Cleveland Indians: No room on the final roster for Chris Colabello

Chris Colabello may be a great fit for the Cleveland Indians in any other year, but there just isn’t room for him on the 2017 roster.

The Cleveland Indians have the fun problem of having a surplus of talent in the organization. It is unfortunate for some talented players to miss out on a major league roster spot, but it creates great depth that can be utilized throughout the year.

One of the players who may be affected by this surplus is Chris Colabello. The first baseman has been receiving regular time for the Indians thus far in spring training, but he enters as the clear third man at his position behind both Edwin Encarnacion and Carlos Santana. News did break yesterday that Santana will be the primary first baseman, with Encarnacion as the primary DH, but that won’t change Colabello’s status.

One reason Colabello may be receiving so much playing time is because he is set to leave Goodyear to compete with Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Terry Francona and the front office want to see him as much as possible before he heads out for a week or two, in order to decide what to do with him in 2017.

For now, starting the season in the minor leagues may be the only way he stays in the organization, unless he is let go to pursue a job elsewhere.

There was no problem with bringing him to camp, but it is unlikely there was any expectation he would open the season in Cleveland, barring any injuries. The 33-year-old had a great 2015 season in which he hit .321 for the Toronto Blue Jays in 101 games, but only made it through 10 games last season before being suspended for PED use.

Regardless of how his 2016 season ended, Colabello is a talented player who could play for the Indians if the team didn’t go out and sign Encarnacion. Bringing him in for spring training allows the Indians to ease Santana and Encarnacion into action, while also getting a look at a player who could be brought in if either of the stars go down at any point this season, given Colabello is not on another team.

These type of roster discussions frequently occur in spring training, but the Indians entered 2017 with nearly the entire roster set in stone. The only open spot is for a utility infielder, and Colabello is not that guy.

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