Cleveland Indians: 3 players who can start the season at second base

From my perspective, Erik Gonzalez makes the most sense for starting at second base on Opening Day. He will get big league time to audition for other teams. He is a natural shortstop, and Francisco Lindor is not going anywhere, so Gonzalez could be a trade chip later in the summer.

Gonzalez is a plus defender, and though he has not hit yet in the big leagues, he has every incentive to make the most of his experience. The Tribe can send him back down as soon as Kipnis returns, as he only has one option left. He will continue to make an impact in AAA, hopefully continuing to boost his trade value.

Related: Cleveland Indians 2017 top prospects: No. 17, Erik Gonzalez

If Gonzalez could hit .240 and play plus second base defense, he could be auditioning for an everyday job somewhere else. This makes the most sense for the Indians, too, as he has the lowest “impact” on the roster. Starting Gonzalez at second does not harm the growth of Ramirez at third, does not impact Urshela, and keeps Martinez in his utility role.

Gonzalez has been up a few times, and he has not made the most of his time, so this is his last chance to impress. If Gonzalez does really well, the Indians have a trade chip. If he does poorly, he goes back down to AAA for the last time. This is a win-win for both Gonzalez and the Indians.