The Cleveland Indians find themselves in a bit of a pickle when it comes to the outfield. Ezequiel Carrera is in camp competing for the fourth outfielder spot but as Jordan Bastian of MLB.com wrote on Monday, Feb. 25, 2013:
“Given that Carrera is out of Minor League options, Cleveland essentially has two choices: place him on the active roster or risk losing him in waivers.”
The Indians starting outfield is set with Michael Brantley in left field, Michael Bourn in center field, and Drew Stubbs in right field. Cleveland needs a versatile fourth outfield capable of playing the corners.
Carrera is certainly one of those candidates but he is in competition with the likes of Ryan Raburn, Ben Francisco, Yan Gomes, Chris McGuiness, and Jeremy Hermida—many of whom are capable of playing infield positions as well.
If the Indians have no intention on placing him on their opening day roster, they could explore trading him to another team before the end of spring. It is unlikely he would clear waivers without being claimed by another team.
"It's an important answer we have to find out this spring," manager Terry Francona said. "He's potentially a very good fit on our ballclub, and we need to find out. If not, we'll lose him."
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