LaPorta tabbed for Triple-A?: MLB.com reports that Indians general manager Chris Antonetti wants 1B Matt LaPorta to play every day, even though the team has recently acquired 1Bs Casey Kotchman and Russ Canzler. With Kotchman considered as the frontrunner to be the Indians' starting first baseman, that means that LaPorta will likely start the season at Triple-A Columbus rather than fill a part-time role in Cleveland. (Updated 02/03/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
LaPorta has not shown the same contact and power skills in three seasons with Cleveland that he displayed in the minors, and at age 27, time may be running out. However, the Indians do not just want to resign LaPorta to a reserve role, so there may still be hope that he can develop into a full-time major leaguer. The odds look slim for that to happen in 2012, though, so he can be passed over in most leagues on draft day. (Updated 02/03/2012).
01/25/2012 10:27 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Cleveland Indians
The Indians were a huge surprise a year ago, remaining in contention in the AL Central until September. What can they offer Fantasy owners in 2012? Our Scott White takes a close look.
Remember when the Indians traded longtime ace CC Sabathia to the Brewers in the summer of 2008? Well, Matt LaPorta was the main player they got in return. Safe to say that one hasn't worked out so well. LaPorta has gotten every opportunity to break through as the middle-of-the-order slugger he was projected to be when the Brewers took him seventh overall in the 2007 draft, spending the last two seasons as the Indians' primary first baseman, and at best, he has performed like a poor man's Garrett Jones. The Indians have apparently grown tired of waiting for LaPorta to develop, as they signed Casey Kotchman this offseason, and the former Ray is now the favorite to be the everyday starter at first base. Because he's just entering his prime, LaPorta could still flip the switch one day and break through as a Fantasy mainstay. Because he has yet to show even an inkling of that ability, though, LaPorta will likely go undrafted in all but the deepest of leagues. (Updated 2/9/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
