The Cleveland Indians are doing what they usually do, that is they are finishing the season strong. Unfortunately, much like 2008, the chance to make the post-season ended sometime at the end of May. It was certainly over once the Tribe visited Wrigley Field, where they blew three straight games to the Cubs.
So now it’s time to start looking toward 2010. For starters, the Indians need to get off to a better start to the season, something they have really only done once (2007) in the last seven years. Strangely, those seven seasons tie in to the tenure of Eric Wedge as the Cleveland skipper. They also need to do better in interleague play, which has become a problem the past two seasons.
In terms of players, who is a keeper and who should be replaced? Surely, the Indians have some talent on the roster, particularly among the everyday players. It’s one of the reasons the decision to deal Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez is galling, particularly the southpaw who is currently terrorizing the National League. It would certainly be nice to have a legitimate ace on the staff.
Despite the trade of Martinez, the Indians still rank fifth in the American League in runs scored. With all of the young players, the offense can be inconsistent, but that may change with a new hitting coach.
Certainly, Grady Sizemore is a fixture in the lineup. Sizemore’s elbow has bothered him this season, but he still has a 780 OPS despite this, and recently is starting to hit like the Sizemore of 2007 and 2008. It would be great if he cut down on his strikeouts, but he’s a fixture in the 2010 batting order.
The outfield is two-thirds in place because of the emergence of Shin-Soo Choo. Choo followed up his excellent second half of ’08 with a solid season. He is among the league leaders in on base percentage and has 48 extra base hits to date. He’s another who could stand to cut down on whiffing, but to his credit, he has been quoted as saying he needs to do that.
Asdrubal Cabrera is the last of the “for sures” in the ’10 Tribe lineup. He was moved to shortstop to upgrade the defense at that position, but he has raised the offense at the spot as well with an 813 OPS. He may have a higher batting average (.314) than he will carry in the future, but he should improve his power numbers, as he gets older. Remember, he’s just 23 years old.
That leaves six spots in the lineup.
Travis Hafner figures to be the DH, especially with his big contract. He has been pretty productive overall this season with an 858 OPS, including a .500 slugging percentage, and 28 extra base hits in 248 at bats. He may never be "Pronk" again, but he could be a 26 HR, 80 RBI guy, which isn’t the end of the world.
Matt LaPorta figures to be in the lineup somewhere, either at LF or 1B, but he is young and GM Mark Shapiro needs to have a veteran on the roster to serve as the back up plan should the key player in the C.C. Sabathia trade struggle early. Luis Valbuena continues to impress, and should be at least half of a platoon set up at 2B. He is hitting better the more time he gets in the majors, which is a good sign. He’s also an extra base hit machine with 29 in 249 at bats, meaning he has more than Hafner in one more at bat.
That leaves catcher, third base, and either LF/1B depending on where LaPorta winds up.
I have a hard time believing Kelly Shoppach will be on the team next season because he has been terrible and he is eligible for arbitration. The catching duo for 2010 will likely be Lou Marson and Wyatt Toregas, unless Carlos Santana wows everyone in training camp. However, based on the way the Tribe does business, Santana will start the season at Columbus.
The hot corner is a difference of opinion for me and the Indians. I would be looking to replace Jhonny Peralta who continues to show he is nothing more than an average player, one who will make almost $5 million next season. That’s too much for a team crying about a high payroll. I would move Peralta for more pitching, and find a stop gap free agent to play third next season. You can probably get a serviceable player for about $2 miilion, one that can give you the productivity of Peralta. Keep in mind, the third baseman of the future is a year or two away in Lonnie Chisenhall.
If Andy Marte continues to hit, he could play 3B as well, and then you would need a veteran to man left field or first base. Or the team could give Jordan Brown (hitting .330 at Columbus) a shot at first. GM Mark Shapiro will have to add a mid-level free agent to provide insurance.
We will look at the pitching staff later this week.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 