It appears that the traditional three-day All Star break is all but gone. Tomorrow, the Tigers and Orioles will play the only game in the American League. The rest of the league gets back to work on Friday, including the Indians who will start a three game series against the Seattle Mariners, and then travel to Anaheim for a set against the Angels.
Even though the Tribe has played 94 games, the All-Star break is the traditional half waypoint of the season. Here are some things I would like to see the rest of the year, and see them sooner than later.
Bring Asdrubal Back. Since being sent to Buffalo, Asdrubal Cabrera has hit .326/.375/.475 with 4 HR and 13 RBI. Because the Indians are looking ahead to 2009, it’s time to bring him back to Cleveland and play him everyday at 2B. The Tribe can designate journeyman utility man Jorge Velandia for assignment. While I would like to see Cabrera take more walks (only 7 in 141 at bats at AAA), it looks like he has regained his hitting stroke. The Indians need to see if Cabrera can hit enough to play everyday at the major league level.
Put La Porta on the Fast Track. Matt La Porta is the guy GM Mark Shapiro wanted in the CC Sabathia deal, and it is obvious he has mastered the AA level. He has hit .292/.401/.575 with 21 HR and 70 RBI in 318 at bats. Let’s move him to Buffalo and see what he can do at the AAA level. It’s not as though the Bison outfield is loaded with prospects. He would be replacing guys like Jason Tyner, Jason Cooper, Todd Linden, and Brad Snyder. It would set the slugging outfielder up for a promotion to the big club perhaps as early as mid-August. There is no need for him to stay at Akron.
Trade Casey Blake. Blake has been a solid performer since he came to the Tribe in 2003, even though he seems to be a lightning rod for the fans. However, he is making $6 million per year and with the season he is having, would likely want more next season. That being said, he will be 35 years old next season and is unlikely to be better in ’09. He can do a solid job at 1B, 3B, LF, and RF, and is a solid major league hitter. Mark Shapiro needs to get what he can for Blake, and give him the chance to play for a contender. His departure would also give an opportunity to see Andy Marte and/or Wes Hodges at 3B the rest of the season.
Look At Some Kids. Besides the aforementioned La Porta and Hodges, the Indians should give some big league time to guys like reliever Jeff Stevens (let’s give him a shot to close), OF Trevor Crowe (if he ever gets healthy), 1B Jordan Brown, RP Tony Sipp (just back after Tommy John surgery) and even lefty Zach Jackson, who was in the Sabathia deal. This team cannot waste time giving more at bats to guys like David Dellucci.
Get Healthy. It looks like Fausto Carmona will rejoin the starting rotation next week when the team comes home from the west coast. Hopefully, the Victor Martinez that returns in August will resemble the guy who played here last season. And it would really be great if Travis Hafner could get some at bats before the season ends, so the management can see if he can show signs of getting back to a guy who can hit 30 HR in 2009.
Hopefully, some of these moves can occur before the season resumes in Seattle Friday night. If the Cleveland Indians are in re-tooling mode, there isn’t any reason not to start the process as soon as possible.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 