The Indians looked at some free agent 2B lately but they signed with other teams basically handing the starting job in 2010 to 24-year old lefty swinging Luis Valbuena. Valbuena played in 103 games for the Indians last season and he was 92 for 368 (.250 avg, .714 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 10 homers, 31 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Valbuena never really showed much power in the minors in his career so I wonder if he’s capable of cracking 15 homers in 2010 or not. But he should hit enough to carry his weight in 2010. He made 6 errors in 77 games at 2B for the Indians last season but he showed outstanding range. Look for him to win the starting job in 2010 for the Indians at 2B.

The Indians signed 39-year old righty swinging veteran 2B Mark Grudzielanek to a minor league deal. He played in 11 games in Rookie + AA-ball last season and he was 11 for 39 (.282 avg, .657 OPS) with 7 runs scored and 1 RBI. Grudzielanek made 2 errors in only 8 games in the minors last season and that is why the Twins released him instead of calling him up to the show. He last played in the majors in 2008 with the Royals. He played in 86 games in 2008 for the Royals and he was 99 for 331 (.299 avg, .743 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 3 homers, 24 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Grudzielanek could work his way into a platoon with Valbuena if he has a good spring.

29-year old switch-hitting Luis Rodriguez played in 93 games for the Padres last season and he was 42 for 208 (.202 avg, .579 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 2 homers and 16 RBIs. Rodriguez will battle Grudzielanek for a spot on the Indians’ bench in 2010 and he might have an edge because he can also play SS and 3B. Rodriguez made 3 errors in 30 games at 2B for the Padres last season while showing average range.

27-year old righty swinging Brian Bixler will also try to win a spot on the Indians’ bench. He played in 5 games for the Pirates at 2B last season while making 1 error and showing average range. He is a natural shortstop but he’s not much of a hitter.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2010: C-