The Cleveland Indians will never be mistaken for road warriors. They started a nine game road trip this weekend by dropping two out of three to the Minnesota Twins. Looking at the Twins’ roster, it is hard to believe they can contend for a division title. They give considerable playing time to guys like Nick Punto, Brendan Harris, and Mike Redmond, all journeymen players at best. I understand they have two great players in Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, as well as solid, young pitchers, but it’s a tribute to their fundamental soundness and the managing of Ron Gardenhire.
Obviously, the Indians made several moves before the trading deadline by dealing CC Sabathia and Casey Blake, but the bullpen is still a shambles for the most part, so I hope the moves haven’t ended. Eric Wedge is back to his certain guys pitch with the lead mode, so it appears the only hurlers he trusts are Rafael Perez and Masa Kobayashi. Edward Mujica is on the fringe and is the guy the skipper will go to if either of the others isn’t available. Therefore, there still should be some shuffling in the relief corps.
If Perez is going to be used in save situations, which it appears he will, the team needs another lefty in the bullpen. Rich Rundles is a southpaw who has pitched well at Buffalo this season, even making the AAA All-Star Game. He should be given a shot at being the situational lefty the Tribe bullpen needs. He could be brought up at the expense of either Jensen Lewis, who continues to have troubles throwing strikes, or the Juan Rincon expirement (he gives up pretty much a run per inning) could end at any time.
Don’t forget the Tribe also has veteran Brendan Donnelly, who is recovering from arm surgery, on the Buffalo roster, and I’m guessing he has to be brought up soon. He was a highly successful set up man working for the Angels for many years.
The shuffling shouldn’t end in the bullpen either. After his first appearance for the Indians, Matt Ginter has allowed 12 runs in 16 innings. That’s a 6.75 ERA for those mathematically challenged. With Anthony Reyes firing eight innings and allowing just one run at Buffalo yesterday, he can’t be far from getting a start with the big club soon. The front office needs to look at him because he is out of options after the season.
The main thing for GM Mark Shapiro and the rest of the management team is to get a look at as many people he can the rest of the season. It has to be done while allowing guys like Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore to continue to excel. It also appears some of the injured players, notably Victor Martinez and Josh Barfield will be back soon. The lineup will have to be shuffled to get those guys back in there. Wouldn’t it be nice to see a Ben Francisco hitting sixth or seventh on the 2009 version of the Tribe. Getting back Martinez and Travis Hafner would make that a reality.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 