Finally!

 

The influx of youth has begun for the Cleveland Indians with the word that Jeremy Sowers will start Sunday’s game against the Reds at Jacobs Field.  Hopefully, there are a few more moves to come to replace players not performing up to standards.

 

I know the front office may believe that bringing up some of the youngsters in an admission the Tribe cannot win this season.  I think fans view it differently.  They look at the arrival of Sowers and perhaps soon an Andy Marte to be an upgrade over the horrific production they received out of Jason Johnson and Aaron Boone.  I looked at the games that Johnson started as a loss, and would be very surprised if the Indians won those games.  Any scoreless frame the righty put up was looked at with relief.

 

Fans look at Boone in the same manner.  They look at his lack of power, plate discipline, and poor defense and they think could Marte be any worse?  At least with a Marte, there is the promise of getting better.  Putting Marte in the lineup would create a curiousity with the ticket buyers, not a thought the team is giving up.

 

As for the bullpen, why not try Edward Mujica?  Again, it’s not like he could be appreciably worse than the other guys in the ‘pen.  It looks like they’ve got a keeper in Fausto Carmona, who now is being used as a set up man.  If Fernando Cabrera can get straightened out and learn to throw strikes, that would give the Tribe several power arms in relief.  The veteran haven’t done the job, so let the kids get some experience.

 

It isn’t giving up the season, it’s making an effort to improve some weak spots.  After 69 games, it looks like Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge are finally starting to admit there are things that need to be fixed.

 

KM