The official hot stove season starts on Friday, when free agents are eligible to start signing with other teams. However, the trade market did get a head start with a couple of deals made the last couple of days. The Indians haven’t done anything yet, but the rumors out there don’t really make me all warm and fuzzy, and ready for spring training.
Luckily, when Tribe GM Mark Shapiro does make a move, it usually comes without a ton of rumors. Let hope that’s the case this year, because right now it looks like the Indians are doing exactly what I feared they would do. That is looking to add little pieces instead of a big chunk.
Look at the players that have showed up in rumors involving Cleveland: Mark Teahen, Ty Wigginton, Scott Olsen. All of these guys would be spare parts. Teahen is a younger Casey Blake. Wigginton had good numbers with the Astros last season, but nearly all of his damage occurred at the friendly confines of Minute Maid Park. Olsen is a young lefty who took advantage of the big yard he plays in with the Marlins.
Speaking of Blake, there are several rumors that have him returning to the Indians for the 2009 season. Blake had a solid season last year, but he will turn 36 years old next August. I am guessing he is not going to settle for a one-year deal worth $2.5 million per year after earning $6 million in 2008. So, it would be a bad move for the Indians.
If I’m Mark Shapiro, I think I can spend the $6-7 million dollars Blake will command on better things. And certainly, I would be leery about giving a 35-year old player more than a one-year commitment.
This is not to pick on Blake, but as Time Warner’s Les Levine pointed out on Monday night, how does signing Blake make the Indians a better team in 2009? Shapiro needs to be looking at upgrades, not the same cast of characters who made the Indians a .500 ballclub in 2008.
Let’s say that Shapiro has an additional $15 million to spend on payroll this off-season. What makes more sense? To spend $3 million each on five average players or to spend $10-12 million per year on a player who can contribute to getting the Indians back in the playoffs? Now I have no idea how much money the Tribe budget allows this winter, but you can see what I’m getting at.
If they are going to sign a guy like Wigginton, then why not give the 3B job to Wes Hodges? Hodges does struggle defensively, but he is hitting well in the Arizona Fall League. At least Hodges has an upside; you know what you are going to get with Wigginton, who is basically a journeyman.
The Indians need to make a big splash. They need to add an established starting pitcher and an everyday player who has some pop. Indications are they are not interested in getting an outfielder since guys like Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley are on the horizon. However, if they are going to get an infielder who is no more than average, I would rather spend more money on pitching and play the young guys.
Understand that free agency isn’t the only to spend money. The Indians could trade some prospects to pick up a good player who is a year or two away from free agency, and the current club has already determined they aren’t going to sign. Such as the A’s trading for Matt Holliday. The problem there is Shapiro’s fear that one of his prospects will turn into the next Albert Pujols.
Of course, the fans here don’t help with the constant referrals to Brandon Phillips or Kevin Kouzmanoff, neither of who are really elite players.
If the Indians want to contend in 2009, it will take bold steps. Signing more players like David Dellucci and Casey Blake will not get it done.
We would also like to extend our condolences to the Score family on the death of former Tribe pitcher and broadcaster Herb Score. The lefthander saw more bad baseball than anyone, and he always presented it with enjoyment. He never felt down about the bad break his pitching career took, and he could have been one of the great ones. I remember reading an article about Hank Aaron when I was younger and he was asked who threw harder, Sandy Koufax or Nolan Ryan. Aaron replied Herb Score. RIP.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 