Mitchell: Let the Games Begin!

With all due respect to Johan Santana, Mother Nature has the filthiest change-up I’ve ever seen. After last week’s sunshine and greenery, the greater Columbus area is blanketed with winter depression once more. With that, let’s turn our attention to more western climes in hopes of taking a mental vacation to someplace warm.

The Indians opened the game action yesterday in intrasquad fashion. Mike Sarbaugh’s “Sarby’s Sourballs” went down to defeat 3-2 to Tribe 3rd base coach Steve Smith’s “Smitty’s American Racers” 3-2 in a 4-inning contest that saw a bevy of pitchers throw no more than one inning each. Sarbaugh will have some explaining to do when we see him in Goodyear next month. Today’s intrasquad game is slated for 7 innings.

It sounds from all reports like Jason Donald is more and more the candidate to put a claim on 3rd base. He has been working with Smith and former Indian 3rd baseman par excellence Travis Fryman who should have some particular insights to provide Donald on the switch from shortstop to 3B. Fryman came up in the Tigers system as the heir apparent to Alan Trammell at the 6 position, but ultimately found his All-Star and Gold Glove home at the hot corner. Fryman became the Tribe’s roving fielding instructor this off season after managing the Mahoning Valley Scrappers for the past 3 seasons.

The Indians are not done shopping for Manny Acta’s cupboard, at least according to the rumor mill. After failing to land Kevin Millwood or Jeremy Bonderman to shore up the rotation, Cleveland has been named as being among the teams talking to Chad Durbin about a contract. Durbin is reportedly seeking a Major League contract, and to this point hasn’t received an offer other than minor league deals with invitations to big league camp. He has not started since 2007 when he started 19 games for Detroit. Durbin pitched for the Tribe in 2003 and 2004.

Don’t forget about the March 30^th exhibition game at Huntington Park between the Clippers and Indians, visit www.clippersbaseball.com for info and to purchase tickets.

Questions and comments to rmitchell@clippersbaseball.com