Cleveland: Tribe Add Two To DL

Sitting at 30-36, seven games behind the first place White Sox, the Indians may be kissing their playoff hopes goodbye.

Today the Indians placed catcher Victor Martinez and second baseman Josh Barfield on the DL and called up catcher Yamid Haad and infielder Jorge Valendia. The injured duo will join the other ailing Tribe players—DH Travis Hafner, SP Jake Westbrook and SP Fausto Carmona—and add to the frustrations of the 2008 season.

On opening day, Martinez was forced out of the game with a hamstring injury, and though he rested the injury for several days he never fully recovered. Besides lacking a single home run this season, Martinez's numbers have been fairly average, perhaps a little below: .278 BA, .332 OBP, 17 runs, 21 RBI.

Martinez has been playing through his hamstring problems all year, and Eric Wedge has opted to keep him in the lineup because of his positive influence on the team. However, when this elbow injury flared-up it was revealed by Wedge that Martinez had also been suffering this problem all season, a possible explanation for the power drought.

He said in an interview, "It's something he's been battling off and on all year. He's a tough cookie. He's as tough as I've seen behind the plate," per Castrovince, Indians.com.

Barfield was only brought up to the big club three days ago after being sent down to start the season. He was replacing the glove-man Asdrubal Cabrera, whose batting average (.184) was the lowest among qualifying big league-rs. Barfield had been held hit-less in six at-bats before being struck on the middle finger with a pitch. Prior to the promotion Barfield had hit safely in nine of his last 12 games for Buffalo with a home run and five RBI over that span.

In 25 games at Buffalo Haad batted .159 with three doubles. After playing 44 Valendia was batting .265 with three home runs and 14 RBI.

These injuries have dug the Indians deeper into an already deep hole. Sitting seven games out, and relying on several non-40-man roster players, it will take something historic for this team to reach the playoffs. At the beginning of the season many experts picked this team to win the division, or World Series, or at least challenge the Tigers all season long.

Though the season is far from over, it seems as if the team may begin to look toward 2009. Baseball Tonight analyst Peter Gammons has mentioned that the team has inquired into the value of Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia, however, he remains doubtful that a move will be made. While C.C. may not be on his way out, the team is in dire need of some move, especially in the wake of these most recent injuries.

Over the off-season many speculated that the Indians would go after Pirates' slugger Jason Bay. Since Bay has found his swing again it has been proposed that he may be on the trading block while his value is still high.

Also rumored was a deal involving the Colorado Rockies sending either Matt Holliday or Garret Atkins and possibly Brian Fuentes out for a player who could contribute immediately under contractual control longer than 2009, which is when Holliday’s contract is set to expire, as reported from Rumblings and Grumblings by Jayson Stark, ESPN.com.

The Indians have a strong farm system from which to deal from, rich in pitching and outfield talent. At this point it would be safe to speculate that Aaron Laffey may be off-limits; however, young arms like Jeremy Sowers, Adam Miller and Chuck Lofgren would be tempting to other teams and certainly available for the right price.

At the big league level in outfield depth the Indians could look to dealing Shin-Soo Choo, Ben Fransisco or Franklin Gutierrez, but the later two would be valued much higher as they are considered a big part of the future outfield with Grady Sizemore.

In the minors Jason Tyner and Brad Snyder are options for trades.

Regardless of how a deal might shake down, it is imperative for a deal to be made shortly if the Indians plan to contend into the late months of the 2008 season. With so many injuries, and certainly a few more to come over the remaining months of the season, the Indians are in need of the kind of help that can only come from the outside.

More of the same from the Tribe front office would likely end any hopes for this season, and deprive Cleveland fans of the title the city so desperately desires.

UPDATE:

According to Indians beat writer Anthony Castrovince, Victor Martinez will undergo surgery on his injured elbow. Following an MRI on Thursday the Tribe confirmed fears that there are floating bodies in the back of his elbow, which will be corrected by arthroscopic surgery Friday at the Cleveland Clinic. It is expected that the catcher will return in six to eight weeks.

Castrovince also reported that Josh Barfield's tendon on his middle finger slipped out of place and became unstable, it is unsure if it will require surgery. Currently the finger is in a splint and he is on the 15-day DL.