The Indians made their first round of cuts on Sunday, sending RHP Austin Adams, RHP Tyler Sturdevant, and CA Chun Chen to minor league camp. All three players have been hampered by injuries already this spring, Adams has been shut down because of shoulder soreness, Sturdevant has been battling a shoulder tweak, and Chen was slowed by a sprained ankle.

There are now 59 players in the Indians camp and there is some walking wounded among that group:

* OF Felix Pie collided with the center field wall during Sunday’s game with Texas. He left the game and will be tested on Monday to see how quickly he can return to action.

* LHP Rafael Perez is working towards his Cactus League debut. Perez has been sidelined because of shoulder soreness.

* 1B Casey Kotchman was scratched from the lineup Sunday because of a sore back. Matt LaPorta took his spot.

* RHP Chris Perez is throwing every few days as part of his rehab program from a strained left oblique.

The Tribe are expected to make a few more cuts later this week.

Check back soon!

The Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees are not changing their nickname, but they are adding one. The Yankees will go by the unofficial moniker “Empire State Yankees” for the 2012 season while they play their home games at various sites around upstate New York. Their Northeastern Pennsylvania home, PNC Field, is being renovated throughout the season.

“With so many games to be played in upstate New York this season we wanted to make the club feel even more at home this year. We approached the New York Yankees with a few suggestions and they actually came up with the Empire State Yankees moniker,” said Rochester Red Wings General Manager Dan Mason.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for both the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre franchise and the other IL clubs that will be hosting them this year and we wanted to make this as much fun for our fans and the players as possible. The Empire State Yankees merchandise and logos will only be available this season so they are sure to be collectors’ items. We appreciate the NY Yankees and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees cooperation with this venture,” added Mason.

The Yankees will play 37 of their home games at Frontier Field in Rochester, seven games at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, six games in Buffalo, and 10 games in Syracuse. In total, they will play 60 of their 72 home games and 84 of their 144 games in upstate New York.

“With 60 of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre team’s 2012 home games being played in the State of New York, what a fun twist to temporarily “re-brand” the team as the Empire State Yankees. As baseball fans in Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo and Batavia adopt the Yankees for the next six months this is a unique idea that will allow them to more closely identify with the team during its temporary stay,” said International League President Randy Mobley.

The team will wear new Empire State Yankees caps for the season, below is the cap logo:

Read more about the Empire State Yankees.

He’s making his message heard loud and clear. Shelly Duncan wants a regular spot in Cleveland’s lineup. Duncan blasted a three-run homer in Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Royals, the Tribe’s first Cactus League victory. It’s already the second homer of Duncan’s audition for a starting spot. If Michael Brantley slides over to center to replace the injured Grady Sizemore, it could mean more at-bats for Duncan.

Shelley came to the Indians before the 2010 season, leaving the Yankees after winning the International League MVP award with Scranton Wilkes-Barre. He played 33 games that year with the Clippers and another 85 with the Indians. Last season, he homered 11 times, provided 47 RBIs and finished the season playing well in Cleveland. He also happens to be a right-handed hitter, something the club is lacking.

Duncan is 3-for-7 with 6 RBI in just a few days on the job this spring. Not bad if you’re trying to impress the bosses. He definitely is.

Clippings…

* Making spring break plans yet? Jump on board for “Spring Break Me Out to the Ballgame”, you’ll have an opportunity to meet the Clippers players and coaching staff, get your picture taken with a player, receive a special t-shirt, and more! Click here for details.

* You won’t hear much about it, but Indians minor league camp started on Monday and those games will begin next week. Keep checking back here for more details on the guys playing on the “back fields”.

* The Clippers are partnering with the Central Ohio Youth Baseball League for a baseball equipment drive this Saturday from 9am to noon. Bring any new or used baseball equipment to Huntington Park and help a youngster!

* Clippers outfielder Thomas Neal is healthy and ready to contribute this season. MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian has more.

* Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 28^th at Huntington Park. WWE legend Sgt. Slaughter will be there… I have a feeling he’ll be a guest on our broadcast!

The Cleveland Indians are still getting their feet wet with the Cactus League schedule, but the focus of the front office and coaching staff is on selecting the last few spots for the 25-man roster that will take the field against Toronto on April 5th.

