Tag: Stan Coveleski

TWIWBL 11.3: Notes from Series IX – Effa Manley Division

On July 11, 2021

#Cleveland Spiders

Both Phenomenal Smith and Nap Lajoie were eligible to return from the DL for the Spiders. Smith will head to AAA for a rehab assignment, but Lajoie rejoins the big league club, with Kenny Lofton heading back to Buffalo. Lofton was never really given a shot, which is puzzling given that Larry Doby is still struggling to get his OPS to .600.

A single by Bill Dahlen in the bottom of the 14th gave the Spiders a come from behind win over Kansas City. The player of the game was probably Stan Coveleski, who allowed 1 run in over 4 innings of relief, but he wasn’t involved in the decision with the win going to Chuck Porter, who improved his record to 3-2. Dahlen finished the game 3-for-6 with 2 RBIs, and Louis Santop had 3 hits as well.

Pinch-hitting in the bottom of the 9th, Ron Blomberg hit his 8th homerun of the year to give the Spiders a 4-3 victory in the 3rd game of the series with the Monarchs. Bob Feller earned the win with 4 innings of hitless relief, following a largely ineffective Cy Young, and Terry Adams picked up his 9th save.

The Spiders needed a starter, and sent the highly ineffective Chad Qualls to AAA in favor of Hardie Henderson.

On the one hand, once-time wunderkind Rowland Office, Sammy Strang, and Doby are all struggling, with OPS around .600; on the other, the Spiders are surging. So, for now, all 3 stay in the WBL, but the clock is ticking.

#Homestead Grays

Needing a starter, the Grays send Bartolo Colon back down to AAA after just 4 innings of work, bringing up 21 year-old John Candelaria to make the start in their final game against Indianapolis.

Candelaria was mediocre, allowing 10 baserunners over 7 innings, but only 4 runs. A long homerun by Pops Stargell, 3 hits from Davey Johnson, and 4 RBI’s from Roberto Clemente helped drive the Grays to an 11-4 victory.

Stan Bahnsen has allowed 4 hits and no runs in 8 innings, enough for him to slide into the rotation. Jeff Kent was sent to AAA with Phil Garner getting the call to the big leagues (Bill Mazeroski is hitting a little better than Garner, but Garner’s defensive versatility was probably the deciding factor).

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Jake Stenzel hit a grand slam, more than enough to support a fantastic outing by Red Faber against Homestead. Faber allowed 4 hits in the complete game effort as the ABC’s won easily, 9-1.

Looking for a way to get Edd Roush more playing time, the ABC’s have inserted him into a platoon with Dave Henderson in CF. Perhaps more importantly, Joe Morgan was finally cleared to return from the DL, waiving Lonny Frey.

#New York Black Yankees

The Eric Davis RBI engine just keeps on going–given a start against the Gothams, Davis went 3-for-4 with a double and a homerun and 4 RBIs in a 5-3 victory for the Black Yankees. The win went to AJ Burnett and the save to Sparky Lyle, his 4th.

Despite the win, Burnett was sent to AAA to straighten himself out, with Cole Hamels being recalled into New York’s bullpen. The Black Yankees would gladly move Craig Counsell (178/260/289), but their only real option is Aaron Hill, who isn’t hitting that well all the way down at AA, so for the time being, they’ll accept Counsell’s lack of offense in exchange for his defensive versatility.

#Philadelphia Stars

Ray Collins gave up 6 hits–3 to Alexei Ramirez–in a complete game shutout of Miami, improving his record to 4-0 and lowering his ERA to 2.57. Collins was helped by homeruns from Jose Ramirez–the first of his WBL career–and Sherm Lollar.

Trailing 9-5 after 5 innings, the Stars scored the next 5 runs in a 10-9 victory. Mickey Doolin and Buck Freeman had 3 RBIs each, and Scott Rolen had 4 hits. Each of the three of them hit homeruns, with the victory going to Rheal Cormier (3-0) and Bob Howry earning his 10th save.

