The Indians hitters continued their month long slump this weekend, dropping two out of three against the Twins in a series where Minnesota could have been removed from the pennant race.  Tribe bats have produced three runs or more just twice in the first seven games of this home stand, which ends with a three game set against the Rangers this week.  Since the team isn’t producing offensively, Eric Wedge’s moves are coming under a little more scrutiny, and there were some curious moves this weekend.

 

Let’s start on Saturday night.  Johan Santana no-hit Cleveland for the first 5-2/3 innings, leading 2-0.  But, Travis Hafner reached the two time Cy Young Award winner for a two run blast to knot the game at 2.  That’s when the weird moves began.

 

Wedge pinch hit Kenny Lofton for Josh Barfield to lead off the eighth inning.  He was leading off the inning so there was no one on base.  Lofton made an out so he was wasted.  Since Mike Rouse had to enter the game defensively, Wedge lost his only pinch running option late in a game.  Had Victor Martinez, Hafner, or Ryan Garko reached in the ninth, only Trot Nixon or Kelly Shoppach were available to pinch run.  However, a bigger gaffe was the decision to not use Rafael Betancourt to pitch the ninth.  Even though Joe Borowski is the Tribe closer, Betancourt is their best reliever, and Wedge lost a one run game late because he refused to use his best option out of the bullpen.

 

Betancourt was rested too.  He had not pitched since Tuesday night against Boston.  It was another example of a manager not using his best option because you are supposed to use your closer in a tie game in the ninth at home because there will be no save chance.  The reason is that normally the closer is the team’s best reliever.  That’s not the case for the 2007 Cleveland Indians. 

 

On Sunday, Wedge left his best defensive right fielder on the bench in the eighth inning of a 1-0 game and it cost him when Mike Redmond hit a C.C. Sabathia pitch over Trot Nixon’s head to tie the game.  If your team is based on pitching and defense, why not have Franklin Gutierrez in the game in the late innings.  This is also my problem with the Lofton trade.  The problem on offense is not LF, where Jason Michaels, Gutierrez, and Ben Francisco did a decent job, it’s right field.  It appears Nixon will continue to play there while Gutierrez loses at bats.  The youngster has four more home runs and only 14 less RBI despite getting almost 175 less at bats.  The bigger improvement in the attack would come from replacing Nixon with Lofton.

 

The trading deadline is less than 48 hours away, and the Tribe still needs another relief pitcher and a utility infielder.  They also need to clear a spot on the 40 man roster if lefty Aaron Laffey is going to start on Saturday.  In the meanwhile, they are wasting a roster spot on Fernando Cabrera who is a ten run man, only pitching when the Tribe is up or down by that many runs.  I have a feeling another deal is in the offing, this one to assist the bullpen.  The biggest thing though is the Tribe needs to start winning again.  The Tigers aren’t going to keep struggling, and the Mariners and Yankees are playing well.

 

MW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dallas Morning News and the Plain Dealer have reported the Tribe has obtained Kenny Lofton from the Rangers for minor league catcher Max Ramirez.  See  previous blog for opinion on getting Lofton.  Hopefully, his third go round with the Indians is the charm.

 

MW

 

The Cleveland Indians are 8-11 since their six game winning streak ended in Detroit on July 4th.  They likely will be starting a rookie next week against the Rangers in Aaron Laffey, who will replace Cliff Lee in the rotation.  The best hitter the past three seasons, Travis Hafner, is in a slump that has lasted three months.  The New York Yankees will win the conclusion of a suspended game today to close within four games of the Tribe in the wild card race.  Even an optimist like me is getting concerned.

 

I am not a big critic of managers, and I particularly don’t like second guessing.  I watched last night’s game and there would have been no way I would have let Lee take the mound to start the fifth inning.  The score at the time was 4-1, Boston.  Lee had walked the first two hitters in the fourth, and was lucky Josh Barfield made a great stop on Julio Lugo’s bullet or it would have been 6-1.  Jason Stanford has not pitched in long relief in a while, so why not replace Lee down only three runs and your team still in the ballgame.  Three hits, a walk, and an error later, the score was 7-1, and the Red Sox extended the lead to 9-1 by the end of the fifth, thus putting the game out of reach.

