Monday, October 02, 2006
Mild Indian Summer
By John Chandler
The Indians closed out the season by winning 6 of their last 7 games against the White Sox and Devil Rays. I'd call them a day late and a dollar short, but that was the line last year.
You remember last year, when Chicago and Tampa Bay took turns eliminating the Tribe from what seemed like a sure return to the postseason? Right. Playoff tickets were printed, then burned when the Indians folded like a cheapskate in a high-stakes poker match.
But those pesky Devil Rays and nasty White Sox sure got what was coming to them this year. Yes, this final week was a regular cleansing of the baseball palette, a chance to flush out that bitter taste in the Tribe's mouth. You know, the one that made them choke?
OK, the past is the past. I get that. Really, I do.
As the old Red Sox manager, Jimy Williams, always liked to say, they can only play the schedule. Can't go back and change it. Just play the game you're supposed to, tonight. The Indians displayed a firm grasp on that theory in the second half of 2006. As their manager, Eric Wedge, likes to say, they can only keep "grinding" day by day. Of course, if his team starts 2007 with the same sense of urgency they did 2006, "day by day" will refer to his job security, and not the team's rally cry.
The rebuilding "shortcut" that the Indians took under GM Mark Shapiro in 2002 is in danger of feeling like that shortcut your friend talked you into taking through the woods; by the time you finally found your way out, you come to find you really didn't cut any corners at all. But the Indians' brass can avoid that now. Here's the plan:
Good To The Core
The Indians may be the best 4th place team in recent memory. Their starting rotation missed all but 4 starts to injury (after missing just 3 in '06) and tossed 13 complete games, MLB's runaway leader in that category. Their lineup boasts two of baseball's best offensive players (Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner) and scored more runs (870) than any team not named the Yankees. There is talent. Plenty of it.
CF Grady Sizemore: Best leadoff hitter in baseball? He gets my vote. Think Johnny Damon, only better. Sizemore led the Majors in digits (extra-base hits and girls' phone numbers) while hustling to any ball hit in his direction. Dude got dirty for a 4th place team. Even in September.
DH Travis Hafner: The most feared American League hitter West of David Ortiz. Hey, Big Papi is clutch, but six grand slams (tied for MLB record) is something not even the Red Sox slugger can boast.
C Victor Martinez: So his defense needs a little work. So did Mike Piazza's. Victor's bat is too important to ignore. Same with his leadership in the clubhouse.
Starting Rotation: Sabathia, Lee, Westbrook, Byrd, and Sowers. Mix 'em up however you want and leave them be. Not only the most durable in baseball, but maybe the most underrated.
Minor Adjustments
Perhaps, the best thing the Indians could have done in 2006 was take a dive. Losing early allowed them to dump yawning veterans like Eduardo Perez and wade into the waters of their minor league system. They needed to see if the farm was as deep as it looked.
The result? There are more than a few everyday players who could fill holes.
1B Ryan Garko: Put him at 1B in 2007 and let him hit. So he's not wearing a gold glove in the field. Neither was Ben Broussard, but you felt comfortable starting him in 2006. Garko is a professional hitter. Pencil him in for a .300 season with 90 to 100 RBI in the middle of the lineup.
LHP Jeremy Sowers: The lefty tossed a complete game shutout and barely cracked a smile. No big deal. Just what he thinks he's supposed to do, every five days. This kid will make the difference in October -- if the Indians ever get there.
3B Andy Marte: Third base should be his in 2007 by virtue of his value in last January's high profile Coco Crisp trade. How could you not start him, after all that drooling over his talent? Eric Wedge believes he's ready. He can hit almost everything. Just not a curveball.
RHP Fausto Carmona: OK, so the whole closing thing didn't quite work out. Looking at the numbers (10 losses) it's easy to say the starting thing wasn't exactly smooth, either. But that last loss should've been a win against Chicago. Besides, his sinker is too filthy to give up on.
Check, Please
Time for owner Larry Dolan to pick up the tab on the playoffs. For the Indians to succeed, they need to spend a little money. I'm not talking about tossing around cash like the Yankees or Mets. No, just take $10 million, and use it wisely. The free agent market is thin, particularly at closer (Dannys Baez, anyone?) so it is imperative to target what you need, and go after it.
The holes: 2B, bullpen, corner outfielder with power.
I'd say this is the most important offseason the Dolans have ever faced, but then I'm pretty sure I said that last year. Whatever. The point is, this Indians team is not far off the path from the shortcut it took in rebuilding back in 2002. But this offseason, we'll find out if the men in charge really know the way, or if they're just fumbling around for directions.
Indians Nation, what do you think? Is your team in good shape heading into 2007? Are the playoffs a possibility? Share your thoughts on the Alltel Sound Off and then watch for your comments on the Toyota Sports Sunday, weekly at 11:32 PM.
