The Solution?
We've seen Mark Shapiro make those cheap moves and I alluded to it earlier with both the third base and closer spots. I could see Shapiro plugging two holes with cheap alternatives and plugging the other one with a real investment.
This position is the one most likely to get a cheap fix and here is why.
Jake Westbrook is this team's number three; however he is going to miss at least half, if not more of the season.
The depth is great, but Shaprio wants to keep that depth where it is at. He doesn't want to have to depend on a Jeremy Sowers, he would like him to step up when you least expect it.
Westbrook could come in at some point in the season, which would only be a plus if the Indians have a reliable third option that is pitching well. That is why a one year-Kevin Millwood type signing makes a whole lot of sense here.
The ideal fit would be Freddy Garcia or someone who has been a proven reliable pitcher, just coming off an injury. Carl Pavano could be in that mold, but he isn't coming off an injury, he's coming off many injuries.
Cleveland's Trade Chips
The biggest card the Indians could put into play is their backup catcher, Kelly Shoppach.
His emergence in the absence of Victor Martinez has given the Indians a legit commodity that other teams might actually covet. The big thing here is that the Indians might be adding two more catchers to their 40 man roster, which would bring their total to five. All five would be in Double-A or higher.
The acquisition of Carlos Santana means the Indians have someone they like for the future and along those lines, the acquisition of both Matt LaPorta and Mike Bradley make players like Ben Francisco, Franklin Gutierrez and prospect Trevor Crowe expendable.
The Indians also have a surplus of young pitchers and they could use an Aaron Laffey in a package if need be.
A favorite for fans to get traded is Ryan Garko, but I can't see the Indians getting rid of him with Travis Hafner's health in question.
The Overall Perspective
Three needs, all that if you ask me need addressed if the Indians are going to be contenders. You don't have to make the big free agent signing or anything like that, but you need to make some moves.
Mark Shapiro will make them, but he isn't going to make a move that could hurt his team in the long run. He knows he has holes to fill and he's going to fill them with the best possible solution.
My overall idea would look something like this:
- Re-Sign both Sal Fasano and Brendan Donnelly to minor league deals after they explore their own options. Neither should get 40 man roster spots anywhere else.
- Sign Jason Isringhausen and Freddy Garcia to one year deals. With other options, this makes the most sense.
- Trade for sign a reliable third baseman. With no other options, this is a move that probably needs to be done.
- Protect Carlos Santana, Chris Gimenez, Jordan Brown, Trevor Crowe, and Hector Rondon with 40 man roster protection for the Rule V Draft.
I personally wouldn't mind any of the options I laid out, like Freddy Garcia, Jason Isringhausen, even Kerry Wood or Joe Crede at a reasonable price. I just don't want Shapiro to deviate from his stance of signing a free agent just because he can. He will make additions, but he can't make the wrong ones or there will be a lot of disappointed fans.
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