Michaels Wins Full-Time Gig

Expect OF Jason Michaels, whom the Cleveland Indians just acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for reliever Arthur Rhodes, to see a significant increase in ABs but a decline in his production percentages as the Tribe utilizes him as its new full-time left fielder in '06. Though Michaels, 29, who bats right, owned a .300 BA and .400 OBP as a part-timer for the Phillies over the past three years, he accomplished those percentages primarily facing lefty pitchers. Thus those numbers will be difficult to match when he faces more righties batting every day in the No. 2 hole for Cleveland. The Indians' left-batting Todd Hollandsworth, 32, a former rookie of the year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been held back by chronic injuries throughout his career, so the Tribe will hold Hollandsworth in reserve, strictly as No. 4 outfielder, and not platoon him with Michaels.