Transactions

Signed LHP Tim Young to a minor-league contract; Invited him to Spring Training

Signed LHP Mike Porzio to a minor-league contract; Invited him to Spring Training

Signed OF Ernie Young to a minor-league contract; Invited him to Spring Training

Signed RHP Giovanni Carrara to a minor-league contract; Invited him to Spring Training

Belliard the Choice

According to Jim Ingraham of the News-Herald and Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians have signed Ron Belliard to a one-year contract plus a team option pending a physical.

If you scroll down a bit, you can see a profile of Belliard plus my comments. Historically, Belliard has hit left-handers well, which helps a bit in the lineup, especially if Eric Wedge is penciling Ben Broussard, Jody Gerut, and Travis Hafner into the lineup. I’d still like the Indians to bring in a platoon parter to face some right-handers. Todd Walker is still out there, thanks to the collapse of the Alex Rodriguez trade, but he’s not realistic right now. Angel Santos, a switch-hitter with some power, is a minor-league free agent, and I’d really like the Indians to bring him back and spot him against right-handed pitchers.

Santos, who the Indians picked up from Boston for Jamie Brown last year, would make a nice bench player. He’s a much better hitter off the bench than John McDonald, can switch-hit, and can play 2B and 3B. And in contrast to Bill Selby or Zach Sorensen, Eric Wedge could actually use Santos late in the game as a pinch hitter.

I’ll get more into specific position battles as Spring Training approaches.