 

Now, I understand that Stanford could have gotten bombed, and I know the Indians put the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the inning.  But the skipper put the importance of getting innings out of his starter ahead of winning the game.  After losing two out of three to start the series, the Tribe needed to get a split.  Sending a struggling Lee out there was not the correct decision.

 

Look at the upcoming schedule.  After this homestand concludes with three against the Twins and Rangers, the Tribe hits the road for four more with the Twins and three against the White Sox.  Then the Yankees and Tigers come to town.  No breathers there.  The club needs to pick it up if they want to remain as a leader in the playoff derby. 

 

It’s quite obvious that Franklin Gutierrez should be in the lineup everyday.  With dingers the last two nights, he now has seven for the season, or the total that David Dellucci and Trot Nixon have contributed, combined.  He’s also hitting over .300, although he has just a little over 100 at bats.  

 

More on the Tribe offense.  This team has developed patience.  They work counts, and most starting pitchers cannot make it through seven innings because this team makes them throw many pitches.  It’s a trademark of a good offensive team.  The Yankees of the late 90’s excelled in this area.  The Cleveland hitters must take the next step, though.  That would be to execute when the extra base hits aren’t coming.  That means hitting behind the runners and making contact to score runs with outs.  That’s what the Tigers do, and the Red Sox as well.  This will continue to be an inconsistent attack until that occurs.

 

The trading deadline is just a few days away.  If getting a relief pitcher like Octavio Dotel costs you a Ben Francisco, I think you have to do it.  A one-two pitching punch like Sabathia and Carmona is something the Indians haven’t had going into the post season since 1954.  If they can get there, those two guys could make it a lengthy trip.

 

KM

 

 

 

 

 

The Indians are scuffling coming out of the All Star break, going just 6-6 in the twelve games played since the Mid-Summer Classic in San Francisco.  We remain just 1-1/2 games behind the Tigers in the Central Division, and since the Mariners and Twins are struggling as well, they’ve increased their lead in the Wild Card to three over the Mariners.  However, look who’s charging…The Yankees have closed to within 4-1/2 games of the Tribe in their effort to make the post season yet again.

 

Last night, the team wasted a very good outing by C.C. Sabathia, losing to Boston 1-0.  The big lefty allowed just one run in seven innings, and that was on a flyball to left that should have been caught by Ben Francisco, but instead was a two out single by Mike Lowell.  The Tribe had opportunities, but Grady Sizemore was thrown out at third on a grounder to short in the first, and in the fourth after Ryan Garko led off with a double, Jhonny Peralta swung at the first pitch and grounded to short, not moving the runner.  These are the lack of fundamentals that drive fans crazy, and costs the ballclub in close games.  Of course, most of the fans at Fenway Park West, I mean Jacobs Field, blame Eric Wedge for this.  But, both Sizemore and Peralta know better.

 

The truth is the Tribe hasn’t hit since the break.  Outside of the red hot Garko, Victor Martinez, and Franklin Gutierrez,  the offense is not producing.  Check out these stats since July 13th: 

 

Grady Sizemore   12 for 51

Travis Hafner       10 for 45

Josh Barfield          8 for 39

Ben Francisco         2 for 16

Casey Blake         12 for 49

Jhonny Peralta      12 for 42, but just one extra base hit

Trot Nixon              7 for 25, but just one extra base hit

 

Since the starting pitching is on a downward turn, it’s more important than ever that the hitting produces.  That becomes problematic when 2/3’s of the line up isn’t hitting.  And when you aren’t hitting, you can’t run yourselves out of potential rallies, either.  Based on track records, some of these guys will get hot, but Nixon hasn’t hit since the middle of May, and Hafner has been in a funk since May 1st.  When Eric Wedge goes to his bench to rest one of his infielders, he gets a worse hitter in Mike Rouse, so there’s no relief there.

