The Cleveland Indians made some roster moves this weekend to allow Jeremy Guthrie to start the second game of Saturday’s day/night doubleheader. They designated the beleaguered Guillermo Mota for assignment before Friday’s game and called up infielder Ramon Vazquez because Joe Inglett couldn’t go Friday due to a leg injury. To make room for Guthrie before the night game on Saturday, the Tribe designated Vazquez for assignment. The curious thing was the journeyman’s reaction to the move.
The utility man said he never got a fair shot with the Tribe. He said he refused to go to Buffalo because it was clear he was not in the Indians’ plan for next season. Huh? Actually, Vazquez got a huge benefit of the doubt when Eric Wedge did not want Brandon Phillips coming off the bench as spring training ended. Phillips outperformed the former Red Sox and Padres infielder, but Vazquez made the club anyway. How’s that not getting a fair shot. It appears to me as if it was Phillips that didn’t get an equal chance.
I would say that Vazquez is pretty quick to figure out the Tribe had no plans for him in 2007. What clicked that switch on for him, was it bringing up Joe Inglett? Was it trading for Hector Luna? Was it his batting average hovering around .200 for much of the season? Was it his three error game at SS earlier this season? Guys like Vazquez are as replaceable as a light bulb. A younger guy is always going to get a shot at taking that job on a baseball team.
Down on the farm, Kevin Kouzmanoff went 4 for 4 for the Bison yesterday raising his average at the AAA level to .378. Overall, the third baseman is hitting .388 with 19 HR and 63 RBI in 289 at bats. The Kouz should get a September call up after the Buffalo season ends. He’s had some back problems, so a move to the outfield (LF?) could be forthcoming. Then again, if Andy Marte doesn’t start hitting a little bit, maybe Kouzmanoff stays at 3B.
Despite Guthrie’s control problems on Saturday, here’s hoping he get a few more starts in September. He may have had a case of nervousness in his first big league start, but I think the brass will want to start limiting Jeremy Sowers innings soon, especially since he has shown his effectiveness in a Cleveland uniform. That could open some slots in the rotation for Guthrie. Since the former 1st round draftee is out of options next season, the front office has to find out more about him in the show.
It’s on to the road for the Tribe for the next week and a half, with a chance to play spoiler at Minnesota, and then on to Tampa and Kansas City.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 