The other day, we talked about the Indians’ projected lineup for 2010. That was the easy part. Today, we are looking at the make up of the ’10 pitching staff, and there really aren’t any anchors to this part of the team going into the off-season.
If healthy, the first couple of guys that come to mind are left-hander Aaron Laffey, and recently acquired righty Justin Masterson. Laffey didn’t start the year with the varsity, but was called up in April and has started and relieved this season. Overall, he has been very effective with a 7-3 record and 3.42 ERA with one save. It is difficult to imagine the southpaw not having a spot on next year’s pitching staff.
Masterson will be on the 2010 Tribe in some capacity, either in the rotation or in the bullpen, as he did both with the Red Sox. Masterson has good stuff, although he does get hit by left handed hitters, but I would prefer him starting because it is more important to have guys who can get 18-20 outs than three. He’s a slinger, but he’s allowed less hits than innings and has struck out 81 hitters in 88-2/3 frames, while walking just 36.
And unless he’s traded during the winter, Kerry Wood will be the Indians’ closer next season. Wood has had some rough spots, particularly with control of his breaking pitch, but has saved 16 games in 21 opportunities. With his contract being a little pricey, he will be with Cleveland in 2010.
The rest of the staff is filled with question marks.
Several young relievers have pitched very well for the Indians this season, but without a real track record, it’s tough to gauge how they will perform in the future. Lefty Tony Sipp and right-hander Chris Perez have replaced the old Raffy Right and Raffy Left duo. Sipp needs to improve his control (17 walks in 26 IP), but has the ability to miss bats (29 K’s and only 17 hits allowed).
Chris Perez has been sensational since his first two outings with the Tribe, allowing just 12 hits in 18-2/3 innings and has struck out 22 hitters while walking just five.
Joe Smith has pitched well, mostly against right-handed hitters and deserves a spot in the ’10 bullpen. He generally throws strikes and keeps the ball in the park.
That leaves three spots in the rotation and three more places in the bullpen.
As for the rotation, the team is hoping Jake Westbrook will finally get over the elbow soreness that plagued his comeback from Tommy John surgery and take a regular turn as a starter. It has been reported there is no structural damage in the joint, so he should be back. Fausto Carmona is showing signs that he can be at least a guy who can provide decent starts since his return from the minors. Those two take two spots on the pitching staff.
That leaves the competition for the last spot in the rotation to David Huff (8-7), Jeremy Sowers (5-9), Carlos Carrasco, and Hector Rondon. I like Huff despite the high ERA (6.50), because he shows the ability to keep his team into games better. However, Carrasco has been lights out since coming over from the Phillies organization, and Rondon is pitching at AAA at 21 years of age.
Here’s hoping the front office picks the guy who pitches the best in spring training rather than having an agenda based on something other than performance.
As for the bullpen, I would assume that Rafael Perez gets one of the spots based on past performance. He was one of the best left-handed relievers in baseball in 2007 and 2008, and he deserves the chance to show this year is an aberration.
The last two spots would seem to have Jess Todd and Jensen Lewis’ names on them, but GM Mark Shapiro could look to bring in more power arms in trades or free agency. Todd has been spotty in limited appearances. He has fallen into Eric Wedge’s plan of only certain guys can pitch with a lead, and he currently isn’t one of them.
Lewis is a Wedge favorite, so if the skipper isn’t back, he could have a tough time making the roster. I would give Lewis a look as a starter though. His biggest drawback is the gopher ball, which would be minimized as a starter. He has allowed less hits than innings pitched and has struck out over twice as many as he has walked.
There is also the possibility of some youngsters currently in the minors being in contention for spots as well. Southpaw Rich Rundles or newcomer R.J. Swindle could be used as situational guys, while Steven Wright, who is 10-0 at Akron, Josh Judy, or Connor Graham, who came from the Rockies for Rafael Betancourt deal, could contend for a spot in the relief corps.
If the team has some money available for free agency, I would recommend signing another bullpen arm and a starter who can eat some innings to provide some stability in the pitching staff. Obviously, these wouldn’t be high-ticket guys, but perhaps some guys who get past the first wave of free agency and are still looking for contract in January.
If the Tribe is going to make a run in ’10, the quality of their pitching will be the reason why.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 