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The Rule 5 Draft commences a week from today out in Nashville, Tennessee. What kind of players are typically drafted and what levels do they come from? What positions are the primary focus of the draft, and what positions rarely get selected? The IPI's Jeff Ellis chimes in with his yearly Rule 5 Draft review where he analyzes all that and more.

With Jim Pete getting a well-deserved break, the IPI's Steve Orbanek mans the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario this week. The hiring of Terry Francona seemed to signal a new approach for the Indians, but so far, the team has been relatively quiet this offseason. And as the Indians remain quiet, the team's competitors in the AL Central have set out to improve their clubs. Is this so-called new approach all it's cracked up to be? Steve ponders after the jump.

The Cleveland Indians today announced that they designated left-handed reliever Rafael Perez for assignment. Health issues and his contract status were the primary reason behind the decision.

On Monday the Cleveland Indians announced that they signed free agent infielder/outfielder Nate Spears to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to 2013 Major League spring training camp. They also outrighted right-handed pitcher Fabio Martinez to the minors.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, he says the Indians have been checking in on several free agents, and one of those is free agent outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher. He is a switch-hitter and his versatility to play either first base or a corner outfield position would fill a need at either position.

Tony is taking a much needed break for the Thanksgiving holidays, but the always dependable Indians Prospect Insider Express rolls on, with Jim Pete taking over Tribe Happenings this weekend. While the Indians have been quiet since acquiring Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes, the Indians' 2013 season rests in the balance of their success and failures over the next month. The path certainly won't be easy, as Jim Pete weaves his way through the pratfalls of the hot stove league...

While the AFL may have closed its doors last week, a number of winter leagues remain in action, which means that a handful of Indians players are still in action. Jesus Aguilar made his return to the Venezuelan Winter League this past week plus left-handed pitcher Nick Hagadone pitched in a game for the first time since breaking his wrist during the 2012 season. The IPI's Steve Orbanek recaps the performances of Aguilar, Hagadone as well as others in this week's Winter Ball Notebook.

The holidays are officially upon us, and you know what? There's plenty to be thankful for here in Cleveland with regards to the Cleveland Indians. No, this team will never be compared to the 1927 Yankees, or even the 2007 Cleveland Indians, but there's plenty of upside on a team that lost...a lot. Happy Thanksgiving everybody...

Yesterday the Indians added Tim Fedroff, T.J. House, Trey Haley and Chen-Chang Lee to the 40-man roster and designated Matt LaPorta, Brent Lillibridge, and Fabio Martinez for assignment. Tony provides lots of insight and info with regard to the decisions and what roles the new roster additions may fill going forward, discusses the future of LaPorta and others, and takes a quick peak into any potential Rule 5 losses.

The Cleveland Indians today announced that they have purchased the contracts of outfielder Tim Fedroff, right-handed reliever Chen-Chang Lee, right-handed pitcher Trey Haley, and left-handed pitcher T.J. House and added them to the 40-man roster. To make room they removed Matt LaPorta, Brent Lillibridge, and Fabio Martinez from the roster.

Jesus Aguilar just completed his fifth season as a member of one of the Cleveland Indians affiliates. The powerful first baseman remains one of the most popular prospects in the Tribe's system, but it's still no foregone conclusion that he will one day be a member of the Indians Major League roster. The IPI's Steve Orbanek looks back at the hulking slugger's career in this week's edition of Then & Now.

The Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Matt Carson and Cedric Hunter to minor league contracts with non-roster invitations to 2013 Major League spring training camp.

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks have both shown interest in Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. He also lists the Indians as a strong suitor for Kevin Youkilis (no surprise).

The Indians are expected to be very busy this offseason working the phones on both the free agent and trade front as they look to improve upon what was a very disappointing 2012 campaign and put together a team that can win in 2013. Free agency will never be an area the Indians are strong players in, but this offseason there are a few interesting players that are available that are sure to garner the Indians' interest. Tony talks about all of them and more in his Sunday morning staple here at the IPI.

The Scottsdale Scorpions ended their AFL season Thursday, which means a number of Indians players have completed their tour of winter ball duty. In this week's Winter Ball Notebook, the IPI's Steve Orbanek looks back at some of the top performers from the Scottsdale squad, including Alex Monsalve and Tyler Holt, while also touching on some of the other Indians playing in other various winter leagues.

Cord Phelps ended the 2012 season as a member of the Cleveland Indians roster. While he played well down the stretch, there are no guarantees that he'll be a member of the team come April. It's been an up-and-down road for Phelps and his baseball career as he's dominated the minors but struggled in the Majors. The IPI's Steve Orbanek takes a look back at his path in this week's edition of Then & Now.