible scenario I can visualize is moving Kelly Shoppach for pitching down the stretch if needed.  Time will tell.

There are 44 players left in Indians camp.  22 of the 44 have secure roster spots.  The rotation will be Cliff Lee, Fausto Carmona, Carl Pavano, and Anthony Reyes.  Kerry Wood is the closer with the setup and middle relief roles going to Jensen Lewis, Rafael Perez, and Rafael Betancourt.  Joe Smith and Masa Kobayashi haven’t been put on the roster yet, but both will probably be in the pen.

The infield roster spots are held by Ryan Garko, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jhonny Peralta, Mark DeRosa, Victor Martinez, and Kelly Shoppach, plus Jamey Carroll to be the versatile utility guy. 

The outfield is also pretty well set.  Grady Sizemore, Ben Francisco, Shin-Soo Chin, and David Dellucci are in.  Travis Hafner has also been named starting DH.

With Jake Westbrook rehabbing from Tommy John surgery until June, there are 21 players still in question.  Manager Eric Wedge has already been quoted as saying that Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley will start the season in the minors barring a path of injuries.  If one of the outfielders caves by opening day, the extra roster spot would go to Trevor Crowe who will start the season back at Triple-A.

Adam Miller’s finger injury has pretty much taken him out of the running for a spot in the bullpen.The rest of the moves will be pretty obvious… except… who to keep as another utility player, Josh Barfield or Tony Graffanino.  Barfield worked hard this month learning many positions which Graffinino has made a career of.  The age factor could play a role, Barfield is 26, Graffanino is 36.  I still think this spot will go to Barfield and say he will be starting somewhere by years end on the big club.