Jack Easton was sent to the IL with a burnt hand, having not really done enough to guarantee a return to Philadelphia when he becomes eligible. Larry Jackson was recalled to take his place.

Another ineffective outing by Pedro Feliciano has ended his time in the WBL for now, with the reliever unable to get his ERA into single digits. Don Carman was promoted to take his spot in the bullpen, and Feliciano was eventually waived to clear room on the 40-man roster for other transactions.

Jackson was quickly returned to AAA, with Bob McClure moving to Philadelphia and 37-year old Ken Forsch being released. The Stars have declined to indicate whether Jaret Wright or JM Ward will take the final rotation spot.

Gene DeMontreville has some value with his glove, but hitting 156/156/178 is rough, and his defense means less on a team with Doolin already at SS. DeMontreville was sent to AAA, with 22-year old Jimmy Rollins recalled from AA to backup Doolin.

Series VII Featured Matchup: Ottawa Mounties @ Cleveland Spiders

By mknn

On June 13, 2021

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Series preview here.

April 26: Game 1 – Roy Halladay v Cy Young

A topsy-turvy game featuring two hurlers struggling to live up to their high expectations.

Things started rough for Cy Young, as he allowed 2 runs with 2 outs in the top of the first on consecutive doubles by Larry Walker and Phil Bradley, and an RBI single by Emil Gross.

Cleveland’s Rowland Office–just back from a stint on the DL–tied it up in the bottom of the 2nd with a 2-run HR off Halladay, and the Spiders took the lead an inning later on an RBI triple from Louis Santop, who scored on a groundout by John Ellis giving Cleveland a 4-2 edge.

But Young was far from his best, giving up a double to Gross and a single to Freddy Parent to start the 4th inning. Gross would score when Santop’s throw to 2B on Parent’s steal attempt sailed into the OF.

In the top of the 5th, Anthony Rendon led off against Young with a double, but was thrown out trying to stretch it to third. That seemed to settle Young down for a few innings, and the game remained 4-3 in favor of Cleveland until the bottom of the 6th, when Halladay surrendered another HR to Office, this one a 3-run shot to extend the Spiders’ advantage to 7-3.

Young would give up a 2-run HR to Walker in the top of the 7th, making it 7-5, and would finally be chased from the contest after walking Gross with 1 out in the 8th. Chuck Porter relieved Young, and promptly walked Parent and gave up a 2-run triple to Terry Puhl, tying the game at 7.

Cleveland would respond in the bottom of the 8th when, with 2 outs, Chuck Knoblauch singled and stole second. Larry Doby, mired in a horrible slump, delivered a pinch-hit single to score Knoblauch, and Terry Adams got the final 3 outs, preserving the win for the Spiders.

The Spiders were led by Office, who ended the game 3-for-4 with 5 RBI’s and Santop, who raised his BA to an even .300 with a 4-for-4 performance.

For Ottawa, Walker, Gross, and Parent had 2 hits each.

OTT 7 (M. Dubiel 1-2) @ CLE 8 (C. Porter 2-2, 2 BS; T. Adams 5 Sv)
HRs: OTT – L. Walker (4); CLE – R. Office 2 (2)
Box Score

April 27: Game Two – Rained Out

Game two of the series was rained out, rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on April 28th.

April 28: Game Two – Old Hoss Radbourn @ Whit Wyatt

Whit Wyatt rolled into the early game of the doubleheader with an ERA under 2 and looking like a contender for the Brock Rutherford Award. Then Ottawa sent 8 batters to the plate, scoring 3 runs with RBIs from Carlos Delgado, Freddy Parent, and Gary Carter.

John Ellis would get one back for Cleveland, doubling home Johnny Bates in the bottom of the first, but Ottawa’s Old Hoss Radbourn had his full repertoire working.

