OK, the roster is set. But is there anything we can do to protect ourselves in case of injury. Let's look area by area on this roster and see where some insurance might be useful and who is still available and let's do it by area of biggest need to least need.
BULLPEN
Outlook- Look, Matt Belisle could end up as this year's flavor of the month like Nick Goody, Tyler Olson and Dan Otero have been in the past. In fact, I am OK with him as the last member of this bullpen and with our depth in the minors. Still, looking at our relievers, I think we could use some insurance, especially from the left side and anticipate that there are one or even more guys on this list who, if they signed with the Indians, could get SIGNIFICANT innings in important situations this year. I think we still need that insurance. So, for relievers, let's look in depth at who is still available:
Greg Holland - If we weren't cash-strapped this one would make the most sense as Cody Allen, Andrew Miller and Zach McAllister all become free agents after this season. On a 2 year deal Holland might be a bridge to our next close-in-development, whoever that might be. He would sure look good replacing Bryan Shaw in the 7th or 8th and as insurance in case Miller or Allen get hurt. Not likely though.
Joe Blanton - Don't know about his physical condition but if he is healthy, he would look great on a minor league deal. An ideal insurance policy in case someone gets hurt (nah, that never happens!)
Josh Collmenter - Ditto for Blanton although not the lock I see Blanton as in terms of being able to step into a competitive team and be effective.
Jason Grilli - If he doesn't retire I don't see a fit. 41 year old guys don't want to go to AAA and that is where he would spend most of the season as I wouldn't even have him as my #1 or #2 minor league option.
Eric O'Flaherty - My choice for the stashed away minor league lefty. Although his overall stats are pathetic in recent years, his left-on-left minors are still good.
Chad Qualls - Like Grilli, 39 year olds with lots of experience don't go to a club where their path to the majors is not a clear and clean one.
Zach Putnam - Unless he has no other options, I don't see him coming back to this club nor do I see them wanting him, especially when he might not be happy in the minors.
Drew Storen - Another guy I like and would stash in the minors. I put him higher on my list than most of the other right handers available, especially as a 6th/7th inning, low pressure guy.
Huston Street - Could this guy really settle for a minor league deal? I don't know but if the Indians could get him on one I would like the gamble.
OUTFIELD
We don't really need any of the remaining free agent outfielders but guys like Melky Cabrera, Andre Ethier, Seth Smith and Jose Bautista would all be interesting and useful pickups if we could sign them to minor league deals with a June 1st opt out clause.
STARTING PITCHER
You can never have too much pitching, right? Still, what major league veteran who still thinks he has a lot in the tank would ever sign with a team that arguably has the best rotation in the majors? No one, so that leaves out John Lackey, Ubaldo Jimenez, RA Dickey and Matt Garza. That leaves guys like Scott Feldman, Jeff Locke and Chris Smith. I don't know what to make of Jake Peavy but that doesn't feel right to me for some reason.
INFIELD
Not a lot of need here so guys who would expect to play significantly like Brandon Phillips, Stpehen, Drew, JJ Hardy and Yunel Escobar would probably be out of the question. Mike Aviles, Aaron Hill and Arismendy Alcantara would seem like the only fits for a minor league deal.
CATCHER
Really, we don't have a need here unless we can get someone who is willing to go to AA. Like Crash Davis, a guy like Carolos Ruiz or Geovany Soto might be invaluable to help tutor some of our AA pitchers. Don't think that will happen but you never know.
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