Bullpen Reconstruction Complete

 

The Cleveland Indians signed former Red Sox closer Keith Foulke to a one year contract yesterday, completing the rebuilding of a bullpen that was the most significant weakness of a disappointing team in 2006.  The one year deal is also noteworthy because it does not tie the team down for a number of years with any of the veteran relievers they inked this off season.

 

Foulke has had two seasons of over 40 saves (’01 and ’03) and two other years where he saved more than 30 games (’00 and ’04).  Before having injury problems the past two seasons, his ERA was below 3.00 six consecutive years.  If he’s healthy, he’s effective.  That’s the big concern, although he pitched well in September last season with the Red Sox, throwing 11-1/3 scoreless innings. 

 

GM Mark Shapiro’s strategy was to bring in enough people to give skipper Eric Wedge options in his relief corps.  There will be competition for jobs in the bullpen during spring training, and if one guy is not effective, the ballclub has someone else in reserve either at Buffalo or pitching earlier in the game to go to.  And the key is the Tribe did not have to spend a boatload of cash, nor are they tied up to a reliever for several years if he is not pitching well.  Therefore, the Indians did a great job in rebuilding the ‘pen, at least on paper. 

 

Critics of the Dolans don’t want to hear it, but payroll flexibility is a must, especially with the large contract being given out during this off season.  You have to remember that the contracts of Travis Hafner and C.C. Sabathia will be ending after the 2008 season.  Who knows what those two guys will command based on the contracts guys like Carlos Lee and Barry Zito received this winter.  If the Tribe ownership isn’t willing to pay these two guys around $13-15 million per year, they will become free agents.  Shapiro said he is going to approach Hafner and Sabathia about extensions soon, along with Jake Westbrook, who will be free after this year.  If negotiations don’t go well, look for major deals involving Pronk and C.C. following the ’07 campaign.

 

The one troubling comment from Shapiro yesterday was that Ryan Garko might open the season at Buffalo even though he knocked in a run per game after his call up last season.  If Garko’s defense is that bad, get a good defensive backup at 1B, and if you are winning the game after 5 or 6 innings, replace him with the better glove.  Again, you have to wonder what Casey Blake has on the front office to merit this undying loyalty.   Blake is a solid player.  He had a terrible 2005 season, but that’s his only truly bad season since arriving with the Indians in 2003.  He averages 20 HR, 70 RBI, and with a .260 average.  Acceptable numbers, yes, but irreplaceable?  No.

 

The Indians should be willing to take the chance that Garko can be a .280-.300 hitter with 25 HR and close to 100 RBI’s.  Until last year in Buffalo, he has always been a tremendously effective hitter, consistently over .300 until 2006.  His lifetime minor league average is .293, which includes the .247 mark in ’06.  Blake can be the team’s back up plan.  He can play RF if Shin-Soo Choo doesn’t pan out.  He could play 3B if Andy Marte doesn’t hit.  Or he could play 1B if Garko isn’t doing the job.  As smart as I think Shapiro is, he should realize Garko just might be more productive than Blake if he plays most of the time. 

 

Here’s hoping Garko tears the cover off the ball in Winter Haven and makes the decision easy for Wedge and Shapiro.  That would be the best scenario for the 1B position. 

 

About six weeks to spring training, and the Tribe is just about set.  They are still trying to sign Mark Mulder, who is recovering from rotator cuff surgery.  This would give Shapiro more flexibility in assembling this year’s roster, and might allow the Tribe to deal a pitcher.  They still need a good defensive utility infielder.  Shapiro didn’t spend all his money on one guy, but he filled out his bullpen.  I give him an A- for his off season.

 

MW