Wyatt, in contrast, continued to struggle: an RBI single by Parent added a run in the top of the 2nd and Tim Raines added a 2-run HR in the top of the 3rd, pushing the lead to 6-1.

Radbourn couldn’t solve Ellis, who lashed a 2-run HR in the bottom of the 3rd, halving Ottawa’s lead to 6-3, and, in the bottom of the 5th, a sacrifice fly from Ron Blomberg made it a 2 run game, 6-4.

Larry Walker had to leave the game after Blomberg’s sac fly–if he is forced back to the DL, that’s a major hit to the Mounties.

Radbourn hit his stride, and Wyatt’s replacement, Stan Coveleski, matched him frame for frame–a great job, given how wrecked the Spiders’ bullpen could have been with another game to play on the day. But Ottawa jumped on Chad Qualls, who replaced Coveleski in the top of the 9th, for 2 more runs on an Anthony Rendon double and a sacrifice fly from Delgado.

So we went to the bottom of the 9th with Ottawa holding what looked like a comfortable 4 run lead, 8-4.

An error by Delgado let pinch-hitter Peanuts Lowrey reach first base to start the inning, and after a groundout by Chuck Knoblauch, Jake Stahl tripled to right field, scoring Lowery.

That brought in Ottawa’s closer, Tom Henke, who had been perfect on the season. He gave up a deep flyball to Louis Santop, scoring Stahl, and then a homerun to Kenny Lofton for his first earned run of the year. This was Lofton’s first WBL start, making it even more surprising. Henke retired Bates to end the game, and the Mounties took the first game of the doubleheader, 8-7.

For Ottawa, Raines stole 3 bases and scored 4 runs, going 3-for-4 on the day, and Parent added 3 hits.

The Spiders were led by Blomberg’s 3 hits and Ellis’ 3 RBIs.

OTT 8 (Radbourn 2-2; Henke 8 Sv) @ CLE 7 (Wyatt 1-1)
HRs: OTT – Raines (4); CLE – Ellis (6), Lofton (1)
Box Score

April 28: Game Three – Bob Brown @ Pat Malone

It’s really hard to sweep a doubleheader … but that’s what Ottawa’s Bob Brown would attempt as he took the mound to face Cleveland’s Pat Malone.

Brown suffered from control issues, and the Spiders opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd, when a single by Louis Santop was followed by walks to Rowland Office and Jake Stahl to load the bases. Struggling Larry Doby followed with a double-play ball that Ottawa SS Alex Rodriguez booted, allowing a run to score. Chuck Knoblauch added a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead for the Spiders.

They would add another run in the 3rd on consecutive groundouts following a double by Ron Blomberg, with Office’s out scoring the run.

Three 2-out singles in the top of the 4th put the Mounties on the board, with Emil Gross driving in Rodriguez and, an inning later, Tim Raines would hit a solo homerun to close the lead to 3-2.

Recently recalled P Jamie Moyer took over from Brown in the 6th, and was greeted by a double by Knoblauch. Moyer then plunked Sammy Strang, and Blomberg plated both of them with a single, extending the lead to 5-2. Moyer survived the inning, but was replaced by Monk Dubiel who closed out the game strong for the Mounties.

It was never a comfortable lead, as Ottawa had opportunities, but Mel Harder and Terry Adams were solid in relief of Malone. The game ended when Kenny Lofton–he of the walkoff HR in the first game and inserted as a defensive substitute in this one–made a diving catch in right-center field to end the game.

Phil Bradley and Ken Griffey, Jr (who may be emerging from his season-long slump) had two hits for Ottawa; Blomberg had 3 hits and 2 RBIs for Cleveland.

OTT 2 (Brown 0-2) @ CLE 5 (Malone 3-1; Harder 1 H; Adams 6 Sv)
HRs: OTT – Raines (5)
Box Score

April 29: Game Four – Randy Johnson @ Bill Steen

Bill Steen has exceeded expectations so far, coming into the game with a 1-0 record and a 2.30 ERA. Ottawa will try to bring him back to Earth much as they did Whit Wyatt, and will hope that the erratic Randy Johnson (1-3, 7.27) can deliver a solid performance. The Big Unit has either been quite good or horrid, with his worst starts hinging on an inability to locate his fastball.