 

With two more against Boston and Minnesota coming in, the Indians have five more games against teams with very good pitching.  Again, the pressure on Sabathia and Carmona to pitch great is increasing, and it gets even worse with the lack of runs being scored. If the Tribe can start winning again, they could put the Twins out of the mix after this weekend. 

 

KM

 

 

 

 

With the Cleveland Indians visiting the Texas Rangers this weekend, there was plenty of discussion on whether or not the Tribe should be interested in former Indian and current Ranger CF Kenny Lofton.  With the injuries to David Dellucci and Shin-Soo Choo, and the lack of production from Trot Nixon, the ballclub needs some more offense from the outfield.  Would Lofton provide it?  Or would another option be more desirable?

 

First of all, if the Indians traded for the man who patrolled the middle of the outfield at Jacobs Field a decade ago, Eric Wedge is not going to move Grady Sizemore down in the order and hit Lofton leadoff.  More than likely, the former Arizona basketball standout would bat second, eighth, or ninth in the lineup.  The Indians need more of a middle of the order stick than another guy who can get on base.  Among the players manning the corner outfield spots for the Tribe, Franklin Gutierrez has the most homers with five.  Nixon and Ben Francisco both have three, and the latter has forty big league at bats.

 

At this stage of his career, Lofton is a platoon player.  Against right handers, he is hitting .325 with a 876 OPS, against southpaws, he is a .200 hitter with an OPS under 600.  He also cannot play RF because of his below average arm, which would force Dellucci to that spot when he returns, and he’s not going to win any Gold Gloves either.  That’s assuming Nixon would be the guy who would ultimately be replaced. 

 

I think a healthy Choo is a better option than Lofton, and you wouldn’t have to trade a prospect to get him.  Choo is a better defensive outfielder, and can play right better than Nixon.  He had an 846 OPS after coming up to the Tribe in late July last season, showing patience and some pop at the plate.  Plus, he will be better with experience.  According to reports, Choo will be resuming baseball activities in five to seven days after suffering an elbow injury.  He would be able to hit sixth or seventh in the order, providing support for the middle of the lineup.

 

With all of the hoopla surrounding the Tigers after the All Star break, they did sweep one of the ESPN darling franchises, the Red Sox, after all, you would think the race in the Central Division was over.  But, here is the Tribe sitting just one game off the pace set by Detroit.  Really, when you think about it, the only hitter having a career year for the Tribe is Victor Martinez.  The rest of the lineup is performing at their usual standards or below.  They need other starting pitchers to pick up the pace, though.

 

Cliff Lee continued his struggles on Saturday, allowing five runs in the first.  Jake Westbrook tries to get his act together tonight in the series opener against Boston.  Until others get going, the pressure on C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona to win is enormous, they can’t afford to lose.  Still, this team is just one game behind the Tigers not only for the division lead, but for the best record in the American League.  However, a tough home stand this week looms with the Red Sox and Twins coming in.

 

Here’s hoping the Indians continue to play well against the better teams, and the Jacobs Field magic keeps going.  And remember, the trading deadline is eight days away.

 

MW

 

 

A new problem has been creeping up on the Cleveland Indians.  The pitching problem that started in the bullpen is spreading to the starting rotation.  Since July 4th, the Tribe’s only reliable starter has been Fausto Carmona, who has thrown two solid games in that span.  The rest of the rotation, including C.C. Sabathia have been shaky. 

 

The two hurlers who need to get straightened out, and quickly are Cliff Lee and Jake Westbrook.  Lee’s last two starts have been ruined by the big inning.  Against Toronto, he allowed four runs in the second, and against the White Sox, it was a nine run sixth that did him in.  He has been bothered by an inability to get ahead in the count.  In both cases, the lefty was out of the game by the end of the sixth inning.  For a ballclub that requires quality innings by its starters, these types of performances don’t wash.

 

It has to be concerning to the front office that they will be paying Jake Westbrook over $10 million per year for the next three years based on his performance in 2007.  The right hander is now 1-5 on the season.  I realize he started slow last year as well before turning it around to finish 15-10.  Westbrook’s last three outings are not those of a team’s #3 starter.  First was his usual pasting by the Tigers, followed up by a game where he kept the Tribe in it against Kansas City, although he walked five in six innings.  That was followed by a disappointing game against Chicago, where he allowed four runs in six innings. 

