We are sure that Chris Antonetti and GM Mike Chernoff thought they took care of the Indians’ bullpen issues when they dealt Francisco Mejia, the organization’s best prospect, to the San Diego Padres for Brad Hand and Adam Cimber.
Both pitchers coming to Cleveland will be under control for several years, important because of the impending free agency of Andrew Miller and Cody Allen.
Since the deal, Neil Ramirez, who helped stabilize the bullpen since the end of May, went belly up, with a 7.30 ERA and five home runs allowed in 12-1/3 innings since the all star break.
When the deal was made, it was thought or hoped that Ramirez could be a bridge to the big three of Miller, Hand, and Allen, pitching in the 6th inning or perhaps earlier. His sudden ineffectiveness ended that plan.
Allen has also struggled giving up the long ball in the second half, allowing five homers in 16-1/3 frames, compared to six allowed in 38 innings before the Midsummer Classic.
The Indians’ all time save leader is showing signs of wear and tear. His strikeouts per nine innings is at a career low (10.5 compared to career total of 11.5). His walk ratio is at a career high, except for his rookie year (3.9 to 3.4).
His home run ratio per nine is at 1.8, compared to 1.0 for his career.
Let us remind you that walks and home runs are the worst thing a relief pitcher can allow.
Allen looks like he could use 7-10 days off to rejuvenate from carrying a very heavy workload, as he was the only reliable option in the bullpen for awhile when Miller got hurt and before Oliver Perez arrived and Ramirez emerged.
The problem for Terry Francona is that right now he doesn’t have an alternative to Allen on the roster.
The Tribe has four right-handed relievers currently on the team: Allen, Cimber, Dan Otero, and Josh Tomlin. Cimber is a situational righty, a sidearmer who is solid against right handed hitters, allowing a .240 batting average. Lefties hit .306 and have an 1.050 OPS against him.
That makes him not a viable option to pitch an entire inning most nights.
Otero has been mediocre at best this season, with his own problems with the long ball, allowing 11 circuit clouts in 49 innings. His previous career high was seven in his last year in Oakland, 2015.
We are sure Francona does not want to bring him into a game in the late innings with a one or two run lead. His role is to soak up innings when the Tribe is behind or in need of someone in the 5th inning or earlier.
As for Tomlin? He’s the long/mop up man right now.
So, right now there is no alternative to using Allen, which if he does need a little time off, doesn’t help him.
With Miller going back on the disabled list with a shoulder issue, Tito may feel the need to lean on Allen even more. With the AL Central Division all but clinched, he should be working on developing an alternative.
Either that, or the front office needs to find another relief arm before September 1st.
It seems like the bullpen story this season is one problem gets fixed and another one crops up.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 