We know the Indians are looking for a fifth starter, two bullpen spots (if Chris Perez returns in time to start the season), and back-up infielders and outfielders.

David Huff pitched two scoreless innings in a 6-6 tie with Cincinnati Saturday. Huff is trying to fend off Kevin Slowey, Jeanmar Gomez, and Zach McAllister for the final rotation spot.

Frank Herrmann gave up four runs from five hits in that same game. Herrmann is trying to finish ahead of Robinson Tejeda, Jeremy Accardo, Chris Ray, Chris Seddon, Nick Hagadone and others for one of those two relief positions. Tejeda allowed one run while Accardo and Hagadone pitched scoreless frames in Saturday’s game. If Chris Perez suffers a setback in his recovery, three members of the group will start the year in Cleveland.

Russ Canzler is 2-for-2 with one RBI so far, he’s trying to earn a spot along with guys like Aaron Cunningham and Jason Donald. With Grady Sizemore out 2-3 months after back surgery, Cunningham’s odds seem to increase and there’s a chance he could see regular playing time with the Tribe.

The only real position battle takes place at the hot corner where the Tribe are deciding between Jack Hannahan and Lonnie Chisenhall.

The games over the next few weeks will shape the Indians roster and those decisions will help shape the Clippers roster… Let’s watch and enjoy!

Clippings…

* Mark your calendar, the 2012 Clippers “Meet the Team Party” will be held Wednesday, April 4th at the LC Pavillion (right next to Huntington Park) from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. Admission is free!

* Justin Masterson has been named the Indians Opening Day starter. Masterson, a native of Beavercreek, Ohio, will make his first Opening Day appearance.

* Tables on Huntington Park’s Hall of Fame Bar Terraces went on sale this week. A group of four will receive game tickets, a reserved terrace table, and a $60 voucher to spend on food and beverage served at the Hall of Fame Bar for $120. There are only four terraces available each night and the must be reserved in advance. Click here for details.

* I have my copy of the Indians Prospect Insider 2012 “Top 100 Prospects & More” book. It’s now available from our friend Tony Lastoria. Check out Tony’s site and place your order!

* If you’re not already, follow the Clippers on Twitter for updated info on the team, ballpark promotions, etc.

Keep checking back!

Like Scott, this is one of my favorite times of the year. I don’t care much for college or pro basketball; in fact, I barely see any of the NCAA tournament. I’m a wrestler. I haven’t had a match as a competitor in 18 years, but once you make the commitment and it gets into your blood, you are a wrestler for the rest of your life. Indulge me for one post, as I step away from baseball and talk about my other sporting love.

In March, the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Tournament takes place, which is one of my favorite sporting events of the year. The Big Ten Championships usually take place the same weekend. Two weeks later, the best college wrestlers in the country meet for the NCAA Championships. I’d love it if wrestling got more coverage (the Big Ten Network is expanding its coverage of the Big 10 Championships greatly this year), but wrestlers have always toiled largely in obscurity in front of the close-knit wrestling community and maybe that’s how it should be.

The culture of wrestling is a modern counter-culture. Sacrifice and delayed gratification reign. The more difficult road chosen, the better. There is no app for that. Athletes at the upper level of all sports are dedicated to their craft, but there is something different about what wrestlers go through. Being a wrestler, you are both a part of a group but also an island onto yourself. The training to be a wrestler is too much for most people to handle. You have early morning weight-lifting, or runs in 7 layers of clothing and plastic body suits followed by often multiple training sessions where you intentionally put your body through painful, potentially harmful drills and exercises, then perform hand-to-hand combat against teammates followed conditioning exercises designed to try to break you mentally and physically. You do all this to prepare to go get into a fight with someone with whom you don’t have a previous squabble.

Why do this? Why do wrestlers put themselves through the torment of training, then pile on the physical and mental anguish of weight management (cutting)? There is little fame or money in wrestling. There are a few who make a good living coaching in college. Some wrestlers are transitioning into the world of MMA, but big paydays are few and far between there. Cael Sanderson went undefeated (159-0) throughout his college career, winning 4 straight National Championships and then went on to win an Olympic gold medal in Athens and most people don’t know who he is. Luke Fickell is known all over the college football landscape, but before he was the interim head coach of the Buckeyes, he was a 3-time OHSAA wrestling champion. Fickell could have been a great college wrestler, maybe an Olympian, but he chose football and its greater potential for financial reward.

