CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Six thoughts on the Indians agreeing to one-year deals with Mike Napoli and Rajai Davis, not getting third baseman Todd Frazier from the Reds and keeping the starting rotation intact for 2016.

1. Rotation stays intact: Do the acquisitions of Napoli and Davis - both pending physicals - mean the Indians have decided to keep their starting rotation intact?

It looks like it. This way they will not be forced to trade a starter to improve the position player club unless it's a deal too good to pass up. Napoli can hit in the middle of the lineup and offers a defensive upgrade at first base. Davis gives them a proven big-league center fielder who can handle the position - with help from Abraham Almonte - until Michael Brantley returns from right shoulder surgery in late April or May.

When Brantley gets back, the Indians can reshuffle the outfield depending on who makes it out of spring training and who is waiting at Class AAA Columbus.

2. Why didn't the Tribe get Frazier from the Reds? Initially the Reds wanted starter Danny Salazar or closer Cody Allen. The Tribe said no and negotiations turned to prospects.

Cincinnati never said, "we've got a deal,' but they wanted Bradley Zimmer or Clint Frazier to be in any deal that was made. They also wanted two other players from a group including Bobby Bradley, Justus Sheffield, Mike Clevinger or Juan Hillman. The Indians tried to make it a three-team deal, but couldn't get the right players lined up.

The Reds traded Frazier to the White Sox on Wednesday in a three-team deal with the Dodgers.



3. Who plays first? The Indians were not happy with the play of Carlos Santana at first base in 2015. Manager Terry Francona told reporters in August that if Santana, unhappy about DHing, wanted to play more first base he would have to work harder at the position. Then Chris Johnson, who was taking Santana's time at first, ran afoul of a spider in Minneapolis and had to go on the disabled list with an infected hand.

Napoli was among the top three vote getters at first base for the AL Gold Glove award last season. He made seven errors in 111 games and had three defensive runs saved, according to fangraphs.com

Santana made three errors in 132 games at first, but posted a -4 in defensive runs saved. Santana, depending on how spring training unfolds, could see a lot more time at DH in 2016.

4. Where will Napoli hit? Ideally, the Indians would like to get Santana out of the cleanup spot where they could take better advantage of his ability to draw walks. Napoli, however, does not look like a made-to-order cleanup hitter.

In parts of 10 years in the big leagues, he has the most at-bats in the No.5 spot. This past season, he hit fifth in 57 games, batting .223 with eight homers and 21 RBI. In his career, Napoli has hit .257 (128-for-498) with 23 homers and 80 RBI out of the cleanup spot. This year, however, he spent just 10 games there and hit .156 (5-for-36).

Then again Napoli's two teams in 2015, Boston and Texas, had David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre hitting No.4. They didn't need Napoli there. The Indians do and they can always fall back on Santana or Joey Butler, if he makes the team.

5. Lefties beware: Last season Oakland and Seattle led the AL with 32 losses each against left-handed starters. The Indians, Houston and Texas were just off the pace with 31.

Napoli and Davis should help even the ledger. Napoli hit .278 (42-for-151) with 12 of his 18 homers against lefties last season. Against righties, he hit .191 (49-for-256). In his career, Napoli has a higher batting average against lefties, but has shown much more power against righties.

Davis is .296 (323-for-1,090) lifetime against lefties. In this last three years, he's hit .307 (124-for-404).

6. Pass the physical: Napoli signed a three-year, $36 million free agent contract with Boston after the 2012 season. During his physical, the Red Sox discovered that he was suffering from avascular necrosis of both hips. The Red Sox scrapped the deal and eventually signed Napoli to a one-year, $5 million deal.

The hip condition ended Napoli's career as a catcher, but after helping the Red Sox win the World Series in 2013, they signed him for two years and $32 million. Last season Napoli played first and left field. Those close to him say he's 100 percent.

Napoli's physical with the Indians is Friday in Cleveland.