Is it possible to improve on Indians ace Corey Kluber?

The ace(s) are revving up and spring carries on. With just a few short weeks to go until Opening Day, the rotation is looking pretty decent. That outfield, though? Well, that's still a bit up in the air. As that gets sorted out though, the Indians keep on winning.

Indians 9, Padres 4

Ace #2, Carlos Carrasco, threw three solid innings in an easy victory over San Diego. It was the Tribe's fourth Cactus League victory in a row, punctuated by Cookie's four strikeouts over three shutout innings. Possibly useful outfield cog Colin Cowgill drove in two runs with a double. Jason Kipnis, Jose Ramirez, and Mike Napoli joined the hit parade.

• Carrasco hurls three shutout innings in Indians win | Indians.com
• Indians, Carlos Carrasco too much for sun, San Diego Padres | Cleveland.com
• Carlos Carrasco, Jose Ramirez lead Indians over Padres | Ohio.com

Indians news & notes

Trying to improve Corey Kluber | Fangraphs - Corey Kluber is one of the best pitchers in the world, and his curveball is among the elite pitches in the game. His cut fastball, though, is damn near elite too. Fangraphs explores what would happen if he started to rely on it a little more.

Brantley ready for on-field batting practice | Indians.com - Dr. Smooth is doing well on the road to recovery. He has proceeded without setback thus far, and is ready to start taking some hacks.

Taking a peak at the Indians starting rotation | Burning River Baseball - BRB gives us a preview of the Tribe's "Big 3" as well as the likely candidates to fill out the rest of the rotations.

Will Tyler Naquin win a starting outfield job for the Indians? (video) | Cleveland.com - Hoynsie gets on the horn to discuss the latest buzz surrounding Naquin's potential debut on the Opening Day roster.

Gomes hustling his way to leadership role | Indians.com - Hustle, loyalty, and respect: John Cena Yan Gomes does it all, and his manager and teammates are beginning to take notice.

Carrasco switching to consistent arm angle | Indians.com - Carlos claims he was throwing his fastball at a higher arm angle, and he's been working through the spring to correct that. If yesterday's outing was any indication, it's working.

Cleveland Indians: seeing where the team stands in a week | Wahoo's On First - A week into the spring, how do things stand? WOF adds their two cents to the storylines that have been developing so far.

Tidbits from around the league

• Lots to report today in the "unwritten rules" department of baseball
• Goose Gossage is the latest to go on a ridiculous anti-"nerd" rant, and then he sort of clarified his old man rage
• Jose Bautista took the high ground in response to being called a "f---ing disgrace"
• ESPN Magazine explains why Bryce Harper is on a mission to change baseball forever
• Of course the Harper piece elicited responses from the reactionary crowd, including hypocrite Giants pitcher Sergio Romo
• Fangraphs tackles the myth of the qualifying offer
• LGFT Jhonny Peralta is going to be out 10-12 weeks with thumb surgery