There is no way around it. The 2008 version of the Cleveland Indians has been downright disappointing. Once thought of as a developing contender for years to come, they have fallen flat on their face. It started early in the season, and they have not shown any real signs of life since.
Currently, the Indians stand 11.5 games behind the division-leading White Sox, with the possibility of a larger deficit looming, as the Indians continue their series with the South Siders tomorrow. This places the Indians in dead last, behind the Kansas City Royals (wow, did I really just say that).
With the realization that this season is pretty much going to be played out by the team for a fresh start next season, what questions on the roster should we try and figure out now? It’s better to find out now than when the pressure is very high in a pennant race.
I am just taking into account players on the roster who will be back next season, barring any surprise trade. I am not including players rumored to be traded. That is not what this is about. It is about what the Indians have and will have, and what they need to learn.
So here are five questions that the Indians need to find an answer to by the end of 2008.
1. Third Base: Find out what Andy Marte can do at third base.
This one is the most obvious and pressing question, as the Indians continue to hold Marte.
Casey Blake has had a terrific season by his standards, and will be a free agent at the end of the season. This makes him very expendable, as he is at a relatively high value right now. I foresee the Indians taking this opportunity to make a great deal. Remember how Shapiro sold high on the likes of Ben Broussard and Eduardo Perez to get Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera?
As for Marte, he has been a drag on the Indians' ability to have show flexibility on their roster. He is stuck without minor-league options. The Indians must still feel that he has something in the tank, or else he would have been gone by now. I seriously doubt that previous dealings with the likes of Brandon Phillips have much to do with it. If that is the case, then there is a serious problem, and they need to look ahead and get over the past.
The Indians need to figure out what Marte has to offer. He needs to play everyday to do this, not just a couple times a week and then a pinch-hitting opportunity. What’s the worst that could happen, he continues to not hit? He would fit right in with this ball club.
At least then there is no way the Indians could continue to hold onto him. It is a win-win situation. They either find out that he is a serviceable third baseman to utilize until Wes Hodges is ready in the next year or two, or he ends up getting released to open up his roster spot to find a new third baseman.
2. Second Base: Can Asdrubal Cabrera readjust to major-league pitching?
Asdrubal Cabrera made great strides during the 2007 season, coming from AA to the big leagues, and ultimately the MLB playoffs, but 2008 has been unkind to the young Venezuelan. Despite the tremendous defense that leads Tribe fans to remember another Indian who used to wear the number 13, Cabrera struggled at the plate, with a poor .184 batting average and just 16 runs scored in 52 games.
comments (7) write a comment »
write a new comment
5 months ago
I definitely agree with you on the Cabrera deal. He's hitting awfully bad this year, but I think he has a chance to come back next year with avengance if he works this offseason.
5 months ago
First two points, couldn't be more right.. I'd like to see this lineup with both Barfield and Cabrera.. That's gonna be impossible though if we wanna find out about Marte.. BAH
We'll probably see Chootierrez for the rest of the year. But I'd rather stick Francisco in right field, move Franklin as the full time 4th outfielder who gives guys a break with a left hander on the mound and comes in as defense late. We've got plenty of guys in the outfield in the minor leagues if we can't get a major league ready outfielder.
As painful it is to watch him pitch, we do need to see if Sowers has what it takes. Give him the rest of the year and if he fizzles, move him in the off-season.
Jensen is starting to find himself in Buffalo.. I think it might be get him up here soon. He would be my ideal choice to throw into the closers roll. Him or Perez. Maybe give Stevens a few chances. Trade Joe, cut Scott and Rick and just bring in the youngsters. You are spot on.
from 5 months ago
I love it! Chootierrez....In the long run I would much rather see another take over one of the corner outfield spots instead of this platoon. I believe neither is much more than a utility outfielder. And Gutierrez is more valuable because of his speed and defense. But right now, lets see how it does over the remaining 80 games. Maybe even bring up Crowe in September to get a solid look. He will be in the mix for a staring spot very soon, likely next spring.
I agree on the bullpen moves. I didn't state here, but I believe Joe needs to be moved on, but I don't know if we could trade him. He will likely finish out the season and leave via free agency, but lets hope Shapiro can find any sort of deal. Also Elarton and Bauer now have no reason to be up with the season pretty much over.
5 months ago
The indians just need to get rid of Marte. He has been a burden for us the past couple of years. The talk in Cleveland is moving Asdrubal Cabrera to shortstop (his natural position), and moving Jhonny Peralta to 3rd base. With this, it would more than likely make Casey Blake available. The Indians have a lot of players that are going to get some offers at the trade deadline, and this could be a fresh new team with 3 or 4 new everyday position players for the start of the 2009 season.
from 5 months ago
Why get rid of Marte at this juncture? We've held onto him this long, with the season over I'd at least like to see what he can do full time. At least find out so it's not a total waste. We've got nothing to play for.
Not gonna happen this year if it does.. they'd prefer not to move Peralta.. If they do end up doing it, it won't be till the off-season. Jhonny wasn't exactly the greatest third baseman.
from 5 months ago
Nino- I agree with you on everything except the Marte deal. I don't see them making such drastic changes at this point in the season. Casey Blake is only signed with us through this year for $6.1 million, a couple million more than I think he deserves. Why not test the trade markets with Blake?
Andy Marte is making barely the league minimum. He's a CAREER .189 hitter with only 6 home runs. I would hesitate to do this first option, but, like you stated, make him your everyday third baseman at least for the time being, the other option being send him to Akron or Buffalo and see if he can get his swing back. I think, no matter what, this is his do-or-die year. The Indians have been waiting and waiting for him to reach his full potential and I believe that he is not going to do it based on what I am seeing.
Jhonny's not the greatest shortstop either. Peralta is only earning $2.25 mill this year and is signed through 2011. He may not be the best hitter either, but a lot of times it seems like he's one of the ones getting the clutch hits.
5 months ago
I hope you guys get things figured out over there. The AL Central isn't really the same without your boys contending. (I sure would've appreciated a better showing against the Sox :D)
write a new comment