Why The Panic?

 

The title of this blog has nothing to do with the fans reaction to yesterday’s meltdown by Joe Borowski, who gave up six runs after two were out to lose a game to the Yankees, 8-6.  Yes, it’s a disappointing defeat.  Mostly it’s too bad for Fausto Carmona, who had not won since his first big league start last April.  He shut down the Bronx Bombers for six innings and seemed in line to stop a two game losing streak and get that elusive 2nd win.  Alas, it was not to be.  If the Tribe rebounds against Tampa Bay this weekend, this loss will be forgotten soon.

 

I am talking about the panic showed by Manager Eric Wedge with his lineup.  Going into Yankee Stadium, the Indians had won six of their first nine games.  They lost Tuesday night, in a game they did not play well, particularly Andy Marte who made two errors.  The skipper gave the youngster the days off the rest of the series.  Why?  Yes, Marte is struggling at the plate, but so is half the team.  Wednesday night, he didn’t play to get David Dellucci in the game against a left hander.  Dellucci is a platoon player because he has had pretty much no success against southpaws. 

 

Yesterday, Marte didn’t play so Casey Blake could be in the game.  Marte is batting .194 with a home run and seven RBI’s.  Not particularly good numbers.  But they are better than Blake’s .185 average with 1 HR and 2 RBI’s.  Plus, does anyone remember the last season Blake played third base on a full time basis?  Not exactly Brooks Robinson reincarnated, as he made close to 20 errors at the position.  Marte is a young player who needs to play, and needs to know he is going to be in there.  With the team winning games, there is no reason to sit him down for three of the last four games.  Unless that reason is to get Blake in the lineup.

 

There is pressure for the Indians to win this season.  The front office has not picked up the option on the manager’s contract for 2008.  That doesn’t mean Wedge should deviate from what the Indians need to accomplish as an organization.  You cannot start taking guys out of the lineup for poor play, especially a young player, after ten or twelve games.  Let him play.  He’s also fourth on the team in RBI’s, so it’s not like he has been totally overmatched. 

 

The skipper also has to realize, or be told if he can’t see it, that Blake is a journeyman player.  He’s a good second option and should be used sparingly.  He can play RF against lefties.  He can get some starts at 1B occasionally.  But, he’s not an everyday player on a championship contender.  That’s not even mentionning why he is hitting in the middle of the lineup.

 

One other thing.  Dellucci came to the Tribe with a reputation for not being a good defensive outfielder.  He’s lived up to that billing.  Any flyball that is not routine is an adventure.  Wedge sees this and does put Jason Michaels in LF for defense in close games.  Another thing that troubles me is the amount of whiffs.  The Indians are behind only the Royals and Devil Rays in the number of times they strike out per game.  It’s hard to be consistent on offense with so many players striking out in key situations.

 

Mark Shapiro acquired Josh Barfield and Marte because they are young impact players.  They need to be in the lineup every day so they can get comfortable.  Marte is not going to be the next Mike Schmidt, but if he hits .240 with 25 HR’s, that’s nothing to be upset about.  Even with a 6-6 record, it’s much too early for panic.

 

KM