Just In From the Desert

Today's most intriguing story is that Jayson Nix (.105) has switched competitions.  We had thought him to be challenging Jason Donald (.400, back in the line-up today) and Luis Valbuena (.190, we'll get to Chisenhall in a bit) for the vacant third base job.  Yesterday, it was reported that Nix was getting significantly more reps at 2B and today Manny Acta confirmed that he has yet to name Orlando Cabrera (.364) as the starter.  I have to imagine that the statement was made to keep Jayson's confidence up during a tough run at the plate.  It is unlikely that anyone will unseat Donald at 3B or Cabrera at 2B.  While injuries are always a possibility, the probability is that the true competition is between Nix and Valbuena for the utility infield spot.  Nix's biggest upside is on offense and, his long ball today regardless, if he continues to flounder at the dish, he becomes worthless.  Valbuena, despite his low average, has popped three homers already and can play second, short and third.  To be clear, of the two, Valbuena is the better option and I hope that Acta et al can recognize this as well.

On to the Chiz Kid and his early tear.  We all have to keep a number of factors in perspective -- (1) The sample size of his .524 average (0-1, K today) is tiny (21 ABs) and against Spring Training pitching.  Manny Acta reminds us that the two biggest boppers last spring were Wes Hodges and Donnie Webb, (2) Lonnie has yet to see a single inning at AAA, (3) Similar to the Carlos Santana situation in 2010, this season would not count towards Chisenhall's arbitration eligibility should he come up in June or July, (4) As so many of us forget, baseball is 90% mental, as Justin Matserson noted yesterday.  When the Tribe (or any MLB team in this day and age) promotes a prospect, they strive to have him completely set up for success, & (5) There is no urgency to win in 2011.  I contend that, if everyone plays to form and the team stays healthy, that Indians can win 85 games.  This stance is awfully optimistic and, realistically, contention is a year away.  So, here is the plan:  the Chiz Kid gets comfortable this spring, opens at Columbus, rakes for a couple of months and makes his wildly anticipated debut on the North Coast after the Super 2 cutoff.  With Jason Donald easily dislodged from a starting role, the transition should be painless.  I'm completely on board with this.  So is Lonnie.  The man either recognizes his own best interest or just knows what to say to the media.  In an interview today, he made the statement that he's just "trying to make their decision difficult," rather than actively pushing for an opening day slot.  I know Chisenhall looks great right now (we'll never even get to see the catch he made on a foul pop in the 8th), but let us (and I mean the 71% who voted on Cleveland.com that he should be the starter) keep our eyes on the big picture.

Masterson (3.38 ERA) certainly righted his ship today, throwing 3 perfect innings and striking out 5. Justin threw 25 of 37 pitches for strikes (I charted myself.  This is the only place you will find those numbers.) and looked dominant.  As described by Jim Rosenhaus, his sinker was "great," his change "good," and his slider "sharp."  Masterson caused Blake DeWitt to flail so wildly in the 2nd that DeWitt's bat ended up in the stands above the Cubs dugout.  If Justin can throw anything like this on a consistent basis during the season, then we'll have our true #2.

I'm not ready to officially return Jeanmar Gomez (4.91) to contention for the #5 spot, but JG was certainly outstanding today.  He extended perfection to 1 out in the 6th and allowed just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 3 in three scoreless innings. 

Matt LaPorta (.138) continued to hit like unflushed excrement.  Matty was 0-for-3 with a K.

Frank Herrmann (1.80) gave up the lead in an 8th inning that featured the infield sprinklers going off with 2 outs.  Herrmann gave up a double and a wild pitch before Chun Chen's throwing error brought home the run.

Vinnie Pestano got into trouble in the 9th by allowing an infield single and then making a poor choice to try for the lead runner on a bunt attempt.  After putting the 2 on, Vinnie induced a pair of pop-ups, but gave up a game winning, walk-off single to Brett Jackson.  Still, after the staff allowed 41 runs over the past 3 games, giving up just 2 today was a nice change of pace.

Utility OF Battle:  Travis Buck (.440) played all 9 innings in right, showed good discipline in going from 1-and-2 to a walk in the second and added a single.  Shelley Duncan (.267), who started in left did not fare so well, going hitless in three trips while striking out twice.  No change here, Buck is still the favorite.

Pitchers for 03.11: Mitch Talbot (starter), Chad Durbin, Doug Mathis, Justin Germano and Josh Judy.

Cheers.