 

Even Sabathia has struggled, although he does lead the majors in wins after last night’s 7-5 victory at Texas.  The lefty is now 13-4 for the season.  C.C. has allowed 17 runs in his last 17 frames, and has started to give up home runs in key situations and also is giving runs back after the offense puts up a big inning.  Hopefully, the heavy use given to Sabathia in the early going this season isn’t affecting his game.  The southpaw is on his way to a career high in innings pitched.

 

Paul Byrd pitched an outstanding game against the Blue Jays in the last game prior to the All Star break, although he didn’t get the win.  However, the veteran righty lost it quick Tuesday night against the White Sox.  After pitching four scoreless innings and having a 2-0 lead, Byrd gave up four runs in the fifth and sixth.  That was the only game the Tribe salvaged in the series, tying the game on a two run homer by Ryan Garko, and then winning on Garko’s hit in the 11th.

 

It would be nice for the ballclub to have an 8-1 victory every once in a while, but right now the starters are having problems holding up their end of the deal.  A blow out win saves the bullpen, as Eric Wedge can use guys like Tom Mastny, Jensen Lewis, and Jason Stanford in the late innings instead of having to use Rafael Perez, Rafael Betancourt, and Joe Borowski.  In the last three weeks, the latter group have had to pitch in every game the Tribe has won.  That kind of usage could take its toll as the team heads down the stretch.  It’s up to the rotation to pick it up and give the Indians quality outings.

 

KM

 

 

After the Cavaliers apparently tried to get into the NBA draft at the end of June, and although the team has only been slightly involved in the free agent rumors, the wine and gold continue to be in the news.  It looks as though GM Danny Ferry rekindled talks to deal for Sacramento guard Mike Bibby, with the Cavs reportedly giving up forward Drew Gooden and guard Damon Jones.  A third team was needed to make this happen, but supposedly San Antonio was that team, and it backed out, making a trade with Houston instead.

 

What’s next?  One of the free agents Ferry was interested in was Steve Blake, but the former Maryland star signed with the Trailblazers last week.  This gives Portland depth at the point.  They currently have Blake, Sergio Rodriguez, and last year’s starter, Jarret Jack.  I liked Jack in his college career at Georgia Tech, and it would be a good move by the Cavs to deal for him.  He has size (6’3"), can penetrate, and can defend.  He’s also only in his third year in the NBA, so he’s still young.  He also led the Yellow Jackets to the Final Four while in college. 

 

Reports have the Cavs giving up Sasha Pavlovic and Jones in a transaction to bring Jack to Cleveland.  Although Pavlovic impressed many this season, he still has ups and downs as a player.  He disappears for long periods of times in games, and even though he makes athletic moves to get to the basket, he has had problems finishing.   He is far from a finished product at just 23 years old, but is he really a starter on a great team?  If Ferry and Mike Brown have doubts, perhaps this is the deal they should consider.

 

Besides, the Cavs have other options at the shooting guard spot.  Daniel Gibson’s best spot is there, although at his size and with Brown’s emphasis on defense, he probably not a starter there.  The first shot at getting Pavlovic’s starting spot would probably go last year’s first round pick, Shannon Brown.  Brown played well in the NBA Summer League the past two weeks, showing the same style of play he flashed in college at Michigan State.   

 

What is obvious is that it is very likely last year was Jones last season wearing the wine and gold.  Pretty much every trade rumor involving the Cavs includes Jones, who wasn’t happy with his lack of playing time last winter.  Jones can still shoot, but his one dimensional game makes him a poor fit in the coach’s system.  The team is also shopping Gooden, mostly because of his inconsistency and inability to defend the pick and roll to Brown’s satisfaction.  A deal involving Gooden would make resigning Anderson Varajao a must.

 

What is promising is that the Cavs’ front office is not sitting on their laurels.  They recognize this team is far from perfect, and they understand upgrades must be made to get back to The Finals and win their first title.  An offensive coach and system will hopefully be part of the tinkering as well.

