At the end of next season, Indians’ GM Mark Shapiro’s contract with the club could end. There has been speculation that either the Dolans will not pay to keep Shapiro, or that the GM will tire of the ownership’s penny pinching and leave for greener pastures. Here’s hoping the team offers Shapiro a long term deal because he is one of the most important assets the Tribe has heading into the future.
Shapiro is not perfect. He has made bad trades. All people in his position do. However, he dismantled an aging ballclub during the 2002 season and had the team back into contention in 2005. No, they didn’t make the playoffs that year and this year was a disappointment. But, it is difficult to execute a rebuilding job that quickly. The Tigers did it this year, but ask Oriole fans how their process is going (started in ’99, haven’t been close since), or ask Pirate fans (started in ’94, not close since). Most baseball insiders know if the Tribe has a better bullpen in ’07, they will return to contention, if not qualify for the playoffs.
The general manager has also brought in a number of all-star type players. The Indians of the late ’90s were filled with stars like Ramirez, Thome, Belle, Alomar, Vizquel. Shapiro has traded for two players who are among the best players in the game: Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore. He was in the assistant GM when one of the best pitchers in baseball, C.C. Sabathia, was drafted. Cleveland’s farm system is dotted with several top prospects, names like Adam Miller, Chuck Lofgren, and Trevor Crowe are on everyone’s list of the who’s who in the minor leagues.
For a team with payroll limitations, the farm system is the life blood. Producing good players who are under a team’s control for six seasons, and usually at below market costs are very important for every team. Look at the Yankees, where would they have been this year without Wang, Cano, and Cabrera. The Tribe’s system is regarded as one of the best in the game. Shapiro’s background is in player development, and he understands how important this aspect of the organization is.
Shapiro is very well respected throughout baseball. As part of it’s 25th Anniversary, Baseball America listed people who would impact the game in the next 25 years. Shapiro was on the list. There is no question that if the GM wanted to leave or was not offered a contract extension, he would have a job in no time.
Of course, he has weaknesses. His trust in Eric Wedge would be regarded as one. I’m sure Shapiro looks at it as a strong belief that the skipper is the man who will bring a title to Cleveland. Any other negatives do not override the positives of his tenure as the GM of the Indians. Larry Dolan needs to step up and keep Mark Shapiro in Cleveland. It could be the most important move of the off season.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 