Francona told reporters in a Wednesday teleconference prior to the Indians' last exhibition with the Pittsburgh Pirates who would be making the team - and who would not.
"I think we went into it knowing it was going to be difficult - and at some point, almost unfair to get a real good read on guys," said Tito, "But we did the best we could.
"We may not always be right, we understand that, but we will be honest and unconscientious."
Along with Jordan Luplow, Oscar Mercado, Tyler Naquin, and Franmil Reyes, the Indians have seven outfielders to work with this season.
"We could have carried another outfielder, but that would've given us four extra outfielders...not sure what you do with four extra outfielders," Francona added.
Indeed, the Indians could have added another outfielder under the league rule of 30 players being allowed for the start of the season, though rosters will be shrunk to 26 players after the first month.
As for the Opening Day cuts, outfielder Jake Bauers - who batted .226 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs in 117 games with the Tribe last season - was told he would not be with the team this Friday.
The same was told to pitchers James Hoyt (1-1 record in 2019) and Hunter Wood (45.1 IP between Tampa Bay and Cleveland in '19).
To resume the outfielder talk, Francona was asked today about the status of Tyler Naquin after the latter took a foul ball to the foot in Monday's game and was scratched for Tuesday practice.
Francona told Naquin to "stay home" for Wednesday's road game, but said "he's fine" in referring to the fifth-year outfielder, who is coming back from an ACL tear suffered last August.
As for tonight, right-hander Aaron Civale takes the starter's hill at PNC Park, with Francona saying his pitcher is planned to go six innings for Cleveland.