 

JK

 

The Cleveland Indians started the second half by following the mantra of their skipper, Eric Wedge, that is win series.  The Tribe took two of three against the Royals and now enter a three game set against the White Sox just a half game behind the Tigers and two games ahead of Seattle in the wild card race.  The Indians are just one game behind the Red Sox and Angels for the best record in the AL.  Amazingly, the game the Tribe lost against Kansas City was with its ace, C.C. Sabathia on the hill.

 

The three game set featured a great series by Ryan Garko.  Garko had the game winning single in the ninth Friday night, hit a two run homer to bring the home team within a run at 5-4 on Saturday, and belted another dinger yesterday in a 5-3 victory.  Garko is now batting over .300 with 11 HR’s on the season.  Which makes one wonder why he is batting sixth behind Jhonny Peralta in the lineup.  I realize Garko sits when Paul Byrd pitches, with Victor Martinez playing first and Kelly Shoppach behind the dish, but he is a better contact man than the shortstop.  In fact, I was shocked than KC manager Buddy Bell walked Peralta intentionally Friday night to get to Garko with the game on the line.

 

I am convinced that the Indians won’t be an elite offensive team until they can upgrade the 5th spot in the order.  And yes, I know they rank second in the AL in scoring.  This is not a knock on Peralta, but he is not in the same class as a guy like Carlos Guillen with Detroit or Justin Morneau with the Twins.  He’s not really a power hitter, although he will hit 25 homers this year, nor is he a classic RBI guy.  The reason is two fold.  First, he strikes out way too much, and he is vulnerable to the breaking ball.  Yesterday, STO’s Jim Donovan pointed out that the Tribe SS swung and missed six times in a game!  Peralta is a solid player, and has rebounded from last season’s disaster, but wouldn’t you feel better about the lineup if was hitting sixth or seventh?

 

It has been reported that Eric Wedge has joined the wheel of contract extensions by signing a three year deal.  Many would say the team should wait until the end of the year to see if the ballclub qualifies for the post season, but with the core players pretty much being signed for the future, it only seems right that the skipper will go along for the ride.  Although Wedge’s strategy comes into question at times as all managers’ do, his game to game approach is a good one.  When you think about it, each game is a different one, and should be treated as such.

 

Another thing to watch is the performance of Casey Blake.  Blake has had a solid season, but it seems like he’s remembered that he’s Casey Blake.  He’s hitting just .235 over the last month, and Saturday night made a terrible decision and throw which cost his team a run.  For all of the talk of him being reliable and a heady player, the evidence against this notion is growing.  His success rate on steals is deplorable, and he has a history of not hitting in the clutch.  He also makes a lot of tough plays defensively, but will blow the routine one.  He’s a average player, that’s all.  The Tribe might just need more going forward.  Unfortunately, the organization (or maybe the manager) has given up on Andy Marte.

 

With three with the White Sox and four with the Rangers coming up, the Tribe has to beat up the below .500 teams, because there aren’t many games remaining against those types of teams.  Following those series, the Indians take on the Red Sox and the Twins.  The schedule doesn’t get easier heading down the stretch either.  Also, don’t forget the trading deadline is just 15 days away…

 

MW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The signing of DH Travis Hafner to a four year contract extension means the Dolan ownership has now inked two of the key players who were about to test free agency in 2007 and 2008.  Only the most ardent critic of the spending habits of the Tribe ownership can still be disgruntled.  However, it typical "woe is us" fashion, there still are people who won’t be happy unless the Indians extend a huge offer to keep C.C. Sabathia here for a long time. 

 

At the beginning of the season, we wrote that the Indians had three great players:  Hafner, Sabathia, and Grady Sizemore.  Certainly with his season this year, you can put Victor Martinez in that class as well.  Ownership has tied up three of those guys through 2010, with Hafner and Sizemore inked through 2012.  This means the Tribe’s three best hitters will be in the lineup for three years after this one.  What more can the fans ask for?  The name of the game is keeping your great players, and certainly ownership has done that.