This was not one of his good starts. But Steen wasn’t great, either giving up 11 hits in 5.2 IP. Somehow, though, the 12 baserunners (Steen walked one) only added up to 2 earned runs (3, total).

Johnson, on the other hand, also gave up 11 hits, but in only 4.2 IP and walked 3, with 9 runs scoring against him. The key hits were a 2-run double from Sammy Strang and a 3-run HR from Chuck Knoblauch that chased Johnson from the game.

Cleveland was led by Knoblauch, who went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored from the leadoff spot and Ron Blomberg, who delivered another 3-hit game. Perhaps as importantly, Evan Longoria showed signs of emerging from his doldrums with a 3-for-5 day.

For Ottawa, Ken Griffey, Jr. isn’t hot yet, but he’s got his average all the way up to .211 with a homerun in 4 at-bats. Phil Bradley added 4 hits and Anthony Rendon 3, but the Mounties left a whopping 13 batters on base. Jim Clancy was OK in relief of Johnson, allowing 1 run in 2 innings, and Gary Lavelle closed the game out with 1.1 IP of scoreless relief.

For Cleveland, Cory Gearrin and Chuck Porter combined for 3.1 IP of 1-run ball behind Steen.

OTT 3 (Johnson 1-4) @ CLE 10 (Steen 2-0)
HRs: OTT – Griffey, Jr. (4); CLE – Knoblauch (2)
Box Score

Series Notes

Cleveland got good performances from Louis Santop, who was 7-for-12 with 4 RBIs and Jake Stahl, who was 6-for-12 with 4 extra-base hits. But the Spiders were led by Ron Blomberg, who had 10 hits in 15 at-bats with 6 RBIs.

For Ottawa, Tim Raines was 5-for-17 with 2 HRs and 4 SBs, Freddy Parent was 5-for-9, and Phil Bradley was 7-for-13 in the series.

TWIWBL 1.0: Final Preseason Notes

By mknn

On August 23, 2020

In TWIWBL

#BAL

Bill Byrd was moved from the DL to the 5th rotation spot as expected–we’ll see if the risk pays off for the Black Sox. Miller Huggins, acquired from Indianapolis, steps into most of the playing time at 2B (Larry Gardner will play there some as well). Huggins cost Baltimore Rube Foster in a league where pitching is at a premium, so there’s some risk there.

Rick Ferrell, Don Aase, Jesse Burkett, and Bill Sweeney were all designated for assignment to make space on the 40 man roster.

#BBB

Birmingham has had to rejuggle some key parts of their roster as DH Emil Frisk, one of their standout Spring performers, will miss about 5 weeks with a concussion. The Black Barons have recalled Billy Southworth from AAA Atlanta.

#BRK

Tommy Corcoran showed enough to play at the WBL, but he still has minor league options, so along with Pee Wee Reese, untested Dickie Thon breaks camp at SS for Brooklyn.

#CAG

Julio Gotay went from competing for a WBL role at SS to being waived, as Chicago broke camp with Damian Jackson as a reserve IF instead.

#CLE

The Spiders picked up 3B Evan Longoria from Miami. Longoria will pair with Ken Keltner, sending Bob Elliott to AAA. Whit Wyatt will likely miss his first start of the season, with Stan Coveleski most likely to take his place.

#DET

The Wolverines made a minor deal coming out of Spring Training, picking up RP Ron Perranoski and 3B Billy Nash. Perranoski may see the big leagues this season; Nash is several years away. Si Johnson has some elbow tenderness, putting his first start in doubt: Detroit has 4 SP in their bullpen, so there are plenty of candidates to take his place.

