Will Matt LaPorta be the Opening Day LF for Cleveland?

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Looking at Cleveland's depth chart right now, they have David Delucci and some guy named B. Fransisco in LF, and I assume that they'll stick with Ryan Garko at 1B with Victor Martinez filling in here and there, but has anyone heard if LaPorta has a good shot at getting the opening day job? If I were them, it seems like a no brainer to go with your future because they don't look like a contender right now, but I was interested in your thoughts.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

On one hand it seems like a no-brainer to go with the future, but on the other hand, why rush it if you're not a contender anyway? Kinda the boat the Brewers were in a few years back with all the kids coming up. I would guess he's not up opening day, but he will be a few months into the season.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Yeah that would make sense because then they get another year of control of his services because of the Super 2 rule.

[And That]

Super 2 has to do with arbitration, not free agency. You're a free agent after 6 years on the roster (or DL, or restricted list, or bereavement list, etc.).

[Never Outhustled]

Ben Fransisco put up a 770 OPS last year, so they'll stick with him. Laporta was awful by the end of last year, he definatly needs some more time in the minors.

 

Cleveland has addressed its needs as well as anyone this offseason, adding closer Kerry Wood, the highly underrated Mark DeRosa at 3B, and reliever Joe Smith.

[jjfanec]

I would say Cleveland is a contender in that division. Who is that much better than them?

If Cleveland can get a healthy year of Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, and Fausto Carmona. They should also get Jake Westbrook back at the all-star break, and have solidified their bullpen with Kerry Wood and Joe Smith. I actually think they have a pretty good shot to win a very average division.

[colbyjack]

Cleveland definitely can be a contender. They finished the season strong despite moving forward without Sabathia (yes, it can be done http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif). As X noted, they addressed their needs very well, particularly in the bullpen, and they are only a year removed from the playoffs.

 

I don't think LaPorta opens the season in Cleveland, but he and Brantley will likely be a phone call away at AAA.

[Thurston Fluff]

Cleavland won the division two years ago and without CC still have a Cy Young winner on the team so I don't think it's out of the question they contend this year. LaPorta needs to put in a full year without tailing off before he should be handed the job.

[joepepsi]

They were 44-33 after CC left. That .577 winning pct would have easily won the division. They get Carmona back and stay healthy, they should win the division.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

If they're going to win the division, they need the old Hafner and Martinez to show up because they just weren't the same last year.

[joepepsi]

Well both were injured for over 2 months each. I don't expect the old, great Hafner to ever show up again. Something along the 2007 Hafner should help a bit though.

 

They may want to gift LaPorta a first baseman's glove in Spring Training though.

[JohnBriggs12]

Francisco had a solid rookie year last year. There's no need for them to rush LaPorta before he's spent any time in AAA.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Well both were injured for over 2 months each.

Even before Martinez got hurt, his numbers were way down, but maybe that was a result of his injury. I don't see the Indians as the favorite in the division with 3 other qualtiy teams in Detroit, CWS, and Minnesota. Detroit can't be that bad again with all of that talent.

[joepepsi]

OK you've convinced me. I overstated Cleveland a bit, perhaps. It should be a very competitive division. I think Cleveland has as good a chance as the other 3 you mention.

[Ennder]

The Twins and White Sox both overachieved by a pretty significant amount last year and Detroit doesn't have good pitching. I think that division is wide open and Cleveland is as good as anyone else in it.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

The Twins and White Sox both overachieved by a pretty significant amount last year

Overachieved? You mean the Twins batting over 300 with RISP is overachieving? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[ILuvDaBush]

Mr. Clutch, Big Papi, must have excreted some of his clutchness on his teammates before leaving for GREENer pastures.

[apirk]

Mr. Clutch, Big Papi, must have excreted some of his clutchness on his teammates before leaving for GREENer pastures.

Do you mean when the Twins released him and he signed with the Sox for a little over a million.