Tomorrow afternoon, baseball will return to the Cleveland area, albeit via the radio airwaves. The first exhibition from Florida will take place when the Tribe takes on the Houston Astros. Finally, something to look forward to even if we are battling the snowstorm that has hit the North Coast this week. The crack of the bat, pitches popping into the catchers’ glove, and vendors yelling peanuts will start to be heard in one more day. Baseball is back and opening day is just around the corner.
Unfortunately, the first bit of bad news regarding injuries has already occurred with the news of Adam Miller’s finger. Miller has had problems staying healthy over the past three seasons. In fact, had he not been hurt, he probably would have already been with the Tribe going into the 2007 season. It is definitely a concern that he has only been healthy one year out of the last four campaigns. You have to wonder about a player who has a history of spending time on the disabled list.
However, I can think of another pitcher who had blister problems on his fingers in recent years and the problem was corrected and he’s turned into a bona fide ace. That would be Josh Beckett, who helped the Red Sox eliminate the Tribe and win the World Series for Boston. I understand Miller’s problem is not only blisters, but sometimes being patient with a young guy pays dividends. It’s easy to look at problems and think a player is expendable, but Miller could turn into a dominant starter if he can stay healthy. Let’s hope he can stay in the rotation early in the year at Buffalo, so he can show what he can do at the AAA level.
Another player to keep an eye on is outfielder Ben Francisco, who had three hits in the first intersquad game yesterday. Francisco won the International League batting title last season, and delivered some big hits in his time wearing an Indians’ uniform. It will be interesting to see what happens if Francisco puts up big numbers in spring training. Will Mark Shapiro make room for him by trading Jason Michaels? The youngster would be a good option in LF, with David Dellucci spelling him against tough right-handers, or in a strict platoon. It’s not as though Michaels has put up huge numbers in his two years in Cleveland.
I’m also anxious to see Masahide Kobyashi in the exhibitions. He comes to the Tribe with closing experience in Japan, and has been mentioned as someone who could do that job if Joe Borowski falters. The bullpen was the biggest reason for the Indians success last season, and more good work from the relief corps will go along way toward repeating as division titlists. Tony Sipp, who had arm surgery last season, could be the Jensen Lewis of 2008, coming to the rescue in the middle of the season.
Now that games have started, it is refreshing to talk about the game on the field, rather than appearances in front of Congress and performance enhancing substances. It’s also nice to see reports from Winter Haven and not seeing any snow on the ground.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 