A Lot Of Success, But Guardians Have To Cash In (Sometime)

The Cleveland Guardians start their quest for their first World Championship since 1948 next Saturday, likely hosting the winner of the Wild Card Series matchup between the Astros and Tigers.

The first two games are at Progressive Field.

If you grew up in the sixties and seventies, when Cleveland baseball was largely a losing proposition, it might surprise you that the Indians/Guardians (and Blues, Naps, etc.) have the 7th highest winning percentage among the current Major League teams.

And if you limit this to current American League franchises, Cleveland is third, behind only the behemoths of the East, New York and Boston.

Among those top ten records, one thing sticks out, the number of world titles. Cleveland has the least with just two, ironically the only other team in this group with less than four titles is the club the Indians lost to in 2016, the Cubs have just three.

The franchise has won only six pennants, half of them coming in the last 30 years. Again, the regular season record is very good, but the A’s (15), Tigers (11) and the Orioles (7) have both won more American League championships, and remember, the Orioles were the lowly St. Louis Browns until 1955, and they only won once in 1944.

The White Sox and Twins have equaled the six pennants won by Cleveland, so they are actually tied for the least success achieved by the original members of the Junior Circuit.

This will be the 17th post-season appearance for the franchise, ranking behind New York (58), Oakland (29), Boston (25), Houston and Minnesota (each with 18, although it must be noted the Astros made the NL playoffs before coming over to the AL in 2013).

They have made the playoffs eight times in the AL, winning two World Series.

What is the point of rehashing a somewhat sad story?

It’s that it is time for the Guardians to cash in one.

We have heard about all the success in the wild card era, the Jacobs/Progressive Field era if you will. Fourteen post-season appearances in that span, 12 AL Central Division titles.

In that span, only the Yankees and Red Sox have made the playoffs more often, but they have each won multiple World Series.

Cleveland has dominated the division. Minnesota has won the second most division titles with nine, while the Tigers and White Sox have each won four and the Royals taking the crown just once.

But the White Sox and Royals each won the Series, Chicago winning in 2005 and Kansas City ten years later.

Minnesota has had trouble winning in the post-season recently, but most of their fans remember and celebrate their two World Series victories in 1987 and 1991.

It hasn’t been 76 years like it has for Cleveland baseball fans, but it has now been 40 years since the Tigers won their last Series in 1984.

The point is for all the success Cleveland has had since 1995; they need to cash in with a title. There was a discussion on social media about what franchise you would like to have as a fan over the last 50 years and Kansas City was an option.

Most fans selected the Royals because even though they have had some valleys, 17 seasons of 90 or more losses since 1992, they have the 1985 and 2015 World Series winners.

Yes, baseball is a sport that has a potentially volatile post-season, meaning any team that gets in the playoffs has a chance to win the world title. We’ve seen a few teams with less than 90 wins win it.

Heck, the 1997 Indians only won 86 games, and made it to game 7 of the Fall Classic.

So, we get the argument (and we’ve made it) to just get in and you have a shot. But what is missing from perhaps the best 30 year stretch of baseball in Cleveland?

1948 still rings in our ears.

No Conversations About Baseball Doesn’t Help It Grow.

It used to be said that baseball was the one sport that had no off season. It was talked about all year long. That’s why the term “hot stove league” was started, to describe the part of the year where the game wasn’t being played, but trades were being discussed and free agents were being signed.

That’s not true now. Other sports have gotten wise to this and have extended the relevance of their games during the periods where the action isn’t on the field.

Heck, in Cleveland, the sports talk shows discuss the Browns 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If your team isn’t playoff caliber, the draft talk starts during the season, as soon as it is evident the playoffs aren’t the goal.

You also have mini-camps and the beginning of training camp. Really, the only dead time for football is the period after the draft until the end of July.

In the NBA, as soon as the playoffs end, usually in the middle of June, you have the draft right after, and then in early July comes the free agency period, and there is a flurry of trades that go along with that as well. Once that ends, basketball kind of hibernates until training camp starts in September.