The Indians closed out the season by winning 6 of their last 7 games against the White Sox and Devil Rays. I'd call them a day late and a dollar short, but that was the line last year.
You remember last year, when Chicago and Tampa Bay took turns eliminating the Tribe from what seemed like a sure return to the postseason? Right. Playoff tickets were printed, then burned when the Indians folded like a cheapskate in a high-stakes poker match.
But those pesky Devil Rays and nasty White Sox sure got what was coming to them this year. Yes, this final week was a regular cleansing of the baseball palette, a chance to flush out that bitter taste in the Tribe's mouth. You know, the one that made them choke?
OK, the past is the past. I get that. Really, I do.
As the old Red Sox manager, Jimy Williams, always liked to say, they can only play the schedule. Can't go back and change it. Just play the game you're supposed to, tonight. The Indians displayed a firm grasp on that theory in the second half of 2006. As their manager, Eric Wedge, likes to say, they can only keep "grinding" day by day. Of course, if his team starts 2007 with the same sense of urgency they did 2006, "day by day" will refer to his job security, and not the team's rally cry.
The rebuilding "shortcut" that the Indians took under GM Mark Shapiro in 2002 is in danger of feeling like that shortcut your friend talked you into taking through the woods; by the time you finally found your way out, you come to find you really didn't cut any corners at all. But the Indians' brass can avoid that now. Here's the plan:
Good To The Core
The Indians may be the best 4th place team in recent memory. Their starting rotation missed all but 4 starts to injury (after missing just 3 in '06) and tossed 13 complete games, MLB's runaway leader in that category. Their lineup boasts two of baseball's best offensive players (Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner) and scored more runs (870) than any team not named the Yankees. There is talent. Plenty of it.
CF Grady Sizemore: Best leadoff hitter in baseball? He gets my vote. Think Johnny Damon, only better. Sizemore led the Majors in digits (extra-base hits and girls' phone numbers) while hustling to any ball hit in his direction. Dude got dirty for a 4th place team. Even in September.
DH Travis Hafner: The most feared American League hitter West of David Ortiz. Hey, Big Papi is clutch, but six grand slams (tied for MLB record) is something not even the Red Sox slugger can boast.
C Victor Martinez: So his defense needs a little work. So did Mike Piazza's. Victor's bat is too important to ignore. Same with his leadership in the clubhouse.
Starting Rotation: Sabathia, Lee, Westbrook, Byrd, and Sowers. Mix 'em up however you want and leave them be. Not only the most durable in baseball, but maybe the most underrated.
Minor Adjustments
Perhaps, the best thing the Indians could have done in 2006 was take a dive. Losing early allowed them to dump yawning veterans like Eduardo Perez and wade into the waters of their minor league system. They needed to see if the farm was as deep as it looked.
The result? There are more than a few everyday players who could fill holes.
1B Ryan Garko: Put him at 1B in 2007 and let him hit. So he's not wearing a gold glove in the field. Neither was Ben Broussard, but you felt comfortable starting him in 2006. Garko is a professional hitter. Pencil him in for a .300 season with 90 to 100 RBI in the middle of the lineup.
LHP Jeremy Sowers: The lefty tossed a complete game shutout and barely cracked a smile. No big deal. Just what he thinks he's supposed to do, every five days. This kid will make the difference in October -- if the Indians ever get there.
3B Andy Marte: Third base should be his in 2007 by virtue of his value in last January's high profile Coco Crisp trade. How could you not start him, after all that drooling over his talent? Eric Wedge believes he's ready. He can hit almost everything. Just not a curveball.
RHP Fausto Carmona: OK, so the whole closing thing didn't quite work out. Looking at the numbers (10 losses) it's easy to say the starting thing wasn't exactly smooth, either. But that last loss should've been a win against Chicago. Besides, his sinker is too filthy to give up on.
Check, Please
Time for owner Larry Dolan to pick up the tab on the playoffs. For the Indians to succeed, they need to spend a little money. I'm not talking about tossing around cash like the Yankees or Mets. No, just take $10 million, and use it wisely. The free agent market is thin, particularly at closer (Dannys Baez, anyone?) so it is imperative to target what you need, and go after it.
The holes: 2B, bullpen, corner outfielder with power.
I'd say this is the most important offseason the Dolans have ever faced, but then I'm pretty sure I said that last year. Whatever. The point is, this Indians team is not far off the path from the shortcut it took in rebuilding back in 2002. But this offseason, we'll find out if the men in charge really know the way, or if they're just fumbling around for directions.
Indians Nation, what do you think? Is your team in good shape heading into 2007? Are the playoffs a possibility? Share your thoughts on the Alltel Sound Off and then watch for your comments on the Toyota Sports Sunday, weekly at 11:32 PM.
Posted at 12:26 PM
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