Many of those who stick with wrestling do so because it is out of the limelight. They relish the personal testing that goes on every day for the sake of proving themselves to themselves. Wrestlers have to be internally motivated to go through what they do. There is a saying repeated by wrestling coaches everywhere. “If it was easy, everyone would do it.” Wrestlers embrace that and wear it like a badge of honor.

The fate of wrestling is sealed by its self-designed exclusivity. It will forever be a second-tier sport subject to derisive homophobic jokes and scorn from the uninitiated. It will be this because we make it too difficult for outsiders to embrace. That’s ok, because respect from those who know what it is you went through to get where you are is enough for a wrestler.

Good luck to all the athletes who sweat, bleed, starve, grimace, hurt, and persevere for the chance to go out and put it all on the line for the opportunity for glory. It’s wrestling time!

Spring is right around the corner and baseball games are being played, sort of. The Indians first intrasquad game of spring camp was held Wednesday in Goodyear. Indians third base coach Steve Smith and Clippers manager Mike Sarbaugh picked teams to manage, which has become annual tradition in the desert. This year Smitty’s squad defeated the fightin’ Sarbys 1-0 in a four inning game.

(photo courtesy of the Indians Twitter account)

The only run came in the first inning; a Jose Lopez single scored Carlos Santana. Chris Seddon took the loss. Seddon, Frank Herrmann, Jeremy Accardo, Tyler Sturdevant, Josh Tomlin, Robinson Tejeda, Nick Hagadone, and CC Lee each pitched one inning.

The Tribe will open the Cactus League schedule on Saturday at 3:05pm (eastern) against the Reds.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The baseball season is off the ground, the NBA and NHL seasons are past the mid-way point and entering the “stretch run”, college hoops is ready for the Madness, and (for you motor heads) the NASCAR season is underway.

When I’m not standing behind a batting cage I’m a basketball junkie, so I’ll be touring the NCAA Tournament landscape over the next few weeks. My broadcasting stops include Lexington, KY for the opening rounds of the Division III Tournament, the “First Four” games in Dayton, the NCAA first and second rounds at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, and even a stop at the Division II Championship at Northern Kentucky University. Don’t be jealous.

Immediately after I finish my hoops duties, Ryan and I will be leaving on a jet plane for Arizona to get a firsthand look at this year’s Clippers squad. There are some neat things in store at Huntington Park this year, so stay tuned for all the details.

Clippings…

RHP Austin Adams, a candidate for the Clippers rotation, has been shut down from all baseball activities. He’s suffering from a sore right-shoulder and is expected to be re-evaluated next week. Adams, 25, was 11-10 with a 3.77 ERA in 26 Double-A starts last season.

The bd’s Mongolian Stir-Fry Sluggers are back! Kids ages 5 to 12 can register to run onto the field with the Clippers before a select Sunday game at Huntington Park. Prizes include an autographed baseball, t-shirt, coupons to bd’s Mongolian Grill, and more! Click here to see the form.

If you’re REALLY craving some Clippers baseball, check out the MILB.TV page and watch the archived broadcasts from last season’s championship run. The 2012 broadcast plans will be released soon, but rest assured that every game will be broadcast on MILB.TV!

LHP David Huff has been named the Indians “Opening Day” starter for the first Cactus League game on Saturday. Huff is competing with Jeanmar Gomez, Zach McAllister, and Kevin Slowely for the fifth spot in the Tribe’s rotation. The three that don’t win the job will probably start in Columbus.

The Indians are planning to release an update on Grady Sizemore’s injured back on Thursday.

That’s all for now!

With warm temperatures this week and baseball news on every website, it’s beginning to feel like baseball season is here, despite what the calendar says. I keep waiting for Mother Nature to shout, “Fooled you!” and drop a foot and a half of ice and snow over Ohio, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

First and foremost, if you haven’t yet, you should “like” the Clippers Cargo Shop Facebook page. You can check out the latest and greatest merchandise Krista Oberlander has procured by months of scouring the world of sports apparel and memorabilia, and you may just win a prize while you’re at it.