However, right now, baseball has gone silent because the owners have decided on a lockout to apparently try and break the strongest union in professional sports. So, instead of trade rumors and speculation on where free agents will sign and for what kind of money, we get nothing.

Baseball has disappeared from the sports consciousness, and if the parties can’t come to an agreement, apathy will set in. And for a sport waning in popularity over the last couple of decades, that’s suicidal.

It is easy for writers and broadcasters to side with the owners, because the players job is “playing”, something every kid who likes sports grew up wanting to do.

We side with the players though. Why? Because they are the product. No one goes to Progressive Field to see Paul Dolan own the Guardians. Fans buy tickets to watch baseball, and baseball is played by players.

Unfortunately, it appears the two sides don’t seem to want to get to the bargaining table to work out the differences any time soon.

We are sure the owners figure as long the new CBA is in place by spring training, then everything is fine, but in the meantime, there is no talk about baseball. The game is out of the sports point of view.

Meanwhile, the NBA has its slate of Christmas games, the league will be on TV all day. The NFL is coming down the stretch of its regular season, and there are plenty of games that affect the playoff landscape.

It seems odd that a tactic in trying to grow your sport is taking it out of the public’s eye. As Pepper Brook in Dodgeball said “it seems like a bold strategy”.

Rob Manfred and his owner friends will tell you they are trying to save baseball, but really, they are trying to kill it. Odd, because it makes all of them a boatload of cash. And yes, more cash than any player makes.

First Step To Help Guardians’ Attendance? Have Fun!

The Cleveland Guardians’ organization is very good in soliciting opinions. As a former season ticket holder (we guess), we are on their mailing list and we get surveys all the time regarding our feelings, usually about the experience at Progressive Field.

We have a confession too. We are probably not the demographic they really want to hear from. At the end of each questionnaire, we are asked for our age. Let’s just say, our favorite player growing up was Sudden Sam McDowell, so we bet our answers go into the “he’s get off my lawn” guy file.

We are often critical about the “game experience” at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario, mostly because (we know, this is silly) we go downtown to watch a baseball game.

Most of the surveys have to do with the different types of food or beverages at the ballpark, although recent ones have dealt with the renovations which will occur over the next few years at Progressive Field and the latest had to do with game experience and the franchise name change, a bit late on that one, no?

The attendance for Cleveland baseball spiked under two separate times: The late 90’s when the team was dominant and the Browns did not exist, and the late 1940’s when yes, the franchise won its last World Series (1948) and it was owned by Bill Veeck, who was in touch with things people liked and was willing to take risks.

Many times in sports, the answer is right in front of you.

For instance, the Browns were successful in the late 50’s through 1970 with a running attack led by the great Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly. The current edition of the team is following that path with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (no, we didn’t forget D’Ernest Johnson).

The late 80’s Browns’ defense had two shutdown corners. The current organization is trying to do the same, although it’s a plus having Myles Garrett.

We doubt the Guardians’ front office can put together a lineup with potentially six Hall of Famers (Jim Thome and Eddie Murray are already there, and you can make very good cases for Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, and Omar Vizquel, while Manny Ramirez would be there if not for PEDs), so why not go the Veeck route in an effort to boost attendance.

Veeck spoke to the fans, asked them what they liked and what they didn’t, and then put that into action. Instead of announcing giveaway days and special promotions, he just did them, so fans didn’t know when they showed up if someone special was going to happen or not.

We greeting fans when they arrived and spoke to them as they departed. He was like a host at a party who wanted to make sure everyone had a good time.

We understand Paul Dolan doesn’t seem to be comfortable doing this sort of thing, but he could hire people who can do it.

This is not to say all of the folks who work at Progressive Field are uncaring robots. Many enjoy the people who attend the games, but it has to be universal.

Once you create fun, then allow people to experience it, lower ticket prices, which are among the highest in the sport. Get rid of dynamic ticket prices. Have ticket deals for the times when the weather is less than ideal in Cleveland.

Alternative jerseys? Fans love them, Cleveland hasn’t done this. When was the last time the franchise celebrated a former player by putting them in the team’s Hall of Fame? Those are just simple things? Why doesn’t the organization do them?

