Final Spring Stats

Numbers don't begin to tell the complete story when it comes to spring training. Jason Dubois' numbers swamped those put up by Todd Hollandsworth -- yet the veteran is with the Indians in Chicago while the younger outfielder is in Buffalo's spring training camp in Florida.

Fantasy leaguers who know only numbers and not the real game of baseball will point to Dubois' large margin of superiority in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage and incorrectly reason that manager Eric Wedge made the wrong choice in keeping Hollandsworth.

Numbers, however, don't tell what a player is truly like. Only being around the game for years will give you that vital information.

It is Wedge's opinion, one that gets very little argument from anyone in the game, that Hollandsworth's experience makes him a much better choice as a fourth outfielder who won't play much.

Dubois is a big swinger and needs to play on a regular basis to remain sharp. His game is not conducive to sitting on the bench for perhaps a week before being called upon to pinch-hit in a key role. Hollandsworth has handled that situation in the past, so Wedge naturally feels more comfortable with the veteran in that situation.

Hollandsworth also bats left-handed, which gives Wedge a possible platoon option for left-fielder Jason Michaels or right-fielder Casey Blake against a tough lefty pitcher.

All of these reasons also went into the Indians retaining Ramon Vazquez as their utility infielder instead of Brandon Phillips. Vazquez, a left-handed bat and former starter in San Diego, has grown accustomed to being a spare part over the years and is a better "fit" for a contending team.

The comfort zone also helped Danny Graves in his battle to win the final spot in the bullpen. Even though he doesn't throw as hard as when he was a closer in Cincinnati, Graves has been in the pressure cooker for years and brings a certain savvy to the staff.

That isn't to say that some of the younger players sent back to Buffalo will not make an impact with the Indians this season. But for now, Wedge has chosen the safer, proven route -- which is the prudent choice for a team that has aspirations of winning the AL Central.
Here's a look at the final spring stats put up by key players for the Indians in exhibition play: