Although many people had been clamoring for some sort of move over the past few weeks, the news was still somewhat shocking.
The Indians recalled Lonnie Chisenhall from Columbus and designated Adam Everett for assignment.
Everett is a class act, but his production at the plate was not up to major league standards, which was predicted here when he was signed. Everett has never been a good major league hitter (lifetime .248 batting average), and over the past few years has struggled to keep a big league job.
Chisenhall, the Tribe’s top prospect along with Jason Kipnis, was put right in the lineup at 3B, where he hopefully will stay most of the time. Manager Manny Acta hinted that the rookie will be given some time off against tough lefties.
It will be interesting to see what happens if Chisenhall holds his own at the plate, which would be an improvement over incumbent Jack Hannahan, whose average has dipped under the .220 mark.
If he succeeds, he could give the front office the courage to continue the influx of players coming up from Columbus in place of the non-productive veterans.
Kipnis could be the next guy to arrive in Cleveland. He’s a second baseman by trade, and will be playing in the Futures Game in Phoenix prior to the All Star Game.
He’s currently hitting .292 with 9 HR and 44 RBI (877 OPS) with the Clippers and leads the International League in triples. He probably would already be here except that he hits left-handed, like most of the current Indians.
Luis Valbuena is another Clipper who should come back to Cleveland soon, and he’s someone who has played in the outfield (LF) this season.
Valbuena, a switch hitter, is batting .314 with 10 HR and 49 RBI (895 OPS) at Columbus. Remember, that in his rookie year of 2009, he had a solid season with the Tribe.
The organization also has to make a decision on Nick Johnson by the end of this week, per his contract. Johnson, a former Yankee and National first baseman, is only hitting .220 in the capital city, so GM Chris Antonetti may be trying to buy some time with him to extend the call up date.
It was good to see Chisenhall be brought up because quite frankly, it was beginning to look like the management was ignoring the fact the Tribe is just a game out of first place with July 1st on the horizon.
That would have spurred more criticism of the much maligned Dolan ownership, and really, who could have blamed the fans?
There are no guarantees that no matter what the blueprint the front office laid out is, this team will contend in 2012 or 2013.
You have to take advantage of your record and try to stay in the race.
That doesn’t mean trading top flight prospects, but it does mean not settling with has become a bench that may be among the game’s worst.
With Shin-Soo Choo likely out for 6-8 weeks, and with Grady Sizemore continuing to struggle, the Indians need to look internally for more offense.
The starting pitching has been solid for the most part and if they can take a lead into the late innings, they have benefited by having one of the best relief corps in the game behind them.
Hopefully, Chisenhall is the first of a few young players making the trek up I-71 to Cleveland. Anybody who has shown an ability to hit would be welcome.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 