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We are now two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Goodyear for the start of spring training. The offseason is wrapping up, and Tony takes a look into two issues facing the Indians as they prepare to open spring training: what they should do at DH and who should leadoff. He notes how the use of the DH has changed over the last few seasons, and how the Indians may be wise to consider another option at leadoff other than Brantley. Tony also discusses Carlos Santana's value, what spring invites reveal, and much more.

With about three weeks left until spring training one of the more interesting battles to watch will be the backup catcher position. For the last three years that’s a role that has been held by Lou Marson, but after the November trade that brought Yan Gomes into the fold it’s clear that the Indians intend to create competition for the job this spring. Michael Goodman breaks down the pluses and minuses of both after the jump...

It is one of the biggest questions leading into spring training for the Indians: who should lead off? With the departure of Shin-Soo Choo in a trade, the Indians lost their best lead off option, and the IBI's Jeff Ellis breaks down all the schools of thought with regard to what kind of player should hit lead off before finally settling on an obvious solution to this question.

With the Dominican Winter League Championship Series wrapped up, the championship action continues in the championship series of the Puerto Rican and Venezuelan winter leagues. A couple of Indians are still in action and hoping that they can help lead their team to the championship. The IBI's Steve Orbanek touches on those Indians and their performances in this week's edition of the Winter Ball Notebook.

Today the Cleveland Indians announced that they have extended non-roster invitations to Major League spring training camp to first baseman Jesus Aguilar, right-handed pitcher Matt Langwell, right-handed pitcher Preston Guilmet, catcher Roberto Perez, and left-handed pitcher Giovanni Soto.

The IBI's Steve Orbanek returns with this week's edition of Then & Now, which looks at left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes. Barnes made his debut with the Indians last season and left a favorable impression, but what does the future hold? Last season, Barnes was a reliever, but could he possibly again be positioned to be a starter? Steve ponders after the jump.

The Indians turn the corner from Tribe Fest and head through the final three weeks of the offseason with a few questions yet to answer. With a time-share likely at DH with the current roster, can their numbers improve? Are there just too many questions with regards to Ubaldo Jimenez and the starting rotation for the Tribe to succeed? Jim Pete tackles these, as well as Kipnis, Chisenhall and much, much more...

Last week the IBI first mentioned that the Indians have been in talks with free agent slugger Jim Thome, and according to a report today from Jon Heyman of CBS Sports he says the Indians are considering a reunion with Thome and Travis Hafner.

Large crowds descended upon Progressive Field this past week for the inaugural Tribe Fest, and it turned out to be a rousing success. The Indians appear to be getting everything right this offseason with their trades, free agent signings, manager and coach hires, and now a great fan friendly event. What momentum the organization has built going into the 2013 season, and Jake Dungan recaps the event in his debut piece for the IBI.

Welcome to this week's edition of the IBI Power Poll. The Poll will take a look at a relevant topic of the time, an all-time list, or just something that we're talking about here at the IBI home offices. There's nothing like a list to spur a debate, so join us in our lively banter with our weekly polls! Today's poll focuses on the best Indians' third baseman of all time. Join Jim Pete after the jump...to find out the who made the cut...

The Indians continue to shore up their roster with more depth signings, and today they announced that they have officially signed infielder/outfielder Ryan Raburn and outfielder Ben Francisco to minor league contracts with an invite as non-roster payers to Major League spring training.

What a great Indians weekend as the widely popular Tribe Fest was jam packed on Saturday and is expected to have big crowds again today. On the news front, it was a slow week for the Indians other than a few players being named to World Baseball Classic rosters and several arbitration eligible players having their 2013 contracts finalized. Tony discusses the arbitration deals and the WBC, but also touches on how two former Indians heroes might make for good low risk pickups this late in the offseason.

Several sources are reporting that the Indians will sign IF/OF Ryan Raburn to a minor league contract with an invite to join the big league club in spring training. Raburn certainly isn't a big fish, but he's a guy that could provide the Indians with another versatile bat, as he's played nearly every infield and outfield position over the past several seasons. Find out more about Raburn...after the jump...

Today the Indians have avoided arbitration and agreed to one year contracts with Matt Albers, Lou Marson, Justin Masterson, Chris Perez, and Joe Smith, and on Thursday night they agreed to a one year contract with Drew Stubbs. Only infielder Mike Aviles remains unsigned, and since no deal was made before today's 1pm signing deadline, the process gets a little more complex.

The Championship Series matchups have been decided in the DWL and PWL, which means that the winter seasons have come to an end for a number of Indians, including the beloved Jose Ramirez. The IBI's Steve Orbanek touches on Ramirez and his fine winter season as well as many other Indians players still competing in winter ball in his latest edition of the Winter Ball Notebook.

Late Thursday night the Indians and outfielder Drew Stubbs agreed to a $2.825 million contract for the 2013 season, and it includes up to $50,000 in performance performances. Also, a source has told the IBI that the Indians have interest in free agent Jim Thome and that a contract has been offered.