We have said it many times over the past few years, there is interest in the major league baseball team here, the television rating show it. Why don’t folks come downtown? That’s what the ownership should be trying to find out?

It’s not rocket science, but it is about fun. Make it fun to attend a Guardians’ game.

Maybe the front office doesn’t know what fun is?

Memories Of One Last Indians’ Game

Saturday night, we made our final trek to Progressive Field to watch the Cleveland Indians. Yes, we know the team isn’t going anywhere, and there will major league baseball on the shores of Lake Erie in 2022, but as we headed down to the ballpark, there was a melancholy feeling here.

We thought about the games we attended as a kid, and joked about taking the rapid downtown from West Park before we were able to drive, something we would never let our kids do today. It was no big deal back then.

Our group talked about where we used to park when the new park first opened and attending World Series games in 1995 and 1997, and reminisced about how we couldn’t believe the Indians, who were mediocre as long as we remembered, finally made it to the Series, something that was just a TV show in October.

We were handed rally towels as we entered Progressive Field that said “Let’s Go Tribe”, curious indeed considering the upcoming name change.

We settled into our seats down the left field line, near the “Home Run Porch”, fine seats indeed. Our friends thanked us for the choice, but we didn’t want to sit in the upper deck for this one.

The ballpark wasn’t really enthusiastic when the game began, and there were many at the game from Chicago, doing the weekend thing of seeing the White Sox and the Bears in our town on the same weekend.

However, Jose Ramirez shot some energy into the crowd with a two run HR in the first, and the “Jose, Jose, Jose” chants were heard all around us. After that, it was more about taking in the atmosphere for our last Indians’ game.

A lot of jerseys were worn by fans, many of them bearing the name of “Lindor”, a symbol to us of an ownership that has never connected with the fans, despite putting a winning team on the field for most of the last eight years.

It was also discussed that the ownership trading the beloved “Chief Wahoo” mascot to get the All Star Game in 2019, and probably dealt the name “Indians” to get the state government to pony up some funds to renovate Progressive Field and extend the lease.

The best throwback jersey we saw was a 1970 pinstriped jersey with the shadow lettering and numerals with #48 on it, the number of our first favorite player, Sam McDowell.

We talked about the surveys the organization sends to fans talking about ticket plans, renovations to Progressive Field, etc. and how no one ever hears from the organization about responses. We laughed about the questions, asking essentially, why we go to the ballpark. Our answer: “to watch a baseball game”.

Sometimes it seems like the organization is looking for a secret answer as to why people don’t come down to the place formerly known as “The Jake”. Sometimes, it’s a simple as talking to fans, real baseball fans, to find out what’s missing. That’s what the great Bill Veeck would do.

As for the new name, we all agreed the ownership could’ve handled it better. They could have picked three or four names and had the fans vote on it, including them in the process. Another way the disconnect could have been narrowed.

It could be part of the problem with the new name is the fans feel it was forced upon them. They had no say.

We looked at the giant scoreboard in behind the left field bleachers with sadness, knowing “Indians” would either be gone or replaced with “Guardians” the next time we were at the park.

At the 7th inning stretch, the crowd seemed to increase the volume when the line “root, root, root for the INDIANS” was reached, seeming to say they weren’t happy with the change.

We walked around the ballpark one last time, knowing there will be big league baseball there in 2022, but also aware the park will look different, with the renovations starting this winter.

Again, we understand why the name was changed in our heads, but that doesn’t mean it hurts our hearts as fans. Memories will still be with the Indians, the Tribe, and the Chief. Heck, every spring, stations play Major League and Major League 2, which of course, feature the Cleveland INDIANS!

So, the name isn’t going to go away. Nor will it be ignored.

The elementary school and church we attended as a kid has changed its name too. But not for the people who attended it. We are sure that’s how it will be for Cleveland baseball fans in the future.

Sad, But True. Last Weekend For The Indians.

With yesterday’s rainout, Monday afternoon will be it for the Cleveland “Indians” playing at Progressive Field. When the 2022 season opens, the script of the team’s name will no longer sit atop the huge scoreboard in leftfield.

