Cleveland Indians: 3 Spring Training Invitees And Their Chances of Making the Team

Wily Mo Pena’s chances of making this Indians squad are slim at best. After signing Edwin Encarnacion, there isn’t much room for another power bat, especially one who hasn’t played in the MLB since 2011.

But Pena will be at spring training, and perhaps he can earn himself a minor league job or even a job on another team.

The signing of Pena seems to be a minor favor to Encarnacion, who is friends with the player who hit some absolute monster home runs a decade ago.

Now, as Indians fans know after last season, it is unfair to count out any player. Baseball is a wonderful sport where natural ability can sometimes overcome one’s reputation, meaning Pena could return to his old ways.

But the fact no MLB team has given him a roster spot since 2011 does not bode well for his chances of making this Indians team. Unlike in past years, 2017 is not a year for projects.

Next: 5 Reasons Indians Will Win World Series

The good news for Pena is that his time in Arizona can help him launch an MLB comeback after playing in Japan for four years. He is 35 years old, but if he can prove he is still a capable MLB hitter, he can serve as a veteran leader on a team. That team just won’t be the Indians.