It was one week ago that Indians’ GM Mark Shapiro said that Eric Wedge’s job is safe at least through the rest of the season. The ballclub responded by losing its next three contests, and four out of six overall. Obviously, the constant talk about the skipper’s job status was affecting the team’s play, because now that they knew what was happening, they relaxed…and played exactly the same way they have all year long.
Wedge’s status is temporary, because I can’t see any scenario where the Dolan family signs off on another year of this manager and his coaching staff. By the end of the year, it is likely that Wedge will have a below .500 career record with only two winning seasons on his seven year term. Not even his most ardent supporter, which is Shapiro, can argue with those results.
Now that the manager’s status has been cleared up, can this organization look forward to 2010? In some regards they have, and in others, let’s just say it’s a little frightening how they think.
For a team whose bullpen has been awful this season, it would seem odd to deal the most reliable reliever you’ve had for the past five seasons. However, that’s what the Indians might do because of Rafael Betancourt’s $5 million option for 2010. Outside of an off year in 2008, Betancourt has been the model of consistency since being called up in 2003. If the Dolans want to cut salary, then deal players who are unproductive. Year in and year out, Rafael Betancourt has been one of the better set up men in baseball. Why don’t the Indians trade someone like…
Jhonny Peralta, who has been a underachiever for much of his time here since his breakout season in 2005. The Plain Dealers’ Terry Pluto wrote what he have advocated for a month now, that Peralta should be moved and he is more tradable because he is under contract through 2010. Yes, the Tribe mishandled him this year, as he should have been moved to 3B in spring training, but Peralta fails in the mental part of the game. He is slow to make adjustments, and has appeared listless when things are going bad.
Besides, it’s time to give Andy Marte another look. I was as down on Marte as everyone else after last season, but he is hitting better than he ever has in AAA ball, and deserves another look. Remember, he still is only 25 years old.
Hopefully, the team will bring up Matt LaPorta and perhaps Michael Brantley as well, and allow them to play the bulk of the time with the rest of this season being dedicated to ’10. There is no need to continue to play Ryan Garko in the outfield, as he compromisizes the defense too much. Also, Ben Francisco has shown he’s not an every day player, and the team needs to find a regular LF for next season. With the pitching staff the Indians have this season, defense has to be a priority, particularly in the outfield.
I would also like to see Hector Rondon get a look as well. I’m sure the front office is going to limit Rondon to about 160 innings this season, and I would like to see him get a start or two before the September call ups and more teams are playing out the string.
Let’s stop playing guys who’ve been given numerous chances without producing. That’s what the rest of this season is all about. Start finding answers for what went wrong in 2009.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 