Whether it is replaced with “Guardians” remains to be seen, and also as everything else with this franchise currently, probably depends on the cost.

We understand many fans are pissed off about the change, and we get that, but it was inevitable, although it seems like the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Braves’ fans can use a native American war cry at their games without people going crazy.

Some people don’t react well to change. It’s understandable, especially when you are in our age bracket, and you spent your entire life with the baseball team in Cleveland being the Indians.

Chief Wahoo was retired a few years ago, and we can remember in our college days wearing a pullover with the iconic logo on it, and a young woman commenting that they liked the “little dude” on the apparel. To this day, our friends still sometimes refer to Wahoo as the “little dude”.

We understand fans attending the last game (which is now Monday) will receive some sort of memento from the team identifying the event as the last contest in the ballpark with the team being called “Indians”. Perhaps that will be valuable in a few decades.

The loss of the mascot and the name change has driven more of a wedge in the relationship between the fans and the organization, most notably the Dolan ownership. And despite what many on social media tell you, it is on the franchise to repair that rift. Fans don’t have to buy tickets, it’s not a mandatory thing.

Hopefully, this .500 season is the low point of “retooling” of the roster, and the Guardians can be back in the mix for a post-season berth next season. It is somewhat remarkable the run the organization has been on since Terry Francona was hired prior to the 2013 season. This is the first time since then the franchise has not played meaningful games in September.

Winning is important to fans, but attendance has waned despite good teams. The local television ratings are extremely high, so the front office should be challenged with finding out why people watch on TV, but don’t come to the ballpark. That needs correcting and we don’t think it has anything to do with way the edifice is laid out now.

Speaking on that, the end of this season also is the last time Progressive Field will look the way it does right now. The modernization of the now 27 year old facility will begin this season, although it has not been announced what will be the first step.

Even though the time has come for the franchise’s nickname to go away, it doesn’t mean fans don’t have the right to be melancholy about it. For many of us, the names “Indians” and “the Tribe” were part of growing up, it was synonymous with baseball, summertime, and for our age bracket, a lot of losing.

On March 31, 2022, a new era will start at Progressive Field when the Cleveland Guardians takes the field. New traditions will start, and heck, maybe “the Guards” will be what folks will say when they talk about going to Progressive Field.

Make no mistake, it will be strange not to have the Tribe around anymore.

Tribe Agrees To Lease, On To Other Worries

Last week, the Cleveland Indians (Guardians) announced they have extended their lease for 15 additional years, through the 2038 season, with options to extend in five year increments beyond that time.

We were concerned about the extension because of all of the other news surrounding the baseball team over the past few seasons, namely the slashing (note, we didn’t use the word cutting) of the club’s payroll for players, and the departure of minority owner John Sherman, who purchased the Kansas City Royals.

We also found the lack of marketing by the team puzzling over the past few years. It was greeted by many fans as a sign the team would not be staying in Cleveland past the end of the current lease in 2023.

The fact ownership didn’t understand this is par for the course, as they are extremely tone deaf to what the fans want.

As part of the deal, the county and state governments are contributing to renovations and the modernization of Progressive Field, which is now 27 years old, which is hard to believe. And hopefully, one of the renovations is changing the eyesore in the right field upper deck.

Funny how the name change was announced and the government ponied up some money, right?

Seemingly each time the Cleveland payroll is mentioned, a corresponding comment is made by the team, and the supporters of the ownership, about the attendance, which has dropped since 2017’s 2.05 million figure to 1.74 million the last time fans were allowed in the ballpark at full capacity for a full season.

Keep in mind, that 2019 is a higher figure than in any year between 2012-16. So, depending on your perspective, more people are coming to games over the past ten years.

Perhaps one problem the team has is in conjunction with having the second lowest payroll in the sport this season, according to ticketiq.com they have the seventh highest average ticket price. We weren’t a business major in college, but we think it is safe to say if people aren’t buying your product, one reason could be that your price is too high.

Surely, they should realize getting 28,000 people at $40.00 per ticket is better than getting 20,000 paying $50.00 to get in, no?

We have said this many times over the past few years, but there is plenty of interest in northeast Ohio’s major league baseball team, the television ratings show that. However, fans don’t seem to want to go to Progressive Field.

