An Early Look at the Indians Roster With Spring Training About a Month Away

Infielders

Jesus Aguilar
Chris Colabello
Edwin Encarnación
Erik González
Jason Kipnis
Francisco Lindor
José Ramirez
Carlos Santana
Gio Urshela

The starters seem basically set in stone, with either Encarnación or Santana at first (the other at DH), Kipnis at 2B, Lindor at short, and Ramirez at 3B. The others on this list, along with some that will get chances during the spring, will be fighting for playing time when one of the starters needs a day off or is nursing an injury.

There’s no doubt that Encarnación adds a dimension to this lineup it’s not seen since the likes of Jim Thome. A power-hitting slugger that has averaged 38 homers per season over the last five years. Kudos to the team for going for it, and bringing in a player that many feel will get this team over the hump to winning a title.

Kipnis, Lindor and Ramirez are three players that can also carry this lineup, as all three had great seasons in 2016, and will be looking to carry that into 2017. Lindor is a star in the making, while Kip’s 23 HR’s was a career-high last year.

Maybe the unknown is Ramirez, and if he can duplicate a season that saw him come out of nowhere to hit .312 with 11 homers and 76 runs batted in.

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