Spring Training stuff

Spring training exhibition games haven't started yet but there is some news coming out of camp. From the Plain Dealer:

Multiyear deal for Sizemore?

I like that idea. The Indians have had success with signing young players to contracts which avoid the arbitration process.

Travis Hafner, bothered by an ailing right elbow the past two years, says he's ready to play 20 to 30 games at first base this season. "The elbow feels fine," he said. Hafner was limited to one game at first last season and 12 in 2004.

I'll believe it when I see it. Hafner's availability to play first will affect how much the team can rest catcher Victor Martinez at DH. Martinez caught 142 games last year. Relatedly, Terry Pluto has an article in the Akron Beacon Journal saying that resting Martinez was a primary reason the Indians insisted on catching prospect Kelly Shoppach be included in the Coco Crisp trade.

According to Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News, Austin Kearns has reported to camp considerably lighter than last year. Kearns' weight has been a source of contention between him and management in the past. Not much pitching to speak of, but the Reds should put some serious runs up on the scoreboard.