The Indians must figure out what they are going to do with infielders Josh Barfield and Andy Marte. Barfield was a huge disappointment for the Indians last season as he was acquired in a trade with the San Diego Padres last off season with the idea of him being the starting 2B. But he lost the starting job to Asdrubal Cabrera during the season because of his poor play. Barfield played in 130 games last season for the Indians and he was 102 for 420 (.243 avg, .594 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 3 homers, 50 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. The fact that the Indians traded for Jamey Carroll to back up Cabrera proves that the Indians don’t have much faith in the 25-year old Barfield. The Indians will likely start Barfield in AAA ball unless they can trade him as he is in the organization’s dog house.

Andy Marte was one of the most highly ranked prospects in all of baseball when the Indians got him from the Red Sox in the Coco Crisp trade. But, things haven’t turned out too well for Marte in Cleveland as he was given the starting third base job at the start of last season but he quickly lost it to Casey Blake. Marte played in 24 games for the Indians last season and he was 11 for 57 (.193 avg, .549 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 homer and 8 RBIs. Marte has now played in 94 games in his major league career and he is 56 for 278 (.201 avg, .619 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 6 homers and 35 RBIs. It’s do or die time for Marte in the Indians organization as he is out of minor league options. That means the Indians will have to keep him on the roster this season or they will have to either trade him or release him.

Trot Nixon had an awful first have of the season for the Indians but he has turned it around a little bit in the second half of the season.  In 22 games since the All-Star Break, Nixon is 21 for 63 (.333 avg, .797 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 5 RBIs.  Nixon is still losing time to Franklin Gutierrez in right field because his power seems to be gone.  Nixon has now played in 91 games this season and he is 75 for 290 (.259 avg, .695 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 3 homers and 31 RBIs.

Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Peralta, Casey Blake and Travis Hafner are all smashing the longball this season with regularity.  Martinez has been awesome this season as he is hitting .324 with 44 runs scored, 16 homers and 68 RBIs in the first half of the season and that’s why he’s an All-Star once again this season.  Sizemore is having a great season too as he makes the whole Indians offense go.  He’s hittting .280 this season with 73 runs scored, 15 homers, 46 RBIs and 24 stolen bases so far this season!  Peralta had a down year in 2006 but he has rebounded in a big way with the bat in 2007 so far.  He’s hitting .277 with 51 runs scored, 14 homers and 50 RBIs and the Indians need him to keep up that pace in the 2nd half.  Casey Blake has moved all over the field having played RF, 1B and 3B this season but it hasn’t effected his hitting as his batting average is .276 and he has scored 55 runs, whacked 14 homers and driven in 48 runs this season.  Travis Hafner hasn’t been his usual self and that could be because he’s in a contract year but he still has hit .262 with 49 runs scored, 14 homers and 57 RBIs this season.  Look for Hafner to have a huge second half.

Victor Martinez is swinging a big bat this season for the Indians.  He has played in 76 games and he is 97 for 298 (.326 avg, .937 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 15 homers and 66 RBIs.  The Indians have been playing Martinez a lot at first base to keep his bat in the lineup almost every day.  Plus, it doesn’t hurt when his backup at catcher, Kelly Shoppach, is such a good all-around baseball player.

Josh Barfield has been swinging a hot bat lately.  In his last 7 games, Barfield is 10 for 26 (.385 avg, .855 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs.  Barfield’s season average has risen to .253 and his OPS to .632.  Look for Barfield’s numbers to continue to improve as he’s too good of a hitter to keep hitting around .250.