The Cleveland Indians will clinch the American League Central Division title sometime this week, but right now they look like a team running on fumes.
Several of the everyday players look to need a few days off, most notably MVP candidate Jose Ramirez, who over the last month is hitting just .172 with one home run and a 572 OPS.
Over the same time frame, Yonder Alonso is batting .187, also with a pair of dingers and a 542 OPS.
Even Francisco Lindor’s numbers have dropped off. He has a .255 batting average and five homers, but his OPS is just 703.
Are these just slumps, or have the dog days of August set in, with the fatigue that goes with playing everyday in a summer where the temperatures have been high?
In the case of Lindor and Ramirez, both young players at 24 and 25 (for now, Ramirez turns 26 in less than a week), it could be that they are tired, both having played everyday (Lindor 141 games, Ramirez 140 out of a possible 142).
To be sure, neither player wants to sit out. Their attitude is to go out everyday and compete, and that is a very noble thing to want to do.
However, we noticed yesterday that Erik Gonzalez has been on the 25 man roster the entire season, and has just 129 plate appearances, striking us incredibly low for someone here all season.
While Gonzalez has put up a .285 batting average and a 716 OPS to date, we feel his lack of strike zone judgment (32 strikeouts to 5 walks) would be exposed if was in the lineup more often.
Should he or a perhaps more productive utility player get more at bats during the regular season to give Lindor and Ramirez some rest to keep them fresh for the stretch drive?
We understand the Tribe was caught in a tough place with Gonzalez, as he was out of options coming into the season. Typically, young players have a problem with a bench role, although considering his limited playing time, he has done well.
The point is it is obvious that Terry Francona isn’t comfortable putting his name in the lineup. And it’s easier for sure to write Lindor and Ramirez on the card.
This year is a luxury, the Tribe is cruising to a post-season berth. But what if the Twins were hot and were cutting into the lead on a weekly basis? Having a third of your everyday players, particularly on a top heavy offense, slumping isn’t good.
On the other hand, perhaps Ramirez’ struggles are a result of being too pull happy and a little too conscious of his home run total. Opposing teams are using extreme shifts against him, and when he came to the majors he was a player who used all fields.
Alonso’s troubles could be strictly from losing his strike zone judgment. His walk rate is at 8.7% this season, compared to 13.1% a year ago. And he is striking out at the highest rate of his career.
It appears the first baseman has played himself into a platoon role for the post-season, with either Yandy Diaz or Edwin Encarnacion with someone else being the designated hitter.
There are 25 men on a roster, and why not use all of them. Especially to keep players fresh over the long six month season.
Hopefully the rest they will get after the Indians clinch will be enough for October.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 