The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Gimenez makes claim as starting shortstop
Bauers could get nod over Bradley at first base because he’s out of options
The Indians passed the midway point of a Cactus League season, but issues linger from start of training camp.
The Indians passed the midway point of their Cactus League season on March 15 when they hosted the Oakland A’s with some issues they faced at the start of training camp still unresolved.
Near the top of the list is whether Oscar Mercado will regain the hitting stroke he found as a rookie in 2019. He might be the opening day center fielder by default, but heading into the game with the A’s he was hitting a meager .222 this spring (4-for-18) with one double and no RBI. He batted .128 in 86 at-bats last season after posting a .269 average 15 home runs and 54 RBI in 2019.
The time for experimenting is nearing an end for manager Terry Francona.
“We even talked to the guys this morning a little bit and said, ‘Hey, I know this is the time of spring when the anxiety starts to ramp up,’” Francona said in a Zoom call before facing the A’s. “We’re trying to kick it in gear a little bit because we’re at the point in spring where everyone should have the soreness in their legs and their arms gone and try to get more to game speed.
“But at the same time, we also have to figure out who’s playing where and we just told them, ‘Hey, we recognize there’s some anxiety. We will do the best we can to give clarity as soon as we can.’”
Left-hander Logan Allen started against the A’s with an aim of earning a spot in the rotation behind Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac and Aaron Civalle. Allen, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill are fighting for two open spots.
I think this kid (Gimenez) is a really bright spot for us. Without just flat out saying where he’s going to play and when, he’s done a heck of a job. We really like him.” — Indians manager Terry Francona
Allen pitched four innings without allowing a run to Oakland. He gave up four hits, walked one batter and struck out three. The outing lowered his ERA to 1.00 in three appearances over nine innings.
Allen said he is not getting caught up in the race for a job as a starter.
“I haven’t tried to look at that too much,” he said on Zoom. “Obviously, there’s a lot of outside noise. I’m just focused on throwing up zeros. If I continue to do what I’m doing, I assume I’m going to be in the big leagues and have some success.”
Determining who would replace Francisco Lindor was an open question as soon as the Indians traded the All-Star shortstop to the Mets in January for middle infielders Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez. Gimenez seems to have seized the job to the point where the Indians are toying with using Rosario in the outfield.
Gimenez, 22 years old, helped his cause with an RBI-triple against the A’s. He has two Cactus League home runs and he has more than held his own defensively.
“He’s solid,” Francona said. “He makes all the routine plays. He’s a solid baseball player. That’s what everybody talks so much about him, even at his age, but he’s a baseball player. And he makes all the plays. That’s a big compliment to a young kid.
“I think part of the reason we felt comfortable enough to move Amed is
because of what we see in Giménez. But I think, again, whether it’s injuries, I think this kid (Gimenez) is a really bright spot for us. Without just flat out saying where he’s going to play and when, he’s done a heck of a job. We really like him.”
The biggest question mark as the April 1 season opener in Detroit draws nearer concerns first base. Bobby Bradley has outhit Jake Bauers, but Bradley could be the odd man out because he can be optioned twice. Bauers is out of options and the Indians don’t want to expose him to waivers.
Restrictions set by MLB because of COVD concerns have made for an unusual spring. Minor leaguers are not in camp, and that has reduced opportunities for players from all teams.
“It’s hard enough in spring training, but the sample size is smaller than normal
because we’ve played less innings and we don’t have minor league innings to let guys go hit,” Francona said. “We’ve played a couple B games but there are no spit squads. Usually when you have those split squads, that’s when guys can go play eight or nine innings and you can have everybody in your camp get four at-bats and get guys into some rhythm. We don’t have that, and I understand why. But it’s a challenge, that’s for sure.
“I have a feeling when we end up talking to a couple guys, we’re going to have to just tell them, ‘Hey, this is our decision and we understand it may not be completely fair.’”
Francona plans to meet with his staff on March 17 and 18 to make important decisions. Normally they’d all gather around a table to talk things over, but because of the pandemic they will have to meet via Zoom.