The Cleveland Indians just concluded their worst season since 1991, finishing with a 65-97 record, which included a 7-24 disaster from the first of September through the end of the campaign. Now, it’s time to look forward to 2010 and for the first time since 2003, a new manager will be at the helm.
We have no idea who that will be, but hopefully it will be someone from outside the organization, a person with a fresh perspective on the talent that exists within the organization.
And there is talent in the organization, without question. Today, we want to take a look at who, barring trades, is a lock to be in the lineup or pitching staff going into the 2010 season—
There are three obvious fixtures in the ’10 Tribe lineup: Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo, and Grady Sizemore. At 23 years old, Cabrera has become arguably the second best shortstop in the American League behind Derek Jeter, hitting .308 with 42 doubles. As he gets older and stronger, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to imagine him as an 15-20 home run in the future.
The left-handed swinging Choo proved that last year’s outstanding second half of the season was no joke. He batted .300 and ranked 8th in the league in on-base percentage. He had an OPS of 883, which is slightly higher than his career mark of 877. He did strikeout 151 times (6th in the AL), but says that is not acceptable. He can hit in the middle of the order or at the top. Pencil him into RF in 2010.
Sizemore suffered through an injury-plagued season and still had an OPS of 788. He is also just 27 years old, the same as Choo. Yes, he strikes out too much and his arm is weak, but he is still a very productive player. The new manager may want Sizemore’s extra base power in the middle of the order, but he will most definitely be in the lineup next season.
There are several players who would probably have to play their way out of the starting lineup in spring training: Matt LaPorta, Luis Valbuena, and Lou Marson. LaPorta showed enough after his recall in August that he should be an everyday player in 2010, whether it is at 1B or LF. Valbuena surprised everyone with his pop, getting 38 extra base hits in 398 at bats. He will be just 24 years old entering spring training, the same as Cabrera, and barring an awful time in Arizona will be the starting 2B.
Marson, another youngster who will be just 24 next season, should hold down the starting catcher’s job until Carlos Santana is ready. Marson showed a good arm, is pretty patient at the plate, and has doubles power.
Assuming his shoulder gets stronger and he stays healthy, Travis Hafner will be the DH, leaving 3B and either 1B/LF open.
Some would say, you forgot Jhonny Peralta, but with his poor 2009 campaign (outside of his RBI total, it was mediocre) and his inflated salary, my guess is he will be moved in the off-season leaving the hot corner vacant.
Here’s hoping GM Mark Shapiro opts for a couple of veteran right-handed bats, and the current make up of the team is heavily left-handed.
As for the starting pitching, I don’t think anyone should be guaranteed a job, although it David Huff and Justin Masterson should have a leg up on the competition. If Fausto Carmona is throwing strikes in camp, then fine. If Jake Westbrook is healthy, then he is in.
It has been written that southpaw Aaron Laffey is etched in stone as a starter, but his poor finish to the season should make him another in the possibility column. It should be an open competition, so if Carlos Carrasco and Hector Rondon are lights out in Goodyear, they should open the season with the big club.
This is another area in which a veteran innings eater needs to be obtained, either by trade or free agency, because the Tribe needs a reliable starter to keep pressure off of the bullpen. Going with five guys who haven’t proved much or are coming off injuries is a recipe for disaster.
It was interesting to note that among the things Shapiro listed in qualities for a new manager was handling diverse personalities and handling a bullpen. Part of the relief woes stems from the starters’ ineffectiveness, but another problem was the manager’s use of the ‘pen. Wedge stayed with guys not getting the job done way too long (Rafael Perez this year, Rafael Betancourt and Joe Borowski last year), instead of going with the hot hand.
If Kerry Wood is not back, and I don’t think he will be, that puts guys like Chris Perez and Tony Sipp in line to close games. It would not be a surprise if Jose Veras and Jess Todd were in the mix late in games as well. Todd was handled poorly, being sent out for an extra inning many times after a good inning early in his call up instead of letting him build some confidence.
The Cleveland Indians do not have a lot of money to spend because attendance will be down after a disappointing season. Therefore, they have to use their resources wisely, and not pay big salaries to superfluous people. They need starting pitching. Here’s hoping they figure out a way to get some reliable arms.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 