The expected happened March 12.

The Indians started trimming their roster and reassigned prospects Francisco Lindor and Tyler Naquin to minor-league camp. Some might say the Indians cut the duo. In this case, cut is the wrong term.

Neither Lindor nor Naquin were competing for a major-league job. They arrived to Arizona early to receive extra work, mingle with veterans, participate in games against established players and interact with Manager Terry Francona and his staff.

Both players posted respectable numbers. Lindor appeared in eight games and hit .267 in 15 at-bats. Naquin appeared in 13 games and hit .231 in 13 at-bats.

Lindor and Naquin will now rejoin their peers and position themselves for 2014. Triple-A Columbus is a possible starting point, although both players have limited Double-A experience.  Lindor, 20, appeared in 21 games at Akron, three more than Naquin, in 2013.

Will both, one or neither prospect begin the season in Columbus? Consider this the biggest question in minor-league camp.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

The unveiling of baseball's most respected prospect list has become a prime-time television event.

Seriously.

Baseball America unveiled its Top 100 prospects on MLB Network on Wednesday night. Three players in the Indians' farm system were mentioned during the broadcast.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor, who played for the Lake County Captains in 2012, leads the Indians' trio at No. 13. Lindor's high ranking is no surprise. He plays a premium position, receives high praise from everybody associated with the sport and doesn't turn 21 until November. Lindor was ranked 28th on last year's Baseball America list. A strong performance at Double-A Akron, his likely 2014 starting destination, could propel Lindor into the top 10 of every credible 2015 prospect list -- assuming he doesn't reach Cleveland this season.

Outfielder Clint Frazier, the Indians' 2013 first-round draft pick who will likely begin this season with the Captains, is 48th on the list. Baseball America named Frazier the top prospect in the rookie Arizona League after Frazier cracked five homers in 44 games last season. Frazier turns 20 in September.

Pitcher Trevor Bauer is 82nd on the list despite a rough 2013. The 23-year-old Bauer was ranked 14th on last year's list following an offseason trade from the Diamondbacks to the Indians. Bauer is competing to become the Indians' No. 5 starter this spring.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Ubaldo Jimenez is officially a key part of the Orioles' pitching staff.

Could a key part of the 2014 or 2015 Lake County Captains emerge because of Jimenez's decision to sign with the Orioles?

The Indians are receiving a compensatory draft pick for losing Jimenez, because they made him a one-year qualifying offer of $14.1 million. The figure isn't some random number General Manger Chris Antonetti concocted. The figure is the average salary of baseball's 125 highest-paid players. A qualifying offer must fall into this category to be tied to a compensation pick. 

As of now, the Indians will receive the 30th overall pick in this year's draft for losing Jimenez. The draft position could change depending on whether free agents Kendrys Morales, Nelson Cruz and Ervin Santana land with other teams.

This marks the second year of the current compensation system. Six teams received high compensation picks for losing free agents last year. Those picks fell into the 28th to 33rd overall slots. Three college and three high school players were selected with the picks.

Outfielder Aaron Judge (Yankees) and pitcher Ryne Stanek (Rays), who played at Fresno State and Arkansas, respectively,  didn't sign in time to play last season. They are candidates to begin their professional careers with full-season teams this season.

Pitcher Jason Hursh, the 33rd overall selection from Oklahoma State, played for Rome of the South Atlantic League last season. He quickly adapted to full-season baseball, going 1-1 with a .67 ERA in 27 innings. Hursh, coincidentally, was the player the Braves selected with the compensation pick they received for losing Michael Bourn to the Indians. The Braves made Bourn a qualifying offer, but the Indians didn't surrender a draft pick for signing him because top-10 picks are protected. The Indians selected high school outfielder Clint Frazier fifth overall in 2013. Frazier will likely begin this season with the Captains.

Draft picks often bring delayed gratification to minor-league affiliates. If the Indians select a high school player with their compensation pick, it's possible he joins the Captains in 2015 following a summer of seasoning in the rookie Arizona League.

The Captains are sitting in a desirable spot. The Indians own four picks in the first two rounds of this year's draft. They also own a competitive-balance pick, which currently rests at 37th overall.  Higher picks likely means more talent will be landing at Classic Park in 2014 and 2015 than in previous seasons.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

The "Captain" is retiring, which will leave a big void at one of baseball's glamor positions.

New York Yankees star Derek Jeter announced Wednesday his career will end following the 2014 season. For those wondering, the Yankees visit Progressive Field from July 7-10. Mariano Rivera received a gold "Enter Sandman" record when he visited Cleveland as a professional athlete for the final time. Possible Cleveland-style parting gifts for Jeter include a Lake Erie vessel, key to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and chance to interview for the Browns' head coaching job next January.

Jeter is the biggest winner from an exciting era of shortstops featuring offensive pop. Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra and Miguel Tejada also played a part in changing perceptions of the position. 

With Jeter in the extra innings of his career, questions about the future of the position are surfacing. Name an elite shortstop? It's not an easy task.

Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki, Washington's Ian Desmond, Texas' Elvis Andrus and Toronto's Jose Reyes are among the game's best shortstops. No member of the quartet has a direct limo ride to Cooperstown. Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins and the Los Angeles Dodgers' Hanley Ramirez are capable of having big seasons.

One of top prospects at the position plays in the Indians' farm system: 20-year-old Francisco Lindor. Lindor will likely be playing at Double-A Akron or Triple-A Columbus when the Yankees visit Progressive Field, although a torrid start could put pressure on the Indians to promote Lindor to Cleveland by mid-summer.

Here's some developmental advice for the Indians: send Lindor to Cleveland for one of the games against the Yankees. Let him hang around the batting cages and observe Jeter's routine. Introduce Lindor to Jeter. Make sure Lindor attentively watches the game.

The debate regarding Jeter's place in the all-time shortstop hierarchy will extend past season. There's no debate that Jeter is one of the few shortstops in today's game worth emulating. Lindor can benefit from spending a night around him.  

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldy