The Cleveland Indians demoted IF Jorge Velandia to AAA Buffalo today. Velandia was promoted when 2B Josh Barfield went on the DL after finger surgery. Velandia played sparingly in a utility role as Jamey Carroll took charge of second base in Barfield's absence.
Reports have 2B/SS Asdrubal Cabrera returning to C-Town from Buffalo. Other than my being able to use the "As-Man" moniker I saddled him with last season, it does present an interesting serious of questions for the Tribe.
Cabrera was sent down for his woes at the dish. The sub-.200 average and poor plate approach were obvious to everyone. He has responded by hitting well over .300 at Buffalo and it will be interesting to see how he responds to his re-exposure to major league caliber pitching.
The bigger question takes place in the field. No one has questioned Cabrera's glove; it has been phenomenal. Turning the DP smoothly, making all the throws and even an unassisted triple play are all on the As-man's resume.
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However, while being the starting 2B at the start of the year, Cabrera has been primarily playing SS at Buffalo. What does this mean for his return?
Jhonny Peralta is entrenched at SS and is swinging a hot bat since being moved into the clean-up spot. Move him to 3B, you say? Well, Andy Marte has recently been granted some playing time there and has shown signs of life after sitting on the bench for weeks at a time. The Indians desperately need to get a read on Marte to see if he is a part of their future.
Even if he does go back to 2B what happens to Barfield when he comes off the DL? An up-the-middle combo of Cabrera and Barfield is a pitcher's dream defensively, but can they generate enough offense for a team that is nowhere near an offensive juggernaut?
No matter how you slice it, it will be interesting to see how Eric Wedge handles the situation. With Peralta in a comfort zone right now and Cabrera, Barfield and Marte needing playing time to be properly evaluated, there seems to be one too few spots.
This is where Uncle Eric will earn his keep during this lost 2008 campaign. He needs to effectively utilize all four players to give the Indians the best chance to compete and contend in 2009.
It will be something to watch in an otherwise disappointing season, but for now..
THE AS-MAN RETURN-ITH! THE AS-MAN RETURN-ITH! THE AS-MAN RETURN-ITH!
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about 1 month ago
Yeah I think they'll wait till Barfield returns to make that decision, it should give them a good extended look at Marte. Sort of a cross that bridge when they get there type of thing.
I don't think they'd want to saddle Jhonny Peralta with a move in season. If anything they could use Hafner's injury as a plus and do the DH deal for someone like Jhonny or Marte if they want to get all four in the lineup.
from about 1 month ago
True, true. Good points. Didn't Marte play some 1B in camp as well or am I crazy?
Peralta just drives me nuts. Especially at SS. It is the single most important defensive position in baseball and The As-Man is great there. He's no Omar yet but it well above average for a 22 year old.
If Peralta were just more consistnat and just LOOK like he's zoned in 24/7 maybe I'd be easier on him. I don't know, he just drives me bonkers.
I have doubts if Hafner returns in 2008 so your theory may play out to a T.
from about 1 month ago
Yep he did. That would be an option as well. He plays a very solid third if you ask me so first shouldn't be an issue once he gets some time under his belt.
Ya Peralta is irritating and he's putting up those power numbers for a corner infield spot, so the move would make sense if it happens.
I really think it will take till like September before we see Hafner, but I think we'll see him this year. They want all the time they can get to at least get his swing worked out in-season.
from about 1 month ago
Whatever happens it gives us an excuse to watch... and b!tch! LOL.
about 1 month ago
I can hardly wait to see how this pans out. This will be the best story of the season now that contention is in the rear-view mirror.
about 1 month ago
Droob is one of my favorite players. His glove alone should have kept him in the majors, although I'm thinking management saw something in his demeanor due to his struggles at the plate.
That is, Droob was not having that terrible of a go of things at the plate. His strikeouts were up, yes, but I believe last year was an anomaly for the kid. What was nice to see, despite the spike in strikeouts and his inability to have a ball land out of a players glove, was the increase in his walk rate. For a 21 year old to own a walk rate that was that far above league average is telling of the type of player Cabrera can be.
Another issue, and something we as Indians fans are simply going to have to buck up and swallow, is the fact that Droob will never be a 25+ home run hitter. In fact, the Indians will be lucky to regularly get 15 homers out of Cabrera annually.
However, that does not mean he will not still be among the most valuable short stops in the league-ie Adam Everett.
I'm certain Cabrera will return and if given the appropriate playing time, will shine for the Indians...
All that being said, I am heading to the Bisons game Friday Night, and needless to say, I am quite depressed with the lineup I am going to get treated with-ugh! I was spoiled the last 6 years!
about 1 month ago
I don't think there will be any doubt that "As-Man" will return as 2B, when I attended that game in Cleveland a few weeks back, Wedgie said that Cabrera was just "getting some time in at SS" because he had played so much 2B. What that means is anyones guess, but right now this team is committed to Peralta at SS at least through this year. Spring Training will be when any move is made. We know Cabrera can play short, whether it be now or then. The key for him will be to steady himself at the plate and regain that confidence we saw last year. It's in there, he displayed it at Buffalo and a brief few times in Cleveland this year. Get him at-bats and he'll be just fine.
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