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Predicting Bullpen Roles for the Cleveland Indians in 2015

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Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

2015 Bullpen Roles for the Cleveland Indians

2015 Bullpen Roles for the Cleveland Indians
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

To say that the Cleveland Indians rely on the bullpen is a bit of an understatement. Manager Terry Francona set an American League record for bullpen usage last season. He will likely go in with at least eight in the bullpen with a wealth of left-handed options. The roles are not sorted out, but here is what might shake out.

Zach McAllister - Long Relief

Zach McAllister
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Zach McAllister - Long Relief

Zach McAllister
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

McAllister is out of options and looks to be on the outside of the race for one of the last two spots in the starting rotation. He has had some struggle with his command in spring training, but Francona has all but said he was making the team in some capacity.

C.C. Lee - Middle Relief

Cleveland Indians
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C.C. Lee - Middle Relief

Cleveland Indians
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Lee is an interesting player who is making a case for himself in spring training. He has given up two hits in just five innings. He may get the least amount of work out of the bullpen until he proves himself in 2015, but is versatile enough to handle multiple roles.

Nick Hagadone - Middle Relief/Specialist

New York Yankees v Cleveland Indians
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Nick Hagadone - Middle Relief/Specialist

New York Yankees v Cleveland Indians
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After four separate call-ups, Hagadone spent the last three months of the 2014 season in the big leagues. He only had four walks in his last 19 appearances and both right- and left-handed batters hit below .220 against him. Hagadone is out of options and has the best fastball of the lefties the Indians will keep.

Kyle Crockett - Late Relief/Escape Artist

Kyle Crockett
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Kyle Crockett - Late Relief/Escape Artist

Kyle Crockett
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Crockett is in line for an increased workload this season with how much Francona has used the back half of his bullpen. He has faced mostly left-handed batters, but is expected to see more righties and go more than an inning per appearance this season. Crockett has shown great control and will rely on a fastball and slider.

Marc Rzepczynski - Lefty Specialist

Marc Rzepczynski
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Marc Rzepczynski - Lefty Specialist

Marc Rzepczynski
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Rzepczynski lost 14 pounds over the winter and worked on locating his two-seam fastball against right handers. He was the primary left-on-left reliever in the Indians' bullpen last season using his heavy sinker. He will likely be more than a matchup reliever this season.

Scott Atchison - Late Relief

Scott Atchison Tribe
Ken Blaze - USA TODAY Sports

Scott Atchison - Late Relief

Scott Atchison Tribe
Ken Blaze - USA TODAY Sports

Atchison has only thrown three innings in spring training, giving up five hits. His age will continue to be a concern with his 39th birthday coming next week. Atchison threw 72 innings last year, the biggest workload in his career.

Bryan Shaw - Setup

Bryan Shaw
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Bryan Shaw - Setup

Bryan Shaw
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Shaw had a large workload last year and has had a very rough spring. Back-to-back years of over 75 innings thrown will raise wear-and-tear questions, but Francona plans to use Shaw in the same manner. Shaw recorded 64 strikeouts last year.

Cody Allen - Closer

Cody Allen
Eric P. Mull-USA TODAY Sports

Cody Allen - Closer

Cody Allen
Eric P. Mull-USA TODAY Sports

Cody Allen has not missed a beat in the spring. He has looked ready to resume his closer role after 24 saves last year. Allen recorded a career-high 91 strikeouts last year.

Extra Arms

Anthony Swarzak
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Extra Arms

Anthony Swarzak2
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Swarzak, Austin Adams and Jeff Manship are all a part of the equation this spring. Veterans Scott Downs, Bruce Chen and Shaun Marcum are also trying to make the team and could agree to minor-league deals. Francona has plenty of depth, but the top eight look to be shaking out.

Douglas Smith is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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