Broussard battles for first base job again

He's been inconsistent each of the last three years, but still emerged the starter.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- It's a sure sign of spring in Central Florida: Ben Broussard trying to hold his job as the Cleveland Indians' first baseman.
Broussard emerged as the starter the last three years. Yet his regular season production each year has been so inconsistent that general manager Mark Shapiro keeps bringing in others to challenge for the job.
"It's something I've dealt with," Broussard said Wednesday. "My whole career here, I've never really played every day."
Shapiro said that's because Broussard hasn't produced on an even keel.
"Ben is at a crucial juncture in his career," Shapiro said. "There's a lot at stake for him and for us. There have been times when he has been a run-producing corner bat and yet he has had prolonged slumps that kind of offset that production.
Making more money now
"This year, he's making a lot more money and he's going to have to produce. The bottom line is he is capable."
Although the Indians avoided arbitration by signing Broussard to a one-year, $2.48 million contract -- up dramatically from the $365,000 he made in 2005 -- Shapiro also added free agent Eduardo Perez to give manager Eric Wedge a veteran to platoon at the position.
Broussard hit only .225 with 11 of his 68 RBIs against lefties in 2005. His batting average slipped 20 points to .255 and he had 14 fewer RBIs (68) in 48 more at-bats than 2004.
Perez hit .259 with 10 of his 11 homers against left-handers.
May curtail music career
Broussard said he may curtail his fledgling music career to refocus on his game. The 29-year-old released an album and played in a couple post-game concerts in the Cleveland area last summer.
"I've played guitar music since I was a kid," he said. "I don't know if my mediocre season was caused by my involvement with music -- but it probably didn't help."
Broussard is concerned about being perceived as not being committed to baseball.
"I don't want that," he said. "I want the Indians to know that I'm consumed with baseball."
Hitting coach Derek Shelton said Broussard has worked hard this spring. They are analyzing video of Broussard's best stretch in the big leagues, when the left-handed hitter batted .300 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs over the final half of 2004.
"We're looking for consistency," Shelton said. "Benny is still a work in progress, but he's a willing worker.
"What we want to see is a better approach, a better game plan of attack from him. Sometimes it is there, other times it seems to break down."
Battled through slumps
Broussard, who is hitting .167 with one RBI this spring, points out that he has repeatedly won the starting job in spring training and battled through slumps.
"The first year, it was Pronk [Travis Hafner], then Lou Merloni and Jose Hernandez," he said, listing previous challengers for his job. "Now, it is Eduardo. It's never been the case of hearing, 'It's your job, just go out and play.'
"I guess it is up to me to show them I can have three really good months instead of one good, one bad and one good."