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MLB Team Report – Cleveland Indians – INSIDE PITCH

The Indians will attempt to do something in 2012 that is not impossible but also is not very easy. They hope to be a contender with two of their starting infielders in their first full season in the major leagues.

Second baseman Jason Kipnis and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall were called up from the minor leagues in the middle of the 2011 season, and at times both showed why they were considered two of the top prospects in the team’s organization.

However, Kipnis and Chisenhall also had their moments in which they looked and performed like rookies. Nevertheless, Indians officials saw enough out of both players to go into the offseason with the feeling that Kipnis and Chisenhall can be counted on as starters in 2012.

Kipnis, 24, was recalled from Class AAA Columbus on July 21 and, except for a three-week stay on the disabled list with a strained hamstring, was the club’s starting second baseman for the rest of the season. In 136 at-bats, he hit .272 with seven home runs and 19 RBI. Four of his home runs came in four consecutive games, tying a club record set by Al Rosen in 1950.

A converted outfielder, Kipnis is still learning the second base position, but he appears to be athletic enough to handle it, especially if he can produce offensively the way Indians officials think he will over a full season. Certainly Kipnis’ defense is not as much of a concern as Chisenhall’s.

Chisenhall, 23, also underwent a position switch in the minor leagues. He was drafted as a shortstop but was moved to third base. He has experienced some growing pains at his new position, and the Indians had to endure some on-the-job training for him last season. Although he played in just 66 games, Chisenhall was third on the team with 10 errors.

Chisenhall’s shaky glove at third is one reason why the Indians have kept defensive specialist Jack Hannahan on the roster. Hannahan was the Indians’ starting third baseman for the first half of the 2011 season, but Chisenhall’s superior bat eventually forced the Indians to make the switch.

Until Chisenhall becomes a more polished defender, Hannahan will continue to be an option for manager Manny Acta as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Kipnis and Chisenhall both made it to the big leagues on the strength of their hitting. With the Indians thus far in the offseason unable to add an impact hitter, it will be even more important for the two youngsters to make major contributions offensively in 2012 in order to help bolster what in 2011 was a well below average offense.

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MLB Team Report – Cleveland Indians – NOTES, QUOTES

–INF Andy LaRoche signed a minor league contract and was invited to Cleveland’s major league training camp. LaRoche, who gives the Indians added depth at all four infield positions, was the Pirates’ regular third baseman in 2009 and hit .258 with 12 home runs and 64 RBI. LaRoche spent most of 2011 with Oakland’s Class AAA Sacramento affiliate, hitting .254 with four home runs and 27 RBI in 224 at-bats.

–RHP Josh Judy, one of a handful of Indians minor league relievers knocking on the big-league door, was claimed on waivers by the Reds on Dec. 23. Judy was 6-2 with a 3.12 ERA and 28 saves in 50 appearances at Class AAA Columbus in 2011. He was designated for assignment on Dec. 16 when OF Aaron Cunningham was added to Cleveland’s roster.

–RHP Fausto Carmona, coming off another disappointing season, was scheduled to make a few starts in the Dominican winter league as he tries to tinker with his mechanics in hopes of bouncing back from his dismal 2011 season. Carmona, the Indians’ Opening Day starter, was 7-15 with a 5.25 ERA in 32 starts. Manager Manny Acta said Carmona’s numbers were a little deceiving, pointing out that Carmona had the third-lowest run support of any starter in the league.

–OF Shin-Soo Choo will be one of the keys to the Indians’ 2012 season. After consecutive outstanding seasons in 2009 and 2010 when he hit exactly .300 with 20-plus homers and 20-plus stolen bases both years, Choo slumped in 2011. He was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving early in the season, and he battled injuries, including a broken thumb, for most of the rest of the year. In 313 at-bats, he hit just .259 with eight home runs and 36 RBI. “He struggled to get off to a good start and was playing his best when he broke his thumb,” GM Chris Antonetti said.

–RHP Josh Tomlin will bear watching early in the 2012 season. Tomlin was one of the Indians’ most dependable starters in 2011, going 12-7 with a 4.25 ERA in 26 starts. He also led all major league pitchers by averaging just 1.1 walks per nine innings. However, Tomlin missed the last month of the season with right elbow inflammation. He did not have surgery, and Indians officials are hopeful that the elbow won’t be an issue in 2012.

