In Left Field ???

Coming into Spring Training, The Cleveland Indians thought Michael Brantley would be their starting Left Fielder...Then, Grady Sizemore went down with another injury...This time, he needed back surgery...He's down for awhile...$5 million down the drain!

So Brantley and his speed has been moved to Center Field...So who's in Left?

Well it's been an open competition...Shelley Duncan, is my front-runner...Duncan is leading the team this spring with 5 home runs, and 14 RBI's...Duncan has also worked at 1st base...He looked good there last year, but the Tribe signed Casey Kotchman...Great, another weak hitting, good glove 1st baseman...If Duncan was there every day, his glove would be fine...He was also killing the ball last September when he got some legit playing time...

Also competing in LF is former 3B Russ Canzler...With Lonnie Chisenhall and Jack Hannahan at 3rd, there's no chance for Canzler there...But the some are hoping his bat can find it's way in the lineup via LF...Canzler has also worked at 1B...

Then there is Trevor Crowe, who has been hyped by the Indians PR machine for years, but has never panned out...Speedy Ezequiel Carrera and non-roster invitee Felix Pie have seen work in Left and center...But now Carrera and Thomas Neal, who had a limited shot, are out of the running...

Aaron Cunningham and Ryan Spilborghs have seen time in RF and LF...One of these guys will be most likely be the 4th OF with versatility...

Then of course, there is Matt LaPorta...LaPorta was the key piece in the C.C. Sabathia trade with Milwaukee...But so far he hasn't impressed...Instead, Brantley looks to be the highlight of that deal...LaPorta came in as a Left Fielder...Then the Indians put him at first...The kid doesn't look comfortable there and is still learning the position...And his bat has been inconsistent, and lacks the power that was promised...

With the way Duncan has swung the bat this Spring, and at the end of last season, I expect him to get the gig in Left...Brantley will be in Center, and Shin-Soo Choo will be in Right...Besides having Cunningham or Spilborghs as the 4th OF, Spilborghs seems to be ahead between those two...I expect Canzler to also make the team seeing time the same way they'll use Duncan, in LF, at 1B and DH...

Later, The Beeze.