Invited 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, 2B Jason Kipnis, LHP Drew Pomeranz, RHP Alex White, RHP Yohan Pino, RHP Zach Putnam, RHP Bryce Stowell, C Juan Apodaca, 2B/3B Cord Phelps, and OF Chad Huffman to Spring Training
While some of these players won't stick around long, there's outside shots for a couple of these guys to make the Opening Day roster. It looks like the Indians are not going to sign a third baseman to a major-league contract, leaving that position wide open to any number of players on the roster.
Third Base. Cord Phelps, who had a very nice finish to his 2010 season, is being moved to third. There will be competition, but his competitors (Jayson Nix, Luis Valbuena, Jack Hannahan, Jared Goedert) have their own flaws. Even Jason Donald, who came up a shortstop and was moved to second in 2010, is a possibility to play some third. Even if you think that Lonnie Chisenhall will be the third baseman in 2012, I'm starting to think trading one of the second baseman for an actual third baseman, even if it's just for a year or two, makes sense.
Second Base. I think the reason the Indians are talking about moving Donald to third is that they think Kipnis will crowd out all the competition at second. He hasn't played in Columbus yet, so they could have him clear that final hurdle. If he has an exceptional spring, though, it will be tempting to just give him the job.
Outfield. The Indians should be set in the outfield, assuming Grady Sizemore will be ready. Shelley Duncan could serve as the fifth outfielder/backup DH/pinch hitter, but whether there's a spot for him depends on how the infield configuration works out. Trevor Crowe and Ezquiel Carrera will be battling for playing time in Columbus and the higher spot on the depth chart. Chad Huffman doesn't really have a shot at making the big-league club, but should get at-bats in Columbus.
Bullpen. I don't think the Indians would want to move Alex White into a bullpen role just yet, but Putnam and Stowell have outside shots of making the club.