If it were our team, we would be doing research to find out why.

Could be ticket prices or it could be the dynamic seating concept, or it could be things like closing the concession stands after the first game of a twi-night doubleheader, closing souvenir stands right after the game concludes, or having problems getting people inside the park?

How many times do you see a Sunday afternoon crowd trying to get in through the gates while the game in starting? Do they think these people also arrive late at movies so they can deliberately miss the first few minutes?

The good news is the Indians/Guardians will be playing on the corner of Carnegie and Ontario through 2038. Hopefully, the World Series drought hasn’t reached 90 years by then.

Next Year, Go Guardians!

Last Friday, the announcement finally came.

After the Major League Baseball season concludes, the Cleveland Indians will no longer exist, and the team will now be known as the Cleveland Guardians.

We understand this is difficult to accept for a great many fans of the team, folks that thought of the name “Indians” not as a racial slur, but rather the name of their favorite baseball team. There was no malice on the part of most of those people, it was a name they grew up with, the team they cherished as they aged.

These are different times though, and the name was no longer appropriate. The moniker will still be part of the history of the franchise though, and the memories of the players who were Cleveland Indians will always be part of the supporters of the team.

The negative reaction from fans at Progressive Field, booing when the Tom Hanks narrated video was played, could be because of the change or it could also be a reaction to the ownership that made the change. There is no doubt about the disconnect that exists being the public and the Dolan ownership, and frankly, we don’t know if that can ever be repaired.

As for the new name, it’s kind of generic to us. When the new name was announced, it was noted that Guardians reflect the pride, resiliency, and loyalty of people in northeast Ohio. Does it? We don’t know, but we do know it could have been handled better.

Why not make the fans part of the process? Why not pick four or five choices and let the ticket buying public vote on the new name?

That it wasn’t tells us perhaps it was going to be Guardians all along, there was no extensive research done.

As we said, we wouldn’t have went with anything Rock ‘n’ Roll themed either, that has become the only thing our area has become identified with recently, but why not an homage to the past by going with Blues, Blue Sox, or Grays, or even Commodores, since we sit on Lake Erie.

We would have even preferred Spiders, the old National League team name from the late 1800’s, to Guardians.

It also didn’t help that the logo unveiled on Friday looks like a grade school art project. We are sure the team paid a great deal of money to some consultant from out of town to design it, but that can still be changed, and we bet it will be sooner than later.

It could be that even if the current ownership announced the coolest nickname that has ever been chosen, it would be met with negativity. That’s where the majority of this fan base is with the Dolan family. There is a huge disconnect.

Perhaps there isn’t room for a Bill Veeck anymore in today’s game, but we think fans want the owner to be invested in the team, and not just monetarily. They want them to hurt when the team loses, and celebrate when they win.

Instead, they are too corporate. We get that they have to be, but it would be alright to act like you identify with what the fans are going through.

The name change was inevitable, and people who still don’t understand why it had to change aren’t being honest with themselves. As usual though for this ownership, it could have been handled better.

So, Guardians it is. If you are a true fan, this will not make you give that up. And don’t hold the name change against the ownership either. It was a matter of time.

Time For The Tribe Owners To Speak.

No one will ever accuse the Cleveland Indians of having good timing or a savvy public relations department.

We wondered on social media Sunday if the Tribe front office would ruin their fans’ holiday season by announcing a Francisco Lindor trade on Christmas Eve. We were correct on the bad timing, but not on the announcement.

The New York Times reported the team will announce the name change of the team perhaps as early as this week.

Look, we knew this was inevitable, and quite frankly, in today’s climate, it’s the correct move. But they couldn’t wait until mid-January to open up a new discussion on this topic?

Again, timing is everything.

In reality, fans of the Indians have other reasons to feel uneasy, more important reasons, than changing the name from the Indians. Heck, we understand Major League Baseball probably wouldn’t like it, but we would have some days commemorating the history of the name, and would embrace the gate receipts that went with it.

