The Indians lost Grady Sizemore for the next 2-3 months due to his recent back surgery, but GM Chris Antonetti told reporters (including MLB.com's Jordan Bastian) that he likes the team's in-house replacements (Twitter link). Antonetti acknowledged that he'll have scouts watching other clubs in Spring Training for possible alternatives, however.
With Sizemore out, Michael Brantley will step in as the everyday center fielder with Shin-Soo Choo and various left field candidates flanking him. The Indians signed Fred Lewis, Felix Pie, and Ryan Spilborghs to minor league contracts this offseason and already have Ezequiel Carrera, Aaron Cunningham, and Shelley Duncan on the 40-man roster. Scouting other clubs following Sizemore's injury seems to be little more than due diligence.
thesultanofswingandmiss
I don’t know how fred lewis is doing (probably bad). i hope he is back on the giants (or the blue jays).
BrettLawrieBiggestFan
Not the blue jays. We already have Jose/ Thames/Rasums/Snider and Davis and Ben Fransisco … and adam lind lol. NO MORE OF’s
mmiller54
I think it’s the reds.
dwarfcatt
Interesting headline Indians, the Athletics are doing the exact same thing
nats2012
Grady is such a fun player to watch, I was actually hoping the Nats would take a shot with him but he just gets injured too much. Hope he still has a chance to make an impact with the Indians because he is a game changer when healthy.
dc21892
Almost seems like ages ago that this guy was on all the highlight reels making a great defensive play or cracking a homer. Sad, sad story.
$5427573
I’m sure someone would easily trade for him, though at this point all they’ll get is a low level prospect.
mmiller54
Gerardo Parra?
rfffr
Maybe for Santana
sportsnut969
Looks to me as if the indians have cornered the market on the Land of misfit end of the road washed up major league players.
Manny Acta said they are going to fill the LF slot from within.
Snoochies8
Better not ask the a’s, they’re really shallow when it comes to outfielders….
Jose_Bautista
Rajai Davis?
$5427573
I like it!
Lunchbox45
Yah I was thinking that too..
but Rajai hits lefties, and in late game situations you can stick him on first and he gets to third pretty easy.. reality is you aren’t going to get anything significant for him, so might as well keep him..
Plus if Rasmus gets injured, I’d hate to see Snider in CF
Jose_Bautista
Yea, he isn’t a starting CF but an excellent backup option. Dude is amazingly fun to watch and sometimes extremely frustrating.
Lunchbox45
he has a career OBP of .350 vs lefties, (.304 vs righties)
he’s a great option to spell snider or thames vs tough lefty starters or late in games..
Probably beside R.H one of the best 3rd base stealer I’ve ever seen.
woodyheld
Must suck to be Trevor Crowe.
Dan Mazzaro
Playing baseball for a living? Yes that must certainly suck..
Quacktastic_Duck
Not surprising, but extremely disappointing. I’ve always hoped that he’d have an opportunity to resume his career as a star, but if he doesn’t come back hitting like an $20MM player or spends another stint on the DL this year, I doubt anybody takes another chance at him next year.
101andcounting
How about a Soriano salary dump? He could play left field until Sizemore comes back and then serve as a right-handed alternative to Pronk, who always finds a way to injure himself anyway.
I just want him gone so badly.
rashomon
Will the Pirates keep an eye out for a Burnett replacement?
James To.
Pun intended?
rashomon
Hmmm, it sounds like, when you read it, something caught your eye!