#HOD

House of David RP Lee Smith was sent to AAA after he came off the DL. In a smaller deal, they obtained CF Jim Edmonds, who will start the year in the minors.

In a much bigger deal, the HoD picked up CF Pete Browning, Ps Rollie Fingers and Eddie Rommel, SS Bert Campenaris, and 1B Mark McGwire. All but

#IND

15 year old Piggy Ward was waived. The ABC’s added Rube Foster to their pitching staff from Baltimore, pushing Virgil Trucks to the bullpen to open the season.

#MIA

With 2 separate deals, Miami welcomed 1B/3B Jim Thome, CF Gus Bell, 1B Will Clark, C Harry Danning, and OF Carlos Moran to the club. It’s a little bit of a confusing haul, but a couple of things are clear from it: first, the club’s commitment to Martin Dihigo is solidified by clearing the way for the versatile 17 year old; secondly, Paul Molitor was recalled to Miami, presumably to play 2B while Dihigo develops.

Moran makes the roster as well, but Danning and Bell are both players for the future at this point.

#NYA

A bit of a blockbuster brought 27 year old Mike Schmidt–who had a historically bad Spring–over from Philadelphia. Schmidt steps into a lineup with no pressure, moving ahead of Doug DeCinces in the pecking order.

#NYG

The Gothams gained a starting 2B in Cookie Rojas and some veteran offense at 1B in Joe Adcock in a a trade with Miami. OF Yasiel Puig and P Livan Hernandez were also acquired in the deal, and moved to the minors.

#OTT

The most surprising news to come out of Ottawa is that SS Freddy Parent–considered one of the prizes on the market–remains with the team. Despite talent to offer at 1B as well, the Mounties were quiet on the preseason trading front.

#PHI

Moving Schmidt not only cleared the way for Scott Rolen at 3B, it also netted Philadelphia 2 big league talents in C Bill Dickey and OF Aaron Judge, as well as prospect 1B Prince Fielder. Dickey steps into a platoon with Sherm Lollar while Judge will begin the season in the minors.

3 P’s were released: Bob Moose, Edwin Jackson, and Hal Kelleher.

#SFS

The Seals made a deal that left their fan base scratching their head. But they’re confident that 20 year old SS Dick Lundy has a great future, OF Bobby Bonds will step right in at the WBL level, and Nick Altrock will prove a useful arm to have around. All 3 made the roster, sending Eddie Miller to the minors.

Season Preview: Cleveland Spiders

By mknn

On August 19, 2020

In Team News

Not a lot was expected of the Spiders heading into this season. And that was before 2 rotation starters and their starting C and CF were all injured. The bullpen looks strong, and there is some decent offensive talent, just not enough to convince. A lot hinges on whether Rowland Office can continue the level of performance that forced him onto the roster.

Final Roster

SP: ~~Whit Wyatt~~, Cy Young, Bob Feller, Pat Malone, Mel Harder.
RP: Sam McDowell, Stan Coveleski & Hardie Henderson; Chuck Porter & Yordano Ventura; Cory Gearrin & Chad Qualls; Terry Adams.

C: ~~Louis Santop~~; John Ellis; Andy Etchebarren.
1B: Jake Stahl; Nap Lajoie
2B: Chuck Knoblauch
3B: Ken Keltner; Bob Elliott
SS: Bill Dahlen; Bill Knickerbocker
LF: Rowland Office
CF: Larry Doby
RF: Johnny Bates
DH: Ron Blomberg