Those who follow minor league baseball are likely aware that the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees are a team without a real home for the 2012 season while PNC Field is slated to undergo major renovations. There is recent news out of the Electric City that doesn’t make it sound like the efforts are going as smoothly as the Yankees, the IL and Lakawanna County would like. Hopefully things can get finalized in the near future to avoid any serious long-tern ramifications.

Here is a neat story out of Pirates Spring Training. New Bucco A.J. Burnett has worn #34 his whole career, but young Daniel McCutcheon currently had claim to the number when Burnett was traded to Pittsburgh. As often happens, a new player will “buy” a number from the current owner. Cash, gifts, home renovations have all taken place, but soon-to-be-father McCutcheon got creative. He asked Burnett for a college education for his unborn baby girl. Burnett will set up a 529 education investment account for the Baby To Be Named Later.

In case you didn’t hear, Sizemore is out for the season with a torn ACL. Scott Sizemore, former Toledo mudhen and current of the Oakland A’s second baseman injured his left knee just two hours into the first team workout Saturday in Phoenix. Sorry if there was any confusion there.

Finally our buddy Tony Lastoria’s yearly Indians Prospect Insider book is finished and available to order. Check it out here.

So Grady Sizemore is out for the whole of Spring Training. Now Closer Chris Perez is on the shelf for 4-6 weeks with an oblique strain. Sizemore’s injury is a shame, if you were surprised, you haven’t been paying attention.

The major difference between the effect of the two injuries is that thought the Tribe was hoping for a rebound from Sizemore to help them make a run at the play-offs, they were COUNTING on a healthy Perez to anchor wheat is supposed to be a very good bullpen.

Perez’ injury is not one that is expected to keep him down for much or (cross fingers) any of the regular season, but if it puts him well behind schedule for his preparation to be ready to go full bore, then Manny Acta might be forced to utilize his bullpen in ways that don’t necessarily maximize players’ abilities. Can Vinnie Pestano close games? Clippers fans know the answer to that, but the dominoes might put people in situations they aren’t best equipt to handle.

In other injury news, former flame-throwing national sensation Joel Zumaya wrecked his elbow just a dozen pitches into his first live bullpen session with his new club the Minnesota Twins. He is out for the season with a torn UCL in his right elbow. Zumaya looked good in off season workouts in front of several teams and the Twins locked him up to a one-year deal for a base salary of $850K plus many lucrative incentives. Minnesota is on the hook for $200K if they cut Zumaya due to injury, but that’s better than what they would have to pay him to sit on the DL for the season.

As the action heats up in the desert, so will the news, so check back often!

Grady Sizemore suffered a back strain in Arizona a couple weeks ago while rehabbing his surgically repaired right knee. It is unlikely he’ll be ready for Opening Day on April 5^th.

When the Indians sent Sizemore into free agency this offseason, some thought his days in the Tribe were over. Then Cleveland re-signed him at the discounted rate of $5 million (his option was for $9 million), giving the club a chance to possibly save a little cash (there are $4 million in performance incentives bonuses) and Sizemore a chance to re-prove himself for a larger deal in 2013. Now, the three-time All Star finds himself back in the training room instead of the outfield.

With Sizemore on the shelf, the Indians are looking at several options. Michael Brantley could move from left to center for the time being. Brantley, a center fielder in the minors, wowed Clippers fans while patrolling that spot at Huntington Park. That would leave Shelley Duncan to get more time in left and possibly Ezequiel Carrera to provide back-up for both.

This could also open the door for Aaron Cunningham to make the team. He would likely be an alternative at the corner spots, but has played a little in center also. Cleveland acquired Cunningham in December for reliever Cory Burns.

How does this affect the Clippers?

The Sizemore injury probably doesn’t change the outfield landscape too much for Mike Sarbaugh. It was likely the Indians were already going to carry five outfielders and with plenty of depth, there will be several capable bodies to contribute in Triple-A.

Trevor Crowe is not on the 40-man roster, but could get more attention in camp now. He spent all of last season on the disabled list after undergoing right shoulder surgery. He could be the Clippers starter in center.

Thomas Neal and Chad Huffman are both still likely to start with Columbus. Both will be entering their sophomore seasons in the organization. Neal, a member of the 40-man, was acquired July 30^th for Orlando Cabrera. Huffman, not on the 40-man, was claimed off waivers from the Yankees at the end of the 2010 season.

