I don’t have anything against Casey Blake. He’s a solid major league player. He persevered in the minors for a long time before finally getting a chance with the Indians, and he took advantage of that opportunity. However, he’s not one of the "core players" for the Tribe in 2007. The problem is that Eric Wedge keeps treating him like he is.
I understand that managers have favorites, and Blake is that for Wedge. But, this season has turned into finding out who can help this team next season, and I was dismayed on Saturday night to see the veteran in RF instead of Shin-Soo Choo with the Rangers starting a young right hander in Volquez. I was further irritated when Blake dropped a fly ball down the right field line in the 2nd inning, a ball Choo with his speed would have easily handled. Blake has done a solid job in RF, but the Tribe’s outfield defense is better with Choo in right and Blake in LF.
Choo has hammered right handed pitching since being traded to the Indians, and he should have been in there. If Wedge wants to give Casey Blake playing time, he should do it at the expense of Jason Michaels, not Choo. Blake could still have a role with this team next season as a guy who can fill in at 1B, 3B, LF, and RF. He could get 300 at bats doing this and he would still be a productive player for the Indians. But I worry that if he still is here, he will get 500 at bats and cut into the time of younger and possibly more productive players. Blake is a good fall back guy if Ryan Garko is the first baseman and he slumps, or if Andy Marte struggles. That should be his role for the rest of this season as well.
With Travis Hafner out of the lineup due to a hand injury, isn’t this a great opportunity to move Grady Sizemore into the #3 hole? The skipper could use Joe Inglett, Choo, or Michaels in the top spot and drop Sizemore in the order. Wouldn’t this be preferable to moving Michaels into the third spot like Wedge did in Sunday’s game? After all, Sizemore could be driving in some runs with his league leading total of extra base hits. With Hafner in there, leading off the All Star makes sense, but without Pronk in there, Grady Sizemore should be batting third.
The Indians called up reinforcements from Buffalo, mostly to help out in the bullpen. However, what difference does it make when the only guys the manager will use with a lead are Rafael Betancourt, Fernando Cabrera, and Tom Mastny. Again, with the season being all about next year, it is important to use guys like Edward Mujica and Jason Davis to see if they can handle the pressure. It is important for the players currently on the team to win, but Wedge paints himself into corners by limiting his relief corps in this manner. Last year, it was Cabrera, Howry, and Wickman in late game situations, and I think Howry showed a little weariness in the last week of the season. I would like to see the skipper have four or five dependable late game guys to keep everyone fresh.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 