Notes

Anticipated opening day starter Whit Wyatt headed to the DL with a herniated disk. He’ll be back within a couple weeks, but it throws what was a settled rotation into a bit of disorder … it does keep both Sudden Sam McDowell and Stan Coveleski on the roster for a while as well … The Spiders start the season with a full DL, with Doug Corbett, Phenomenal Smith, Bill Steen, Louis Santop, Sammy Strang, and Tris Speaker all out. Corbett, Steen, and Strang should all be back around the same time as Wyatt … Santop’s injury moves John Ellis into the starting C slot and keeps Andy Etchebarren on the roster for the time being … Rowland Office has gone from Spring roster filler to starting LF after a 385/418/673 Spring, challenging the Spiders to find playing time for both him and Johnny Bates … the final cut was a bit of a shock, as Kenny Lofton looked to slot right in as Speaker’s replacement. Instead, Cleveland has opted for an OF with Office, Bates, Larry Doby, and Ron Blomberg splitting time … the dearth of production at SS has Cleveland trying to engineer a deal for Ottawa’s Freddy Parent …

35 year old P Stan Coveleski is the oldest player on the opening day roster, with 19 year old SP Bob Feller the youngest.

1B is quite deep for Cleveland, with Jim Thome and Hal Trosky waiting at AAA for a chance to contributed and 20 year old Charlie Grimm biding his time at AA.

Getting to 30: Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On August 7, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

#Cleveland Spiders

The pitching staff seems set with Hank Gastright and Firpo Marberry heading back to the minors. The only real question is the long reliever roles, where 1 or 2 of Hardie Henderson, Sudden Sam McDowell, and Stan Coveleski will make the roster. They’ve all struggled a bit, especially with their control.

Surprisingly, Jim Thome ends up losing the battle at 1B. But 5 players remain on the roster who can play 1B, and all of them were significantly better than Thome during the Spring.

SS is just a desolation for the Spiders: neither Bill Dahlen, Joe Sewell, or Tom Veryzer have hit over .133 or posted an OPS over .360 over the Spring games. Bill Knickerbocker has shown some spark, but it’s only been 10 ABs. Sewell and Veryzer are sent down for now, but a better performance has to come out eventually.

#Homestead Grays

Ray Brown and John Candelaria stay in camp as long relievers, which means Bartolo Colon and Babe Adams are off to the minors.

Josh Lindblom is holding on to the closer role, but Kent Tekulve and Michael Jackson are clearly poised to help out if he falters.

Khalil Greene impressed enough in his stint to beat out Jay Bell for the backup SS role behind Arky Vaughan. The final cut was rough, first of all because Paul Waner‘s short-term injury complicates the situation. Beyond that, Honus Wagner has struggled, but has shown some power, making Phil Garner the final cut for now.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

The ABC’s are one of the few teams to have an embarrassment of riches of starting pitching. It’s great for them, but makes the roster cuts rough. Rob Dibble and Lefty James in the bullpen are locks, as are Red Faber, Dolf Luque, and Johnny Cueto in the rotation. Paul Derringer joins as the 4th starter.

The 5th slot is between Virgil Trucks, David Price, and Bronson Arroyo. But Willie Mitchell and Dixie Leverett would have earned starting positions on other teams: look for their return or for them to be trade bait.

The rest of the cuts were pretty pedestrian, if a little surprising: Barry Larkin was eliminated from the crush of options at SS, Charlie Hemphill just couldn’t do enough in the OF.

#New York Black Yankees

Like Indianapolis, too much starting pitching is a blessing in disguise. Ron Guidry is a lock, along with Red Ruffing and Dave Righetti. Beyond that, 5 pitchers are competing for 4 spots: 2 in the rotation, 2 in the pen. AJ Burnett, Lady Baldwin, Waite Hoyt, and Whitey Ford all deserve another start, while Jack Scott should get some more bullpen innings before the final decision.

It’s complicated by Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage both being sidelined with injury.

Luckily 4 of the 6 remaining cuts are clear, as Joe Harris, Chris Brown, Hardy Richardson, and Aaron Hill head to AAA. Sam Thompson will join them, but the final cut is difficult, especially as both Red Rolfe and Moose Skowron have torn the cover off the ball in limited action. Skowron has the biggest challenge to make the team, as 1B is well blocked, so he also returns to the minors.

