Cleveland's Secondary Need: A Capable Late Inning Reliever
Mark Shapiro isn't closing the door on Jensen Lewis or even Rafael Perez being inserted into the closers role. But you know he would prefer to find someone who has established themselves as a closer just in case.
Shapiro will search every solution and explore just about every free agent closer other than Francisco Rodriguez. If he cannot find one at the right price, he'll probably settle for an impact setup man and keep Jensen Lewis as his ninth inning guy.
If he picks up a left-handed relief pitcher, that would give Eric Wedge late inning flexibility and use Perez strictly as a setup guy, something he's excelled at.
The Solution?
It will probably be a free agent signing. There are too many good options out there and Shapiro would probably rather not trade for a closer.
Huston Street could be off the market and Kevin Gregg has recently been traded to the Cubs to remove him as well. Both were possibilities, but the acquisition of Kevin Gregg opens up a free agent possibility for the Tribe.
Kerry Wood would be an ideal fit for the Indians at the right price. Something along the lines of a two year deal would be beneficial for the Tribe to not invest long term in a relief pitcher and give Wood a nice small payday that could maybe establish himself as a healthy closer over the long term.
Trevor Hoffman is another closer that will likely move on from his old team and he's a guy the Indians almost signed a few years ago. Hoffman actually turned down a bigger contract to return to San Diego.
There is also the cheap and quick route along the lines of Jason Isringhausen or Chad Codero. Both are proven closers coming off injuries just looking for a one year shot to prove themselves.
It's a typical Mark Shapiro move and one I'd expect him to make when all is said and done.
Cleveland Might Sign a Starting Pitcher
The possibility of signing a Starting Pitcher will increase if the market for mid-range rotation guys is one favorable to the Indians.
They've got plenty of options to plug into their rotation behind Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona. Anthony Reyes is expected to occupy one of those spots and the Indians would prefer to leave their fifth spot up to competition.
This would mean they need a third or fourth man in the rotation. That would also open up the possibility of using one of their pitchers, Aaron Laffey or Jeremy Sowers, in a trade, be it this offseason or at the trade deadline if need-be.
I don't anticipate Shaprio trading for someone to fill that spot that is obviously a need, but not a priority. That leaves him with free agent options alone.
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