3-29-09 Morning Roundup

Josh Barfield earned the final spot on the bench yesterday by beating out Trevor Crowe and Tony Graffanino.

Barfield, a second baseman by trade, learned how to play third base and the outfield this spring. Here are the stories on it:

Sheldon Ocker- Akron Beacon Journal
Paul Hoynes-Plain Dealer
Anthony Castrovince-MLB.com
Terry Pluto-Plain Dealer

It sounds as if Trevor Crowe may be the first player recalled from Triple A when needed or when the Indians move on from Dave Dellucci.

Dellucci was scratched from a spring training game yesterday with calf tightness.

Is it just me or does Dellucci just feel like Juan Gonzalez this year? Remember when Gonzalez made the team over Grady Sizemore? He then pulled his hamstring on his first at bat, ending his career.

Not that the talent levels are anywhere close to Sizemore and Gonzalez, but it is the same type situation.

Crowe actually might be better losing to Barfield in this situation Anthony Castrovince wrote in his blog.

Josh Barfield over Trevor Crowe for that last bench spot. This might be one of those competitions you're better off losing. It's hard to envision Barfield getting a heck of a lot of playing time up here. Crowe, on the other hand, will be an everyday guy at Triple-A Columbus.

This is just my opinion, but if the Indians really felt Barfield is their second baseman of the future -- and they will probably need a second baseman in the not-too-distant future, if they shift Jhonny Peralta to third and Asdrubal Cabrera to second -- they'd have him playing every day in Columbus, and they wouldn't have acquired Luis Valbuena.

The Indians are hopeful reliever Masa Kobayashi can rebound.

Paul Hoynes answered some letters in his mail bag.

One fan asked him when he was going to start Twittering. I know I am a lot younger than Paul, but Twittering isn't in the cards for me either.

Well, unless someone can convince me how it is beneficial. get to work Internet world!