#Philadelphia Stars

There are 2 pending questions on the pitching staff: first, while Monte Ward, Jack Katoll, and Pete Alexander are all on the roster, it’s not clear who starts the season as the 5th starter. Second, Brad Kilby, Rheal Cormier, and Pedro Feliciano are 3 hurlers trying to fill 2 spots.

Mickey Doolin can’t return from injury soon enough; in the meantime, Larry Bowa will start at SS, backed up by Roger Peckingpaugh, with Pat Meares heading to the minors.

Sending both Bobby Abreu and Dusty Baker to AAA clears up a crowded OF, and Cecil Cooper will join them after failing to displace Ted Kluszewski at 1B.

Spring Training Preview: Cleveland

By mknn

On June 21, 2020

In Team News

The starting rotation seems set, which means Hardie Henderson, Whit Wyatt, Stan Coveleski, and Bill Steen are battling for some long relief innings.
- Injuries to Steen and Phenomenal Smith have opened some opportunities here, especially with Smith being out until sometime in June. Adding to the uncertainty, the projected top 3–Bob Feller, Pat Malone, and Mel Harder–have all struggled mightily. It feels like Cy Young and Wyatt will end up in the rotation, but its all up for grabs right now.
  - Wyatt, Young Feller, and Henderson are in, leaving 5 pitchers–Harder, Malone, Coveleski, Hank Gastright, and Sudden Sam McDowell–vying for the final slot.
Chad Qualls and Terry Adams are fighting for the closer role.
- Cory Gearrin, Qualls, and Doug Corbett will setup Adams at the back end of the bullpen. Firpo Marberry has been recalled for some help in middle relief.
Louis Santop has an edge over John Ellis to start at C who has an edge over Andy Etchebarren to back him up.
- Ellis’ Spring has him pushing for playing time, but he won’t displace Top behind the plate.
Jake Stahl and Hal Trosky are fighting to backup Jim Thome at 1B as are Bob Elliot and Sammy Strang at 3B behind Ken Keltner.
- Not only has Strang played well, his ability to serve as a backup to Chuck Knoblauch at 2B probably assures him a roster spot.
  - 1B is very crowded, making Trosky’s Spring struggles enough to send him to AAA.
Bill Dahlen starts at SS, and Joe Sewell looks to be his backup, but Tom Veryzer could slip in if the Spiders decide a defensive option at SS is needed.
- If Sewell continues to hit no better than Veryzer, the better glove will make the roster.
  - None of them have an OPS over .300. OPS. Someone had better hit soon. Bill Knickerbocker has been recalled to see if some more competition helps.
Either Harry Stovey or Kenny Lofton should make the team, but probably not both.
- Tris Speaker is out for several months, opening the door for Lofton. Gus Bell, called up from AAA, will also get a look as a CF option.
- The Spiders have also recalled OF Rowland Office and IF Jim Gantner to help with the Spring roster.
  - Office is making an argument to stay; Gantner is just sticking around for Spring flexibility.

	Near Definite	Likely	Possible	Long Shot
Starting Pitchers	Whit Wyatt Cy Young	Bob Feller Hardie Henderson	~~Phenomenal Smith~~ Stan Coveleski Hank Gastright Sam McDowell Pat Malone Mel Harder	~~Bill Steen~~
Middle Relievers			Chuck Porter Yordano Ventura	Firpo Marberry
Setup		Chad Qualls Doug Corbett Cory Gearrin
Closer		Terry Adams
C	Louis Santop	John Ellis		Andy Etchebarren
1B		Jake Stahl Jim Thome	Napoleon Lajoie
2B		Chuck Knoblauch Sammy Strang		Jim Gantner
3B		Ken Keltner	Bob Elliott
SS			Bill Dahlen Joe Sewell Tom Veryzer	Bill Knickerbocker
OF	~~Tris Speaker~~	Harry Stovey Larry Doby Johnny Bates	Ron Blomberg Kenny Lofton Rowland Office	Gus Bell