As the Cleveland Indians’ season slides into the abyss, the management has tried meetings, changing players, and changing the roles of players. None have seemed to work. It’s now time for a more drastic action, one I never would have imagined suggesting at the beginning of the year. It’s time to replace the manager, Eric Wedge.
The Tribe is now 11-20 for the season, but because of the weakness of the AL Central Division, they are only seven games out of first place. So, there is a lot time to get back into the race, but first the Indians need to get back to the .500 mark.
Wedge’s stubbornness will prevent that from happening. GM Mark Shapiro has to be chapped when he sees David Dellucci (1 for his last 18) and Ben Francisco (a fourth outfielder) in the lineup while the team’s best prospect sits on the bench. Matt LaPorta has been on the roster for eight days, and has played only half the games. He would be better served playing everyday in Columbus, but I’m guessing that wasn’t part of the plan when he was called up. The same is true for INF Luis Valbuena.
Mark DeRosa continues to bat fifth even though he is struggling, and Grady Sizemore probably won’t be moved out of the lead off spot until either Congress or the Pope agrees to it. Sizemore is a very good player, but right now he is killing the team with his .300 on base percentage and constant strikeouts. Why not try Asdrubal Cabrera in the #1 hole with Shin-Soo Choo batting second. Both players are in the top 15 in the American League in on base percentage.
The point is why not try something different? Yes, the bullpen has been a major cause for the losing, but the offense has taken on the personality of Kelly Shoppach, it is all or nothing. Perhaps Derek Shelton is preaching proper situational hitting, but if he is, the message is not getting through. The fact that Dellucci came up in a situation with the Tribe trailing 2-0, and with runners on first and second with nobody out and first failed to get a bunt down, and then lined into a double play, is a microcosm of the season.
This is not to pick on Dellucci, as he is hardly the only Indian to fail in this regard this season.
The bullpen failure is also a by-product of Wedge’s stubborness. Jensen Lewis was being brought in the key situations well past the time he was pitching effectively, and last night the skipper brought n Rafael Betancourt, even though he pitched the night before, and two of the next three hitters were left-handed hitters. Why move Aaron Laffey to the bullpen if you aren’t going to use him.
The players aren’t producing, but they really aren’t trying to save Wedge’s job either. Francisco was thrown out trying to stretch a single with the Tribe trailing 13-2 the other night. Cabrera was out doing the same thing against Detroit on Friday. These boneheaded plays do not reflect well on the manager.
Also, you can’t fire 25 players. So, if a team is struggling, it’s the manager that goes. Buck Showalter, who worked in the front office a couple of years ago, would be a good choice. He would make the players accountable. It’s time for a little fire and brimstone for the Cleveland Indians.
A national writer a couple of weeks ago, I believe it was ESPN’s Rob Neyer, but I’m not sure, said that Wedge may not be the problem, but he may not be the solution either. The Cleveland Indians need to find someone who is the solution. This team shouldn’t be 11-20, they need a new leader to get them out of the doldrums.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 