Cleveland Indians: What if Yandy Diaz plays too well to sit?

The Cleveland Indians are about to have a really nice problem on their hands. They will have to choose who plays where because they have so many weapons.

We are one full week into the baseball season, and Yandy Diaz is still the starting third baseman for the Cleveland Indians. Jason Kipnis has started rehab, and it looks like he will coming back before too long.

Diaz has not yet made the case that he could stay in the bigs. He has posted a .217 batting average in the first six games. He has struck out five times already compared to one walk. Terry Francona cited Diaz’s plate discipline as part of the reason that he was so excited to bring him up.

He has hit one double and four singles. He has not yet proven that he belongs. But, what if it becomes clear that he does?

Could Ramirez go back to the outfield?

Carlos Santana started in right field for the entire Arizona Diamondbacks three-game series. His bat is apparently too useful to sit for even one game. What does this mean for Jose Ramirez you might ask?

Francona has shown already this season that he is valuing bats over defense. Ramirez is a bat that will stay in the lineup. While he’s only batting .182 so far, he has hit a home run, and he has only struck out twice. If Diaz steps it up, Ramirez could be positionless.

That means that he could return to the outfield, where he played 48 games in 2016 with only one error and rated as an average defender. Even though he played in left field, it would be easy for him, a true utility player, to move to right.

Could Diaz go back to the outfield?

If Diaz proves that he is the answer on offense, what about his defense? He has not made an error yet at third, but he also has not shown that he will be a stellar third baseman. He has been an outfielder in the minors, and he plays the position well. Even though the Indians have a plethora of outfielders, no one has really stepped up and taken hold of a position outside of Michael Brantley.

Center field and right field are wide open for competition. Could Diaz move back to the outfield, presumably right or center field, if he starts hitting? Ramirez could go back to third, while Kipnis settles back in at second, and Diaz heads to the outfield. But, who gets left out?

Which outfielder gets left out?

Lonnie Chisenhall has not even played a game in 2017, and we are already talking about replacing him in the outfield. Chisenhall is a good right fielder, and he was a key part in the bottom of the order last year. If Chisenhall returns to form, who else could be left out?

Center field is probably more open than right field. Tyler Naquin is not a star. Austin Jackson is making a nice comeback, but he barely made the 25-man roster on  Opening Day, and he is getting older. Abraham Almonte has played well, but he seems to thrive more in a utility/backup role than as a starter. Brandon Guyer is not a starter, and he does not need to be. He does what he does well. So, who gets left out?

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My guess is that one of Almonte/Naquin/Jackson gets moved down to the minors when Chisenhall returns. After that, a second one of them could get sent down or released when Kipnis returns.

The Tribe has so many people who can play outfield and infield, it does not make sense to keep a pure outfielder in the lineup if he does not contribute outside of barely plus-defense and minimal offensive impact.

If Santana sees more time in right field, Guyer and Brantley remain steady, and with one of Ramirez or Diaz getting time in the outfield, a few people are going to get left out.

What about first base?

The last option is that Diaz can play first. Edwin Encarnacion is not a great defender, and the Tribe signed him primarily to DH. Santana has improved his defense at first, but he has also shown that he can play the outfield.

Diaz could slide over to first base and play a few games over there to see if he sticks. The nice thing about the Cleveland Indians current lineup and roster is that it is about as flexible as any I have ever seen.

Next: Indians vs. Diamondbacks: 3 takeaways

With so many guys being able to play so many positions, the Indians have the luxury of deciding whether Yandy, a top prospect, moves around or gets sent down.