So, as we have seen here, the Indians are in much better shape for internal reinforcements as compared to previous seasons. The relief talent is now at the top level of the system and no longer will the transaction bus be bringing the Mujicas, Mastnys, and Brian Slocums as fill-ins.

There will be real potential on that bus that will certainly net a couple of prize possessions from the list for years to come.

Recruiting

Externally, the Indians are out recruiting and placing calls to try and reel in some help for the upcoming season. Let’s be honest: As bright as the Indians upper farm system now is in relief talent, do they really want to rely on that in 2009 to be there and producing in a potential pennant race?

It would be great to have that happen, and likely one of them will make it next season, but you can’t expect it to happen with youth. It is a supplement until proven capable.

With that said, and with the extra spot in the bullpen, the Indians are in the market to make one big upgrade, which they should be doing. I mean, think about it. If the Indians can net a respectable closer, push Lewis back into the setup role with Perez and Betancourt, and use Jackson/Kobayashi as the less pressured relievers, there would be a better symmetry to the bullpen.

The Indians could have four proven relievers to close down games, and the upcoming infusion of youth would only supplement this core.

The rumor mills are rampant, listing names from guys like Kerry Wood, Brian Fuentes, Huston Street, Kevin Gregg, Chad Cordero, Jason Isringhausen, Trevor Hoffman, and the list could go on. All would be nice additions, some are heavier in contract and some are cheaper due to injury.

To me, the ideal solution is becoming clearer. With this nearing influx of talented arms, along with Perez/Lewis for the future, the Indians likely house the future closer of this team internally. So obtaining flexibility is key, closer or not. The Indians need to maintain the ability to transition the bullpen with guidance from experienced proven veterans.

There are a couple of names there, Huston Street and Kevin Gregg, both in arbitration years, which would help the Indians fit budget while obtaining a lower risk pitcher during their prime. These guys would not put long-term financial stress on the team if they do not work out. The Indians would just not offer arbitration the next season or even could trade away the pitcher if a market remains.

There is no way the Indians could afford to sign say a Fuentes and he becomes the next Borowski, that the team could eat $10+ million a year for that 60 innings of work per season.

Wherever the solution comes from, it most certainly will be from the trade market if the Indians go closer, the Free Agent options just don’t add up for this team right now, unless they are going setup men.

The top of this market brings the names of Bobby Howry, Juan Cruz, Jeremy Affeldt, Luis Ayala among others. This list is certainly cheaper and any additions to the bullpen would only supplement the current staff while Jensen Lewis remains the closer for the time being. Each would be within a $2-5 million range per year, about where Gregg and Street would also fall.

In the end, the likely external pickup will be someone that we have yet to read or hear about in the mainstream as of today. It always seems to be that way. So no sense in really analyzing these names too much until they are on the team.

But the point should be taken, that flexibility and the Indians not tying themselves to a large contract in terms of both years and dollars will be key to transitioning the bullpen while remaining competitive.

Battle Plan

As the Indians enter 2009, the bullpen has nowhere to go but up. And that can only help to guide this team back towards their goal of winning the A.L. Central Division once again and making the playoffs for another shot at the Series.

The Indians and their fans should take notice that the bullpen is about to become an exciting part of this team with Miller, Sipp, Stevens, maybe even Meloan, to go along with Perez and Lewis in the near future.

There are nine names internally of the 11 mentioned from AAA Columbus and Cleveland that are under control of the Indians through at least 2012 and beyond until free agency would kick in. The only two that have outs soon are Kobayashi and Rafael Betancourt, which may happen after this next season.

To help supplement this transition of veterans into youth and stay competitive in the short-term, the Indians must acquire one, preferably even two proven veterans that also provide some flexibility in their ability to transform the bullpen, a la Street or Gregg.

Following this, and assuming the talent does pan out as it looks like it should, the Indians will find themselves in an admirable position in a year with a load of bullpen talent that will be a core to this team for the foreseeable future while allowing the Indians to really focus their budget on bigger fish for the rotation or infield.

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