Terry Francona, seen in this October 2018 photo, said Danny Salazar will not likely be ready to break camp with the Indians at the end of spring training. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Here's what we learned from Terry Francona on Thursday

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nothing ruins an otherwise pleasant round of golf like answering endless questions about roster turnover and trade speculation, but if you're Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona, it comes with the territory.

Francona, on a conference call Thursday previewing the Jan. 16 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions pro-am event in Orlando, answered a few questions from reporters about his golf game, the Indians' offseason moves, some Hall of Fame candidates and the upcoming MLB season.

He revealed that right-hander Danny Salazar will not be ready to break camp with the Indians at the end of spring training, and also maintained that he is not distracted by all of the offseason trade talk surrounding the Tribe.

Francona is returning to the tournament, which brings together LPGA tour winners from the past two years as well as celebrities from a variety of sports. He was joined by MLB hall of famer John Smoltz, a scratch golfer who has participated in senior tour events, and LPGA standout Marina Alex on the call.

Francona said participating in the charity event is special.

"Unlike John, I'm probably coming more for personality than for scoring, and I know that going in," Francona joked. "It's a wonderful event. They raise so much money for south Florida charities."

Below are a few more things we learned from Francona during the interview.

Don't Edit

On comparing the pressures of baseball to professional golf

Francona said if you think it takes courage to play baseball in the majors, it takes "a ton of courage" to get on a golf course with the pros.

"We might play in front of 35-40,000 people every night and never blink an eye," Francona said. "But you get over on the golf course and there might be 200 people standing there and you can barely get the club back. It's a whole different world for a guy like me."

Francona deferred to Smoltz, who qualified for last year's U.S. Senior Open, and has stated he wants to play on the senior tour.

"I'm used to playing with my buddies," Francona laughed. "When you get about a foot and a half or two feet you pick it up. Now all of a sudden, you've got to finish your shot. It's a whole different game. And it's hard."

Don't Edit

Terry Francona looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Don't Edit

On getting excited for spring training

Francona described the tight window for appearances and events between New Year's and the start of spring training. He said he is looking forward to getting back together with players at Tribe Fest on Jan. 12, and then back to Florida for the Diamond Resorts tournament.

"Then, shoot, it's another 10 days and we're out in Goodyear," Francona said. "It's the most exciting time of the year, other than if you're in the playoffs. Spring training is the greatest time of the year."

Don't Edit

The Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians stand for the National Anthem before a spring game at Goodyear Ballpark. (Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

On the rehab and recovery efforts of Nick Goody and Danny Salazar

Francona said Goody is doing well in his recovery from an elbow injury that cost him most of 2018.

"He'll be on target to be with everybody else (in spring training)," Francona said.

Salazar is another story.

"Danny's not going to be on pace where ... we know when he comes to spring training, he's not going to be competing to make our club," Francona said.

Salazar, who had season-ending shoulder surgery in early July, signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract last month.

"He's going to still be in that rehab mode," Francona said. "Then we'll see as he gets going. We've seen guys come quick. But everybody's on their own program. To force it with somebody doesn't make a lot of sense."

Don't Edit

Danny Salazar pitches against the Chicago White Sox in July 2017. (Jon Durr/Getty Images)

Don't Edit

On offseason distractions and trade talk

Despite the number of free agent departures and trades the Indians have already experienced, Francona maintained all the talk and conjecture about Cleveland's roster has not been a distraction, while admitting that there are still some spots left to fill.

"I don't think you can get distracted by every bit of talk you hear," Francona said. "There's so much interest now on what could happen that if you start to think about everything somebody wrote, you'd go crazy."

Francona noted the trades of Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso, but did not mention the trade of Yan Gomes. He sounded excited about the addition of Jake Bauers and the return of Carlos Santana and said the club is not done adding players.

"We've got some work to do before spring training," he said. "The guys (Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff) are busy and I'm pretty certain we're going to break camp with 25 guys. We do it every year and we'll figure out a way to do it again this year. And we'll feel good about ourselves."

Don't Edit

Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso are gone from the Indians' offense in 2019. (David Maxwell/Getty Images)

Don't Edit

On the Tribe's approach against the AL Central in 2019

Francona brushed aside a question about whether the Indians are confident because of a perceived lack of competition in the AL Central.

"If you spent one minute in any athlete's shoes, you never feel like that," Francona said. "You show up every day and try to be the best you can be and then you show up the next day and try to be better."

Francona said that mentality is what has brought the Indians three consecutive division titles.

"You start looking at it differently, you won't be in this game very long," Francona said. "And that's not what any of us want."

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Francona congratulates Corey Kluber as players walk off the field during last season's clinching of the AL Central. (David Maxwell/Getty Images)

Don't Edit

On Roger Clemens as a Hall of Fame candidate

With Hall of Fame voting close to being announced, Francona was asked about Roger Clemens as a candidate for election.

"He was an elite competitor," Francona said. "I faced him as a hitter, I faced him as a manager -- that's how long he played -- when he was on the mound, he was as ferocious a competitor as you would ever find."

Francona said the field of candidates is as deep as it's ever been.

"There are so many guys that are deserving this year, January 22 could be a really fun day," he said.

Francona said one of the things that makes baseball unique is the Hall of Fame talk and the amount of debate it spurs.

"You can go back in time and try to compare guys and it's just really fun," he said. "There are a lot of guys this year who are going to be in that conversation, and Roger is certainly one of them."

Don't Edit

Roger Clemens stands on the sideline of a Texas-Oklahoma game. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)