 

With the year Sabathia is having, he would be a fool to sign a contract extension now or after this season for that matter.  If he puts up 20 wins this season, he puts himself into a new stratosphere altogether.  Don’t be surprised if he goes through 2008 without a new deal in place and tests the market.  He also will likely wait and see what happens with Johan Santana and the Twins before signing, because with another big year next season (which helps the Indians, by the way), he will be worth just slightly less than the Minnesota southpaw. 

 

As for Hafner, I’m convinced his first half performance is an aberration and he will put together big numbers in the second half.  Remember, he still has 57 RBIs in spite of his troubles, and he still leads the AL in walks.  I think he got out of sync because he was getting pitched around early in the year, and he expanded his strike zone.  The past few weeks he have started to see glimpses of the old Hafner, he even hit one out in Detroit to left center against a lefty.  He likely will still end the year with 30 HR and over 100 RBI, an excellent year by any standard.

 

Everyone complained that the Dolans would not pay any one player over $10 million per year.  That myth has been debunked with the Westbrook and Hafner signing.  Now, the critics will ask if they will pay anyone $15 million per season, which they will probably have to do to keep C.C. in the fold.  Here a possible scenario for you to chew on.  After the 2008 season, let’s say Adam Miller has established himself as a major league starter.  GM Mark Shapiro could afford to deal Westbrook for prospects, freeing up over $10 million per year to use to keep Sabathia.  Thus, inking the big lefty to an $18 million deal would only cost the ballclub an additional $8 million per year.  That’s the beauty of having a productive farm system.

 

This team will be together for the long haul, the key pieces all in place (except for Sabathia) through 2012.  The front office and the ownership have done their job.  Now it’s up to the players to do it on the field, and fans to show up and watch a contending team with a promising future as well.

 

KM

 

 

 

 

The Cleveland Browns start training camp at the end of this month, and even though they haven’t played a game in seven months, there is a debate as to who will start the opener at quarterback for the team against the Steelers.  It would behoove Romeo Crennel to make that decision early in camp, preferably after the second exhibition game, so whoever it is can gain some continuity with the rest of the first unit.

 

The candidates are veterans Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, and rookie first round pick Brady Quinn.  It would be in the rookie’s best interest not to be thrown to the fire right away, so privately the coaching staff is hoping the former Notre Dame star holds out, so they can justify to the fans why he’s not a candidate to start.  They will tell everybody that Quinn simply missed too much camp time to be a viable starter. 

 

Quinn’s agents are going to use the tactic that since he was a top 5 pick on most draft boards, including the Browns, he should be paid like a top five pick.  Unfortunately, the truth is, he was the 22nd pick, and the Browns will try to slot Quinn’s deal around the same as last year’s 22nd choice.  This difference of opinion will likely lead to the former Irish signal caller not being in camp on time.  At best, he will get into the training facility just prior to the first exhibition, er, pre-season game.

 

That leaves the two veterans with little experience.  By all reports, Anderson has looked better in the mini camps, probably because he has a stronger arm and a quicker release.  Remember, the offensive line protected better last year when Anderson was in there because they knew where he was, in the pocket.  Frye’s mobility backfired when he ran himself into sacks at times.  The former Akron QB also seems to lock in on Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr., which helps the defense cheat on those two targets.  Anderson seemed to find Joe Jurevicius more than his counterpart, a good thing since Jurevicius has the best hands on the team.

 

This has the potential to be a real quarterback derby, not the usual staged ones.  You know, the ones where the head coach has already predetermined the starter, but talks as if he hasn’t.  It is in Romeo Crennel’s best interest to play the guy who is playing the best.  If that’s Anderson, I have no doubts that he will start against Pittsburgh.  However wins the job has to hit the ground running, because if the Browns don’t get off to a good start, the crowd will start to call for Quinn.  The longer the veteran plays well, the more the rookie can sit, watch, and most importantly learn. 

 

The pre-season will mean much for the 2007 Cleveland Browns.  For Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, it will be put up or shut up time.

 

JD