The Cleveland Indians did the right thing last week by designating 3B Andy Marte for assignment after they acquired another relief pitcher. They traded a minor league infielder to Tampa Bay for right-hander Juan Salas, who was in the minors most of last year, but spent a considerable amount of time in the majors in 2007 with the Rays.
The Tribe seems to be stockpiling relievers. Besides the guys who seem to have the roster made (Kerry Wood, Rafael Betancourt, Rafael Perez, Jensen Lewis, Masa Kobayashi, and Joe Smith), GM Mark Shapiro has assembled a cadre of veteran arms to compete with rookie fireballer Adam Miller for the last spot in the bullpen. At the very least, Columbus will have a heck of a good relief staff.
Salas joins rookies Jon Meloan and Tony Sipp, and vets Matt Herges, Greg Aquino, Jack Cassel, and Vinnie Chulk as other bullpen options, while Tomo Ohka and Kirk Saarloos are competing for starting spots with Aaron Laffey, David Huff, Jeremy Sowers, Zach Jackson, and Scott Lewis. There are a lot of arms in camp, and I don’t think it all has to do with the World Baseball Classic.
The bullpen is the most volatile part of a pitching staff, so it’s certainly not a bad idea to have several back up options in case of an injury or ineffectiveness. The Indians are taking this plan to another level. They have almost an entire back up bullpen made up of guys who have been effective at the major league level.
However, the depth also gives you an opportunity to make a trade from a position of strength. Especially when you have a weakness in your starting rotation. Would dealing a Betancourt with a position player bring the team the starting pitcher they need? Having a Miller, Salas, or a Herges in reverse certainly makes working that deal a little less painful.
Any deal of this type could also involve the overload at 1B/LF. The Tribe has several options at these spots behind the incumbents, Ryan Garko and Ben Francisco. Victor Martinez can play first, opening up the catching spot for Kelly Shoppach, and the team also has Carlos Santana in the wings. Santana will likely start at Class AA Akron this spring.
Cleveland also has Matt LaPorta, the centerpiece of the C.C. Sabathia trade, who can play first and leftfield, as well as Michael Brantley, who also came over in the Sabathia deal, who can play LF. And don’t forget about former first round draft pick Trevor Crowe, who Eric Wedge said is the closest of this trio to make the big club.
Couple these options with David Dellucci, giving Garko and Josh Barfield some time in the outfield, and the fact that Mark DeRosa can also play left, and you have the ingredients to a possible trade. If the starting rotation doesn’t show well in Arizona, and Shapiro thinks he has to make a move, look for a trade involving these positions.
The 2009 Cleveland Indians will be able to score runs, they will only go as far as there starting pitching will take them. Shapiro may be searching for ways to do that when the regular season is dawning. He’s given himself some players that may not make the team, but could make someone else’s club.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 