Russ Canzler will be front and center in the Clippers lineup if he doesn’t make the major league club. He was acquired from Tampa this winter. The reining International League MVP played mostly the corner infield spots in April and May, but almost exclusively in the outfield during the second half of the season.

The “wild card” options include Felix Pie, Fred Lewis, and Ryan Spilborghs, all of which inked free agent minor league deals and will be vying for a spot in Cleveland. It’s too early to say whether they will land in Columbus. Pie is the least likely because of a clause that allows him to opt out of his contract if he’s not on the Indians Opening Day roster. Fred Lewis has the same opt-out option if he’s not in Cleveland by June 1^st. Spilborghs will reportedly make $1 million if he’s on Cleveland’s roster and could be an insurance policy for more injuries down the road.

The Clippers may see the return of Tim Fedroff and Nick Weglarz to Huntington Park. Fedroff played 62 Triple-A games in left or center last season and hit in one of the top two spots in the order. Weglarz damaged a ligament in his right thumb diving for a ball during the Clippers 2010 championship run, it required surgery. He missed the first two months last season after a bout with back spasms. He spent the entire season in Double-A. Weglarz is still considered a prospect, but 2012 is a crucial year and he’ll need to reach Columbus and be productive.

To quote former Clippers manager Torey Lovullo after his 2009 team came close to setting a single-game franchise stolen bases record, “I wouldn’t call it a free-for-all.”

Maybe, but I’d say it’s close.

Have a great week!

The 2012 International League season could be deemed “The Year of the Shortstop” because of the surplus of IL talent at that position. The Clippers are ticketed to have Juan Diaz at short, but the signing of Cristian Guzman should add some depth at that position for the Tribe. Elsewhere, shortstop Tyler Pastornicky is probably headed right to Atlanta after a small sample in Gwinnett and Tampa’s top shortstop prospect Huk-Ju Lee may get a little more seasoning in Double-A instead of suiting up for Durham. Even if Clippers fans don’t see those guys at Huntington Park this year, there are plenty of good young position players to keep an eye on.

Bryce Harper (OF) (19 years old) – Syracuse Chiefs (Nationals)

He’s considered the top prospect in all of baseball and will either start in Double-A or Triple-A. There is a pretty good bet that at some point in 2012, he’ll wear the Syracuse uniform. Harper signed for $9.9 million in 2010 as the first overall selection. He played 72 games in Low-A before jumping straight to Double-A in the second half of the season. Harper is considered to have the best of everything: arm strength, power, bat speed, etc. He bats left-handed, but throws right and can play all three outfield spots. He is a better than average base runner as well. Syracuse visits Huntington Park from May 15-18 and if Harper is in the lineup, there will be a buzz about his arrival.

Tim Beckham (SS) (22 years old) – Durham Bulls (Rays)

Beckham was the #1 overall pick out of Griffin High School (GA) in the 2008 draft. He signed for a Rays record $6.1 million and has been under the microscope ever since. The right-handed hitting infielder is coming off a season in which he tied a career best 12 HRs and compiled 70 RBIs between Double-A and Triple-A. He only played 24 games with the Bulls last year, batting .255 and his OBP dropped from .339 to .282 when he was promoted. Beckham hasn’t been the superstar that he was projected to be when drafted, but is considered to be one of the top prospects in the Rays system. The 2012 season will be crucial for his stock as a major league option in St. Petersburg.

Will Middlebrooks (3B) (23 years old) – Pawtucket Red Sox (Red Sox)

Middlebrooks is considered to be the top prospect in the Red Sox farm system and he lived up to the hype in 2011, hitting .302 with 18 HR, 80 RBI, with a .345 OBP in Double-A. He appeared in the futures game and was considered to be the top hitting prospect in the Eastern League. Middlebrooks made a cameo in Triple-A, playing 16 games, but went just 9-for-56 (.161) in the International League. The 6’4” right-hander was a fifth round pick out of Texarkana, TX in 2007 and is considered to be the future of Fenway at the hot corner.