We understand that each time Paul Dolan speaks, he is apt to insert his foot in his mouth, but it’s time he step forward and answer some huge questions regarding the future of the baseball team he owns.

For example, is there any negotiations going on with the city of Cleveland about extending the lease for Progressive Field, which ends 2023? Until a new agreement is reached, supporters of the Tribe should be worried about a possible move of the franchise.

Why does it seem like the payroll isn’t being slightly reduced, it is being slashed, going from the lower middle of the pack a few years ago to a projected bottom three in the sport for 2021? What is the reason for this, and by the way, citing falling attendance would not be an acceptable answer.

Yes, attendance has dipped, but not at the level the salaries are being cut, and the ownership and front office haven’t exactly tried to increase the number of people going through the turnstiles at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.

Mr. Dolan should also be asked if the team made a legitimate offer for Francisco Lindor or why the organization seems to be intentionally closing the window on contention even with a young, controllable pitching staff and two of the top 20 position players in the sport, both being in the prime of their career.

The fans deserve answers to those questions, particularly the one about the lease at the ballpark. Many fans have commented to us that it seems the Dolan family is deliberately trying to destroy the relationship with the fans so it would be easy to move the team to a new city.

That may be fallout from the Browns leaving 25 years ago, but having one professional sports team vacate the area makes sports fans a bit jumpy.

If and when Dolan speaks, we cannot have the usual coddling the local media gives the family, meaning no “we understand this is a small market and you are losing money” BS. Ask him difficult questions. We understand he may duck and dodge them, but at least he will be on record.

As for the name change, it shouldn’t be a big surprise. It was announced months ago, but as we said, why bring it up right now?

Turn it around and create some interest in the name change. Channel your inner Bill Veeck and put some butts in the Progressive Field seats.

Isn’t there anyone in the offices at Carnegie and Ontario who ever brings up how certain things will play with the fan base, the customer? Doesn’t seem like it.

Why We Are Critical Of Tribe Ownership.

As an homage to Terry Pluto, we are talking to ourselves this week.

Why do you dislike the Dolan ownership of the Indians so much?

Because we believe there is a trust that when you buy a professional sports team, the agreement with the fans is that you will try to win.

We believe the fans of Cleveland understand the market size and the way baseball is structured the large media markets have an advantage, but we feel a payroll in the $100-110 million range should be sustainable.

And when you have a pair of young superstars, both in their prime years, and a very affordable young pitching staff, you should do want you can to win a world championship.

If you don’t want to make the financial commitment, then sell the team. No one is making anyone own a professional sports team.

Do you believe the Indians’ owners are losing money?

We do not believe any owner of a professional sports team is losing money. With the revenue from media contracts and merchandising, we think all owners of professional sports teams are making money, despite what they try to tell us.

If they were losing money consistently, and knew that by selling the team they could triple their initial investment, they would sell. Everyone would.

Do you think the Dolans miss the cash influx of former minority owner John Sherman?

Certainly, and don’t forget it was reported that Sherman had an option to buy the team. Do you think he would want to do that if the team was hemorrhaging cash?

We would have to believe Sherman knew the profit and loss statement of the Indians. And you know wha t he did? He bought another major league team in a smaller market. Unless Mr. Sherman is into burning money…

What about the low attendance at Progressive Field despite the success of the team?

True, it could and should be better. However, we believe it is on the front office to find out why fans don’t go to the park. In the past three years where fans were allowed in Progressive Field, attendance is at its highest level since 2011.

Remember, gone are the days the Tribe can draw more than 3 million fans. With the remodeling of the park, if the Indians sold out every game, attendance would wind up being just a little over 2.8 million fans. If Cleveland drew at the same percentage of capacity in 2019, they’d have drawn 2.1 million.

No one is obligated or forced to attend games. The front office needs to find out why fans don’t go and fix the problem. Have they? We don’t know.

What do you see for 2021 around baseball?

No doubt Major League Baseball teams lost revenue during the shortened 2020 season with no fans. Will teams be forced to make tough decisions on veteran players who are making big cash? Without a doubt.

However, we do not feel all teams will be in a cost cutting mode.

