Tribe Stuff

• In a previous life, Eric Wedge must have really wanted to play first base.  That would explain why he is intent on having a roster full of guys who play the position.  Recently recalled Chris Gimenez, who came up because of Victor Martinez’ bruised knee, made his debut at, you guessed it, 1B.  Add him to the list of players who have manned the spot this year:  Martinez, Ryan Garko, Mark DeRosa, and Matt LaPorta.  Wedge also talked about playing Jhonny Peralta there as well. 
• Speaking of Peralta, shouldn’t he be on the trade block?  Much of the focus on a trade centers on DeRosa, who is a free agent at the end of the year, but Peralta would bring more in return because he’s not.  Prior to this year, Peralta was a shortstop who hit like a third baseman.  Now, he is a third baseman who hits like a shortstop.  Really, can you imagine Peralta as a key player on a perennial contender? 
• Wedge likes to move around people defensively, but he is pretty rigid with the batting order for certain players.  It took an act of Congress to move Asdrubal Cabrera into the leadoff spot.
• When Grady Sizemore was rested before he went on the disabled list, Jamey Carroll led off with Ben Francisco hitting second.  What changed since Cabrera got hurt?  Francisco has picked it up offensively lately, but he’s not a leadoff hitter.  Who should lead off?
• Why not Shin-Soo Choo,  now that Travis Hafner is back.  Choo has one of the highest on base percentages in the American League, and would provide some extra base potential as well.  He would be the closest thing to Sizemore as a lead off hitter.  If not Choo, then leave Carroll in there when he’s in the lineup.  He works counts and draws walks.
• I understand that Trevor Crowe is here to back up in CF, but he still looks overmatched at the plate.  I would rather see Luis Valbuena with a bat in his hands at this point than Crowe, who needs to see more AAA pitching before he is ready to play at the big league level.
• It was time to send out Fausto Carmona to get straightened out.  In his last start, I’d have had the bullpen warming after he walked the first two Minnesota batters.  And there is certainly no way I would have let him face Jason Kubel in the second inning after his homer in the first.  As soon as the righty walks someone, he loses all confidence in his ability.
• Isn’t it amazing that Carl Pavano might just command the most in a trade if the Indians go in that direction at the deadline.  However, how can GM Mark Shapiro trade for prospects when his team is just six games out of first?
• What if Wedge were a politician.  Would he tell his constituents to "grind it out" in this tough economy?  Would the legislature be seeing a bill well after it was proposed?  Speaking in cliches is a good thing, if you win!

KM