In GM Mark Shapiro’s year end "State of the Tribe" address, he indicated that the ballclub’s needs were limited to the bullpen and second base. He talked that the offense, which finished 2nd in baseball in runs scored did not need any tinkering.
The bullpen is the biggest need, undoubtedly. My belief is rather than chase a closer who is not available, the Indians should stock up on established set up men, one of which could become the guy who gets the final three outs. This year’s Tribe blew more games in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings than in the final frame. The early part of the season, when the campaign went south by the way, the problem was not Bob Wickman, it was getting to him. Getting three experienced set up men (who have pitched and been successful in the American League) should be the biggest priority.
Second base is the next item for consideration, and no I don’t want Ronnie Belliard back. He turns the double play well, but his range is mediocre, that’s why he plays in short right field. Swinging a trade for Orlando Hudson would be a great idea, since he is a gold glove defender and has a little pop in his bat. Otherwise, Shapiro should get a one year stop gap and plan on Trevor Crowe making the transition to the keystone in 2008.
However, even though the club scored a ton of runs in 2006, the offense needs to be addressed. This team strikes out way, way, way, too much. It lead the AL in whiffs. Had Casey Blake not been injured this past season, the Tribe would have had five regular fan 100 times (Peralta, Sizemore, Hafner, Michaels, and Blake). To me, that’s one reason this team loses close games. It can’t do the little things at the plate because they don’t make good enough contact.
I’m not talking about bunting. That play is way overrated. I’m talking about stealing runs early in games with ground balls and other outs. Early in games, especially in the AL, defenses play back giving you free runs. If the batter strikes out, the offense doesn’t take advantage. That missing run can come back to haunt a team later in the game.
Shapiro needs to get a professional hitter to bat after Travis Hafner. Alfonso Soriano is NOT that guy. Carlos Lee would be perfect, but will be too expensive. Perhaps a hitter in the last years of his deal is out there and the Tribe can steal him for a year or two.
Yes, the bullpen and 2B are the chief needs for the Tribe. But ignoring the striking out problem on offense is like burying your head in the sand. I don’t regard Mark Shapiro as an ostrich.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 