The Cleveland Indians are heading into the 2019 season missing

GOODYEAR Bernie Williams Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — some big bats from last year’s lineup. They hope Jake Bauers brought one from Tampa.Bauers, who came over in a December trade with the Rays, is being counted on to help fill the power void left with the departures of sluggers Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso in trades and the Indians’ decision not to re-sign All-Star Michael Brantley as a free agent.As the three-time defending AL Central champions contend with unusually chilly and wet weather that has dumped an inch of rain on this arid area the past two days — significant for a region that typically only gets about eight inches a year — the 23-year-old Bauers has been getting in work to make sure he sprays the ball around this season.“I’m trying to use the whole field again, trying to stay left center-center field and open everything up as opposed to just kind of pulling the ball too much,” said Bauers, who batted .201 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs in 96 games after being brought up by the Rays last season.This year, Bauers is optimistic he can make an impact in all facets of the game.“Getting on base, maybe taking the extra base when I can, driving in runs, basically just doing whatever the situation calls for,” the easygoing Bauers said while sipping coffee in the clubhouse on Friday. “I think that’s what I was taught at a young age and it’s something I’m fairly good at.”Bauers can play first base and he’ll be one of several candidates to get a shot in a crowded outfield, a topic he discussed in a recent meeting with Indians manager Terry Francona.“We talked a lot about playing first base or left field and what the mix is going to be like,” said Bauers, who spends down time during camp hiking with his 9-month-old Golden Retriever-Cocker Spaniel mix, Praxton. “They just have some things to figure out. I’m sure as we get deeper into the spring C.C. Sabathia Jersey , we’ll sort that all out.”Bauers has displayed versatility, so what’s his biggest strength?With eyebrows raised, the self-proclaimed bad surfer from Huntington Beach, California, took in the question along with a deep breath.“Knowing how to win,” he said after a short pause. “I think that’s an underrated thing in today’s game. I think the things you can’t put on paper aren’t valued as much as they could be.”Bauers could also help the Indians in another vital area. The loss of Brantley, starter Josh Tomlin, All-Star catcher Yan Gomes and closer Cody Allen has created a vacuum in the clubhouse and dugout.“We’ve lost some guys that had terrific leadership qualities,” Francona said. “Guys like Tomlin, Brantley, there’s no getting around that. We don’t need to anoint leaders. The best way to lead is by example.”If Bauers can produce offensively the way he did for the Rays after his call-up last June, he’ll be leading in no time.Bauers batted .252 with five home runs in his first 36 games last season before the All-Star break. His numbers dipped toward the end of 2018, but the potential is evident.He’s eager to show his new teammates what he can do, and anxious to start at first when the Indians open their Cactus League season on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.“I think I got those excited butterflies when I think about it,” said Bauers http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-giancarlo-stanton-jersey , who will bat second.NOTES: Bench coach Brad Mills pulled a fast one on Francona. With the help of general manager Mike Chernoff, Mills orchestrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the USS Tito, a makeshift wooden boat that was constructed outside the Indians’ complex. The Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy, Thomas Modly, was flown in for the event and took pictures with Francona, who was given his own captain’s hat. Asked for remarks upon receiving his ship, Francona chuckled, “I’m humiliated.” … Adam Plutko will start Cleveland’s opener against Cincinnati. For the Reds, Tanner Roark fills in for Sonny Gray, who was scratched with elbow stiffness. WASHINGTON — With their fate as a team sealed, there are still a number of individual goals in play for the Washington Nationals, who meet the Miami Marlins in Game 2 of their series Tuesday night at Nationals Park.Nationals’ right-hander Max Scherzer (17-7, 2.57 ERA), for example, opposes right-hander Jeff Brigham (0-3 Andy Pettitte Jersey , 5.84) with Scherzer gunning for his third consecutive National League Cy Young award.Scherzer leads the National League in strikeouts (290) and in batting average against (.188) and is tied for the lead in wins. He’s third in ERA (2.57) behind front-runner Jacob deGrom (1.77) and Aaron Nola (2.45).Article continues below ...In his last five starts Scherzer has struggled a bit — for him — giving up three earned runs four times and six the other as his ERA has climbed from 2.13. Last time out he allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings in a no-decision against the Mets. He struck out 13, moving him closer to becoming the third pitcher in the past 16 seasons to reach 300, joining Chris Sale in 2017 and Clayton Kershaw in 2015.“You’re aware of it, but that’s not why you go out there and pitch,” Scherzer told mlb.com. “You go out there and pitch to win. I wanted to come in today and win a ballgame, and unfortunately, we lost. You’re always thinking about all those things you weren’t able to do to help your team win.”Outfielder Juan Soto has five more games to impress voters for the NL Rookie of the Year award, which appears to be a two-man race with Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna, Jr.Soto leads NL rookies with 66 RBIs and 74 walks and is near the top in batting average, home runs and on-base percentage.Outfielder Bryce Harper achieved a personal milestone in Monday’s 7-3 win when he drove in his 100th run of the season, the first time in his career he’s done so.“For me it’s just going out there and trying to score runs and doing the things I can. If I can get 100 runs, 100 walks and 100 RBIs it’s pretty cool,” said Harper, who has 126 walks and 99 runs scored. “I’ll take that any day of the week.”Harper’s previous high was 99 RBIs in 2015, the year he won the NL Most Valuable Player Award.Since their elimination from post-season contention Saturday Gary Sanchez Jersey , Nationals manager Dave Martinez has continued to use his regulars.“I’d like to win the rest of these games,” he said. “I really would, and I think the players want to do the same.”The Marlins stranded 10 baserunners Monday night, including five in the first two innings against Stephen Strasburg, who left after four innings.“Yeah we had a lot of chances,” manager Don Mattingly said. He threw close to forty (pitches) in the first and (we) had guys out there. Even after they score we still got guys out there, have a chance to get right back in it there and are not able to do anything.”Sandy Alcantara (2-2) gave up six runs on seven hits and five walks in four innings.“When he’s not aggressive that’s what you kind of get,” Mattingly said. “He’s walking all the lefties. He walked six last game all lefties, five today all lefties. Not sure what the issue is but obviously we can work on that.”Brigham (0-3, 5.84) makes his fourth major league start Tuesday and first against the Nationals. Last time out he allowed two runs on three hits with four walks and six strikeouts over five innings of a loss to the Reds.