Roster Debate - Middle Infielders

This is the first in a series of discussions about our roster and how it will shake out this fall.  

So let's talk about the middle infielders on the current roster:

Amed Rosario - Not much to say here.  The only way you move this guy off of shortstop is if you have someone who replaces him such that Amed at new position + new SS > Amed at SS but someone else at the other position.  For me, Rosario is the SS and is on the team (Duh!)

Andres Gimenez - Here is where it gets dicey.   Gimenez should likely be your secondbaseman next year. But his performance and body language makes me wonder if that would be acceptable to him.   I don't think there is any way we DFA him but I could see us trading him after the season if we think he is going to be a problem on the field or in the locker room if he doesn't start at SS. 

Yu Chang - Does he make this team next year?  That question is easily answered if Gimenez is the second baseman.  Chang makes an offensive infielder who can play all the IF positions and have some offense while not killing us on defense.  He has learned to be an infield role player and is finding success at it. It would also be great if he could play a little LF, too.  

Ernie Clement - His game on Tuesday was great.   Great defense, another HR.   But when you look at his resume, his whole body of work, the guy is just a gamer...and no more.  He is homegrown and I would rather have him on the team than grizzled veteran A, B or C who is signed to a minor league deal.  However, if Gimenez plays second and is successful we don't need Clement, his loss IS impactful but not as impactful as losing Jose Fermin or Johnkensy Noel or, frankly, even Konnor Pilkington.   He is a utility infielder and we have more middle infielders banging on the door to Progressive Field.  He is a guy for the 80s when our team sucked and we were grasping at straws.   He is NOT the player the contending Cleveland Indians need on their roster.  So Clement likely is traded or DFA'd.

Owen Miller - Whereas Clement is giving you all that you have and more than you thought you would get, Miller is giving you NOTHING of what you thought you would get and doing so in a frustratingly, I-am-lost-as-hell-and-I-don't-know-how-to-fix-it kinda way.  My gut says that we should keep Miller on the roster because he CAN'T be that bad.   Unfortunately, I have to keep him over Clement.   If I cut Miller after spring training or send him to Columbus to rot for the season, DFAing him when I need a roster  spot, so be it.   But, right now, he CAN'T be this bad, can he?

So, in summary, if we do the right thing for a contending team we are forced to keep Gimenez, Chang and Miller.   All can be traded later if they don't perform but, right now, the potential for each of them is much more than Clement and we need the roster space.  

Next the bullpen!