What if Matt LaPorta plays his way into the Cleveland lineup?
LaPorta was the main piece for the Cleveland Indians in the CC Sabathia trade, and at 24, is on the verge of breaking into the majors. The young right-handed hitter showed above-average power (22 homers in 362 at-bats) and patience (49 walks) in Class AA last year. Those are skill areas where the right-handers blocking him (Ryan Garko and Ben Francisco) were merely average in 2008. If LaPorta hits the ball well this spring he could get a quick call-up and a shot at near full-time at-bats. And if the opportunity arises early enough in the season, he could make a run at 25-plus home runs and maybe even the AL rookie of the year award. Could Willy Taveras really steal 100 bases? Earlier this spring, the new Cincinnati Reds outfielder and leadoff hitter said he could post 100 steals, one year after netting a career-high 68 in 479 at-bats. Taveras acknowledges it would require a higher on-base percentage (.308 last year) and more playing time. But would that be enough to get the job done? A
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