The Detroit Tigers have made the AL Central Division race a runaway, winning 12 games in a row, and 26 of their last 33 games.
Even if the Indians had split the six games against the Motor City Kitties instead of losing all six, it still wouldn’t be a race.
That means it is time to start looking at next season, once again, for the Indians’ front office.
And they should not be taking the conservative route in terms of their off-season moves.
Really, they can’t do that anyway. After making the deal for Ubaldo Jimenez at the July 31st trade deadline, the front office signaled they are in a win now mode.
By making that deal, the organization has to follow-up by improving what has become a .500 team, and make it into a team that can get to the 90 win level in 2012.
First of all, that means increasing the budget for player salaries. Because of the early success of this year’s team, attendance will be over a half million more than expected by management at the beginning of the season.
Therefore, fans should be spared all of the rhetoric about the payroll being tied to the number of fans who enter Progressive Field.
While we can all debate whether or not Jimenez is a number one starter, now that he is here and under Cleveland’s control through 2013, you have to build a team that can win while he is here.
Still, there are tough decisions for GM Chris Antonetti and president Mark Shapiro.
They have to decide what to do with Grady Sizemore and his $8.5 million option for next season. Sizemore produced in 2009, although not at the level he showed in the past, but the last two seasons have been washouts.
Injuries are the biggest cause for Sizemore’s problems, but when he has been healthy, he hasn’t done the job. His swing has more holes than a screen door, and there doesn’t seem to be any change in his approach.
The centerfielder’s batting average is down to .223 and he has struck out a whopping 82 times in 276 plate appearances. When he makes contact, he can drive the ball, as evidenced by his 32 extra base hits, which still ranks 4th on the team.
However, another thing to look at is that Sizemore hits left-handed and the Tribe figures to start two other outfielders that bat the same way in Michael Brantley and Shin-Soo Choo.
There is no question that this team needs someone who can provide some pop from the right side, and having available the cash from turning down Sizemore’s option would help in that regard.
The Indians also need to get another solid starting pitcher, because even including Josh Tomlin, the Tribe only has three reliable starters, and that includes Jimenez.
There are plenty of options available, but none can be considered proven commodities. Fausto Carmona simply can no longer be counted on every fifth day.
Since Shapiro took over for John Hart, he has stressed a pitching rich approach, and when you think about it, Cleveland has produced two Cy Young Award winners in his tenure.
Still, you have to score runs to get to the playoffs, and the Indians need to do better in that area. This is where the team needs to spend money.
Want proof? Oakland, Seattle, Chicago, and Los Angeles all are among the teams with staff ERA’s under 4.00, and only the Angels have a chance at the post-season.
Trading for Ubaldo Jimenez is setting the tone for the next two seasons. Ownership cannot make that trade and spend the winter not doing what is needed to win the division in 2012.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 