Joe Benson (OF) (24 years old) – Rochester Red Wings (Twins)

Benson skipped over Triple-A last year, playing in 21 games with Minnesota after 400 AB in Double-A. He’s sitting behind Denard Span, Josh Willingham, Ben Revere, Rene Tosoni, and Trevor Plouffe on the Twins depth chart so it looks like he’ll get his first taste of Triple-A in April. Benson, a second round pick in 2006, has survived his share of injuries to post a .265 career average and a .359 OB. He’s arm and range in the outfield will keep him on the short list for a call-up, but he’ll need to hit in Rochester to stay on the radar.

Brian Dozier (SS) (24 years old) – Rochester Red Wings (Twins)

Dozier is the reigning Twins Minor League Player of the Year and will make his Triple-A debut this season. He led the Twins system with a .399 OBP and 24 stolen bases, batting .318 in 78 games in the Eastern League.  Dozier, a 2009 draft pick (8^th round), was a collegiate star at Southern Miss. He will hit near the top of the
Red Wings lineup.

Starling Marte (OF) (23 years old) – Indianapolis Indians (Pirates)

Marte won the Eastern League batting title last season, hitting .332, and was rewarded with a spot on the Pirates 40-man roster. He has all the tools, from a great arm to tremendous range in center field, he’ll be challenged offensive and defensively by playing at Indy’s Victory Field, the league’s largest park. The Pirates are hoping Marte shows better plate discipline after daring only 22 walks and adds more power after he homered only 12 times in 536 ABs last season. It’s safe to say the Dominican Republican signee from 2007 will be an in Dean Treanor’s lineup almost every day.

Freddy Galvis (SS) (22 years old) – Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies)

The Clippers got a sneak peek at Galvis during the Governors’ Cup playoffs, but they’ll see more of his this season. The Venezuelan infielder was signed by the Phillies at 16 years old and he’s now considered one of the five best players in their minor league system. He was named the Phillies Minor League Player of the Year in 2011 and his glove is as good as it gets. The switch-hitter stands only 5’9” and uses his compact strike zone to his advantage, posting a .326 OBP in Double-A. Ryne Sandberg’s job will be improving Galvis’ bunting skills and perfecting his ability to get on base.

 Didi Gregorius (SS) (22 years old) – Louisville Bats (Reds)

With Zach Cozart moving up to Cincinnati, Gregorius could take the shortstop reins in Louisville. He signed in 2007 out of Curacao and helped the Dutch national team win the World Cup last year. The left-handed hitter reached Double-A last season for the first time, playing in 36 games.  He is a career .273 hitter with excellent range and arm strength. Gregorius has no power and needs to get smoother with his glove, so it’s possible he is sent to Double-A for the early stages of the season.

Neftali Soto (1B) (23 years old) – Louisville Bats (Reds)

Soto has been on a roller-coaster ride since getting scooped up in the third round of the 2007 draft. He’s played four different positions, struggled defensively, and suffered a broken wrist last season. The good news for Soto is the trade of Yonder Alonso this offseason, which leaves one less player ahead of him on the depth chart. The 6’2”, 200lb. right-hander tied for the home run crown in the Southern League last season, smashing 30 bombs. He appeared in four games with Louisville at the end of the season, going 7-for-17 and he’ll be playing for manager David Bell for the second straight season since Bell was promoted from Double-A.

L.J. Hoes (OF) (22 years old) – Norfolk Tides (Orioles)

Hoes hit .305 over 95 games with Double-A Bowie last year and played LF, 2B, and 3B. He was a third round pick in 2008 and has slowly climbed the ladder despite a lack of offensive power. With only 16 HRs over four seasons, the outfield may not be the place Baltimore sees as Hoes’ future. He managed to steal 16 bases and generate a .379 OBP in Double-A, so it’ll be interesting to see where Tides skipper Ron Johnson placed him in the lineup and on the field.

Austin Romine (CA) (21 years old) – Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Yankees)

Romine was the big winner when Jesus Montero was dealt to Seattle over the offseason. He moves up quickly on a depth chart that also dropped Jorge Posada, who announced his retirement. Currently Francisco Cervelli is the only one standing in front of Romine as Russell Martin’s counterpart in the Bronx. He is considered to be a asset defensively, but needs to improve his caught stealing numbers. Romine lacks consistent offense, which will also be a point of focus with former catcher Dave Miley as his manager in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Keep checking back for more previews of the 2012 season!