Remember one thing. The CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) end after the 2021 season. Complaining about lost revenue and reducing salaries could be a negotiating tactic. Remember, the owners have been found guilty of collusion before.

Anything else you want to get off your chest?

Yes. One thing we do not understand is the defense of the Dolan ownership and their cost cutting ways by some fans. Why do folks not want the ownership to spend as much as they can? Are they part of the accounting department for the team?

One fear they have is that a new ownership group will move the team. Why don’t the current owners extend the lease agreement with the city for Progressive Field?

Keeping the team in Cleveland is the lowest bar for an owner. Would everyone believe these people would be happy with a team that finishes last every year as long as they are still playing in Cleveland.

What about the moves this week?

Very predictable and actually, we have no problem with them. We didn’t think the Tribe would pick up the options on Brad Hand or Carlos Santana, although it wouldn’t be a shock if the latter returned at a lower salary.

If the front office was going to use the money saved here to upgrade in other areas, that would be fine, but instead fans can apparently look forward to their star shortstop being moved in a deal, and perhaps along with the longest tenured Indian, starter Carlos Carrasco.

Hard to imagine the Indians will be a contender for a playoff spot in 2021.

The Time To Act For Tribe Is Now

As we wrote about a week ago, the next two weeks will say a lot about how the rest of the baseball season will play out for the Cleveland Indians.

Between now and when the best players in the sport descend on Progressive Field on July 9th, the Tribe plays 23 games against teams with some of the worst records in the game.

Yes, they have four in Texas next week, and two more against Cincinnati right before the All Star Game, but the rest of the slate is filled with contests vs. the Tigers, Royals, and Orioles.

We know baseball is a sport designed around series, so the teams themselves are best served by taking each game as it comes, but we don’t have to do that.

It’s not far-fetched to think the Indians could go 15-8 in those 23 games, which would make their record 48-40 heading into the Midsummer Classic.

Does it make sense to sell at that point?

Then, after the All Star Game, Terry Francona’s squad has three with the Twins at home, followed by more games against Detroit, Kansas City, and Toronto, before ending the month with a series against Houston.

This means with the trade deadline coming at the end of July, Cleveland could be a good way above the .500 mark.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is it will be difficult unless the attitude of the front office and Francona changes.

They split with the Reds despite scoring just four runs in the pair of games. The lineup, beyond Carlos Santana hitting in the three hole, is filled with a lot of guys who are very proficient at making outs.

And this is as good a time to change this as there is.

Oscar Mercado’s success, and make no mistake, he hasn’t been great, merely solid, should have Chris Antonetti, Mike Chernoff, and Francona looking at Columbus for some help.

Since the end of April, Leonys Martin is hitting .193 with 3 HR, 8 RBI, and has drawn seven walks (in 31 games). Usually reliable vs. right-handers, he has a .294 on base percentage and a 696 OPS in 2019.

Jason Kipnis is batting .218 for the season, and .224 since May 1st. His OPS vs. righties? Try 646.

Jake Bauers has hit .148 over the last 28 days with 28 strikeouts in 81 at bats.

It’s time to end this madness.

Greg Allen is eligible to be recalled from Columbus this weekend, and he was hitting a bit the week or so before he was sent down.

Make your outfield rotation Mercado, Allen, Jordan Luplow, and Tyler Naquin, and give them extended opportunities. It’s doubtful they can be worse than Martin and Bauers.

We would bring up Bobby Bradley, even though we have concerns about his strikeout rate. His numbers indicate he is not simply piling up numbers at Huntington Park in Columbus.

As for second base, why not give Mark Mathias an opportunity. He has an 816 OPS at AAA, and gets on base (.354). And he’s been better on the road.

What to do with the others? Bauers can be sent to AAA to relocate his batting stroke. As for Kipnis and Martin, the season is just about half over, so just designated them for assignment. If you have to release them, which is likely, then so be it.

We don’t think they can help the Indians going forward.

We understand it is a very difficult decision. On the other hand, by and large, players know who should be playing, and our guess is there were puzzled looks in the clubhouse last week when Allen was sent out.

This is a critical stretch for this baseball team, and the front office can’t wait any longer to make a tough decision.