Jose Ramirez will probably be the Opening Day starting shortstop for the Cleveland Indians, but Francisco Lindor plans to make a strong case of his own during spring training. What is the team's plan moving forward?
Ramirez took over at shortstop last season after the Indians traded Asdrubal Cabrera to the Washington Nationals and the 22-year-old proved he was more than capable of playing the position on a daily basis. He appeared in 68 games (56 at shortstop) and batted .262/.300/.346 with 27 runs scored, two home runs 17 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
But not too far behind was Lindor, who logged 126 games at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus and slashed .276/.338/.389 with 75 runs scored, 11 home runs, 62 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. He's currently participating in his second spring training with the Indians and went 2-for-3 in his debut on Wednesday while also flashing his ranging defense.
Despite his impressive 2014 season and fast start at spring training this year, his promotion doesn't look too imminent.
"Indians fans have been clamoring for two years to see Lindor at Progressive Field. Barring a run of injuries at shortstop, the wait will be a little longer again this year," writes Joe Reedy of FOX Sports Ohio. "Francona succinctly described the organization's approach that the goal is not to develop players just to bring them up. It is to develop them to help the major-league club win and contend."
Either way, the team needs time to figure out what they're going to do. Ramirez and Lindor are only a year apart and play the same position, but it appears Lindor is preferred even though their numbers were fairly similar in the minors. Ramirez was primarily a second baseman before he reached the MLB, having played 199 out of his 286 career minor league games there. The obvious decision would be to call up Lindor at some point and shift Ramirez to second, but Jason Kipnis currently occupies that post and is signed through 2019 for nearly $50 million.
Whatever the plan is, the Indians at least have a good problem with their apparent middle infield logjam.
Look for Lindor to at least be called up to the 40-man roster in September.
