"The Indians' infield is like Cleveland's weather. It changes by the hour, not the day.

Last year, veteran Orlando Cabrera was signed at the start of spring training to play second base, a position he'd rarely played in the big leagues. Jason Donald was the favorite to start at third, but broke his hand and Jack Hannahan, a non-roster player, won the job. All the while the road between Cleveland and Class AAA Columbus was being paved for prospects Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall.

Kipnis and Chisenhall eventually arrived to play second and third base, respectively. This spring we'll find out if they're ready to make those positions their own. The early line has Kipnis having a better grip on second than Chisenhall does on third. Chisenhall has to contend with Hannahan, while there is no clear-cut rival for Kipnis.

The big infield question is at first base. Will it be Matt LaPorta, overcoming 2 1/2 years of mediocrity? Or an in-house hybrid of LaPorta, Carlos Santana, Shelley Duncan and others? "