BY THE NUMBERS: 37 — Consecutive starts made by RHP Josh Tomlin from the start of his career in which he pitched at least five innings. That’s the longest streak by any major league pitcher since 1919.

Mildly frustrated over the lack of moves this offseason by the Cleveland Indians’ front office, I decided to take a look at the Indians current depth chart and see how the team would look if they remained healthy for a full 162-game season.

There were no variables thrown into the calculations, it simply assumed a 162-game average based upon past major league performance only. The calculations did not take into account those who are up and coming (Kipnis, Chisenhall, Brantley) or those who are winding down in their career (Hafner).

It did provide an interesting look at what we hear so often as Tribe fans—potential.

Carlos Santana, C

In a full 162 game season, Santana would hypothetically bat .244 with 27 home runs, 81 RBIs, walk 108 times, and have an OBP of .362. The key figure here is the number of walks, which makes his less than spectacular batting average a lot easier to swallow.

Matt LaPorta, 1B

LaPorta’s less than savory numbers over three seasons would translate into a .238 batting average with 18 home runs, 69 RBIs, and an OBP of .304 over a 162 game season. These are hardly the numbers of the power-hitting prospect LaPorta was supposed to be.

Jason Kipnis, 2B

If Kipnis were to play a full 162 game season based upon his major league history he would potentially bat .272 with 32 home runs, 86 RBIs, steal 23 bases and have an OBP of .333. Could he be the power-hitter the Tribe so desperately needs provided he stays healthy in 2012?

Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

All-Star Cabrera continues to be a bright spot in the Indians’ offense in his 162-game average. He would bat .281 with 13 home runs, 78 RBIs, and boast an OBP of .343. Pair that with his stellar defense and you got one of the key players the Indians need to ink to a long term deal as soon as possible.

Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B

Much like Kipnis, Chisenhall’s potential cannot be factored into his limited major league performance. In a hypothetical 162-game average, he would bat .255 with 17 home runs, 54 RBIs, and have an OBP of .284. We all know the future of Chisenhall is much brighter than this.

Travis Hafner, DH

Oh, what I would not give for a healthy Travis Hafner for full 162 games this season. Based upon his career statistics he would bat .281 with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs, and boast an OBP of .383. Sadly there is very little realism in this hypothetical scenario.

Shin-Soo Choo, RF

The opportunity to have Choo be productive for a full season would greatly impact the Indians. He would potentially bat .291 with 20 home runs, 91 RBIs, and have a team high .384 OBP.

Grady Sizemore, CF

The one question many Tribe fans are left asking is what a healthy Grady Sizemore would look like if he were able to play a full 162 game season based upon his historical performance. He would bat .269 with 25 home runs, 83 RBIs, steal 24 bases, and have an OBP of .357. Wouldn’t that be nice to see?

Michael Brantley, LF

Brantley is another of the Indians’ players whose experience does not show his potential as a hitter in my opinion. He would bat .265 with eight home runs, 60 RBIs and have an OBP of .316.

More Cleveland Indians Commentary from this Contributor:

Meet your Cleveland Indians’ minor league free agents: A fan’s look

Fan’s take: Does the Cleveland Indians’ front office care about the fans?

Fan’s view: Are the Cleveland Indians asleep this offseason?

Cleveland Indians have room for Pie this holiday season: A fan’s reaction

Cleveland Indians sign free-agent Pagnozzi to minor league deal: A fan’s reaction

Sources:

All data provided by MLB.com

Paul Rados is an avid Cleveland Indians fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

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The Cleveland Indians and USO of Northern Ohio are teaming up in a “Tribe for Troops” video game and toy drive contest. Until Jan. 15, those attending Indians Snow Days at Progressive Field downtown can donate video games or toys and be entered for a chance to play video games against their favorite Tribe player. The donated games and toys will benefit families served by the USO and active military overseas.

Those 18 and older can donate a new or gently used video game, unwrapped in its original packaging, or a new or unwrapped toy with a minimum value of $20, to be eligible for one entry in the contest. Collection bins are located near Gate A of Progressive Field and in the Indians Snow Days Kidsland warming area.

Video games of all ratings are accepted; those rates above PG-13 will be distributed to active military.

Indians Snow Days are open every day. For a schedule, visit indians.com/snowdays.

Photo by Kirby Lee/US Presswire