Since I posted the line-up I was hoping for the Tribe to field on Opening Day in Chicago, Omar Visquel has signed elsewhere and Kelly Shoppach has been traded. Here is the Redux:
1. CF- Grady Sizemore
2. 1B- Nick Johnson
2. SS- Asdrubal Cabrera
4. RF- Shin-Soo Cho
5. SS- Johnny Peralta
6. DH- Travis Hafner
7. LF- Matt LaPorta
8. C- Lou Marson
9. 2B- Luis Valbuena
Bench
C- Wyatt Toregas
1B/3B- Andy Marte
INF- Chris Gimenez
OF- Trevor Crowe
Rotation
RHP- Jake Westbrook
RHP- Fausto Carmona
LHP- David Huff
LHP- Aaron Laffey
RHP- Carlos Carassco
Bullpen
RHP- Justin Masterson
RHP- Chris Perez
LHP- Rafael Perez
LHP- Tony Sipp
RHP- Joe Smith
RHP- Jose Veras
RHP- Kerry Wood
It comes as a bit of surprise that the Indians traded Shoppach. Not that they planned on keeping him for the 2010 season; the fact that they found a taker for the career .241 catcher is puzzling. Shoppach was likely nontendered making him a free agent. The Rays now must take on his arbitration case which should pay him close to his 2009 salary of 1.95 million. Given the economic issues concerning the Indians organisation, it made no sense to bring him back for atleast 2 million dollars. Lou Marson (who is most likely to assume the starting job), Wyatt Toregas, and Chris Gimenez can all play catcher and their combined salaries are cheaper than two million. No. 1 prospect Carlos Santana, aquired in the trade that sent Casey Blake to LA, should expect to be seen in Cleveland at some point in the 2010 season and be starting in 2011.
It is safe to assume at this point that the Tribe is set with their line-up as is at this point in the offseason. Unfortunately for supporters of the Nick Johnson/Chief Wahoo alliance, it is likely this will not happen. Andy Marte could start the season at first before Michael Brantley is ready for an everyday roll in left, beginning the transition of Matt LaPorta to first. If any free agents are brought into Cleveland it is more likely to be a Kevin Millar type of player. Given Millar's "Cowboy Up" attititude in Boston and Florida, this could be a perfect locker room guy for a young team.
