Indians' manager Manny Acta experienced an eventful week.
Shortly after learning that he was losing his 200-innings workhorse pitcher Fausto Carmona for an indefinite period following Carmona's arrest for identity theft in the Dominican Republic, Acta learned that the Central Division-rival Detroit Tigers had signed free agent slugger Prince Fielder.
"It would have been nice if he had signed somewhere else," Acta said. "They definitely have an intimidating middle of the lineup."
In 2011, the Indians finished second in the Central Division, 15 games behind the first place Tigers.
The Indians had hoped to take steps at closing that gap during the offseason, but while the Tigers have added Fielder, the Indians haven't done much during the offseason to address their No. 1 need, to add another hitter.
That hitter, preferably, would be a first baseman.
Fielder and Albert Pujols were obviously out of the Indians' price range. However, they did have an interest in Carlos Pena, who ultimately signed with Tampa Bay.
Casey Kotchman remains available, but with the start of spring training less than a month away, the Indians had yet to make a significant move to improve their offense.
If no first baseman is acquired, the options at that position will remain Matt LaPorta, who has been a huge disappointment since his acquisition from Milwaukee in the CC Sabathia trade four years ago, and Carlos Santana, the Indians' starting catcher who saw considerable playing time at first base in 2011.
Acta said Santana will continue to get significant playing time at first base on days he's not catching. Acta is reluctant to put a number on how many games Santana will play at first in 2012, but the first base option for Santana "is always going to be there," according to Acta.
The bulk of the hitters acquired by the Indians during the offseason have been non-roster players signed to minor league contracts and invited to the major league training camp as non-roster players.
That list includes Ryan Spilborghs, Felix Pie, Fred Lewis, Gregorio Petit, Andy LaRoche, Matt Pagnozzi, and Jose Lopez.
General Manager Chris Antonetti said the Indians will continue to look at all options for improving the team's offense in what remains of the offseason.
However, Antonetti acknowledged that it might be that the Indians will be unable to add that hitter until sometime during, or near the end of spring training.
NOTES, QUOTES
Indians place troubled Carmona on the restricted list
--RHP Fausto Carmona, who was recently arrested for identity theft in the Dominican Republic, was placed on the restricted list by the Indians on Jan. 26. While on the list, Carmona does not count against the Indians' 25 or 40-man roster and he does not get paid. Following the 2011 season, the Indians picked up the $7 million club option on Carmona's contract. General manager Chris Antonetti said the team will have no comment on the Carmona situation.
--RHP Dan Wheeler has been signed to a minor league contract and invited to the Indians' major league training camp as a non-roster player. Wheeler, 34, has a career record of 25-43 with a 3.88 ERA in 577 appearances. Last year with Boston Wheeler was 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA in 47 relief appearances.
--RHP Kevin Slowey, acquired in a trade with Colorado, has a pitching style similar to Indians' RHP Josh Tomlin, according to manager Manny Acta. "I like Slowey because he's a strike thrower who attacks hitters," Acta said. Slowey will compete with RHP Jeanmar Gomez, RHP Zach McAllister, and LHP David Huff for the spot in the starting rotation vacated by RHP Fausto Carmona, who was recently arrested in the Dominican Republic for identity theft.
--C Carlos Santana will continue to see some playing time at first base in 2012, perhaps even more if the Indians are unable to acquire a first baseman by opening day. "Everything depends on the rest of the offseason," manager Manny Acta said. The incumbent first baseman is Matt LaPorta, although Indians' officials say the disappointing LaPorta would have to win the job in spring training.
--OF Grady Sizemore has begun throwing and hitting workouts in Arizona as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. Indians officials expect Sizemore to be 100 percent at some point during spring training.
BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Number of arbitration eligible Indians players who as of Jan. 26 remained unsigned: SS Asdrubal Cabrera and LHP Rafael Perez.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I didn't anticipate he would land there." -- Manager Manny Acta, on free agent 1B Prince Fielder signing with the Central Division-rival Tigers.
ROSTER REPORT
The Indians finished the season with a rotation that is much less of a question mark than it was at the start, but they began to address it by acquiring RHP Derek Lowe from the Braves. RHPs Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin both won 12 games, and the midseason acquisition of RHP Ubaldo Jimenez gives the Indians a solid top three to their rotation. However, now they must deal with RHP Fausto Carmona being placed on the restricted list. The bullpen was playoff-caliber all year. Offensively, Cleveland has question marks in the outfield and at first base. The team also must decide on whether Carlos Santana, who played both catcher and first base in 2011, is better suited to play one position or the other full-time, or if he should continue to split time between the two spots.
ARRIVALS: OF Aaron Cunningham (trade with Padres), INF Jose Lopez (minor league free agent from Marlins), OF Felix Pie (minor league free agent from Orioles), RHP Derek Lowe (trade with Braves), RHP Kevin Slowey (trade with Rockies), RHP Dan Wheeler (minor league free agent from Red Sox).
DEPARTURES: INF/OF Luis Valbuena (traded to Blue Jays), DH Jim Thome (free agent, signed with Phillies).
FREE AGENTS: OF Kosuke Fukudome, RHP Chad Durbin.
Fukudome was a useful player after being a acquired in a trade with the Cubs, but there is no way the budget-conscious Indians will offer him anything close to the $13 million salary he made this year. Durbin will not be re-signed because the Indians have multiple, and more economically priced minor league prospects who can fill Durbin's role.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: SS Asdrubal Cabrera, LHP Rafael Perez.
The Indians might try to sign Cabrera, their MVP last year, to a multiyear deal, which would buy him out of his last arbitration year and beyond, although the club has of late shied away from such long-term deals.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--RHP Justin Masterson (arthroscopic left shoulder surgery in October 2011) should be ready for spring training.
--RHP Carlos Carrasco (Tommy John surgery in September 2011) will spend the offseason rehabbing. He is expected to miss the entire 2012 season.
--LF Michael Brantley (right hand surgery in August 2011) will spend the offseason rehabbing after having the hamate bone removed. He should be ready for spring training.
