All-Aught Indians--Back-up Infielder--Jamey Carroll (2008-2009)

Is there a more unsung job in baseball than the utility infielder? These are the guys that are signed to a contract because they can play tough defense, and do it at more than one position. Can they hit? Not likely. If you find a back-up infielder that has a stick, nine times out of ten, they end up starting. The Indians have had two clear back-up infielders over the past ten years that were in the running for this position. Some may say three, but Asdrubal Cabrera was brought up as a starter at second base, so he's excluded. Instead, the energy focuses on the guy who opened the decade at the position, and the guy who closed it out. John McDonald really put a stamp as the utility infielder from the Tribe from 2000-2004, while Jamey Carroll took over the role in 2008 and 2009. Both were fantastic infielders, but where they differed in two key areas. Carroll had far superior offense, and also had more opportunity to play. McDonald played 2nd, 3rd and short, while Carroll only played 2nd and 3b, while spending some time in the outfield. Still, Carroll's offense made takes him over the top. The All-Aught Indians back-up infielder is Jamey Carroll.

McDonald really had become the poster of what the Indians hunt for every year in a utility infielder. The issue with McDonald really turned out to be his durability. From 2000-2001, and then again in 2003, an injury would keep McDonald from performing at the top of his game, and ultimately, cost him this slot.

Carroll really was subtle excellence at the position. Carroll played both second and third for the Tribe, and could be the Indians Super-Utility player, since he played the corner outfield positions as well. Still, his excellent defense at all infield positions, plus his offense made him stand above McDonald.

Carroll immediately played dividends for the Indians when they signed him to a deal in 2008. Asdrubal Cabrera had started with the Indians in 2007, but would start the season with the Tribe for the first time in 2008. He struggled, and Carroll stepped in and started when the Indians would send Cabrera to Buffalo for much of June and July. He would make 66 starts at second for on the season. He would also make 18 starts at third base. Overall, his fielding percentage was .970+, and .990 at second base. Offensively, Carroll would smoke the ball after May, rolling out a .298 average. He would have a four-hit game, and end the season with a nine-game hit streak. He would end the season with a .277 average, and seven stolen bases. More than solid numbers for a utility guy.

Carroll had a similar story in 2009, just without as much opportunity. He would hit .276 in a few less at bats. His OBP was .355 for the second season in a row, and in a sorry season, was one of the few who consistently performed.

Carroll is never going to be THE guy in any line-up. What he is though, is the heartbeat of a team. Here's a guy who probably doesn't have many more tools as a ballplayer as you or I, but obviously works hard to be where he is. He's the epitome of what a utility player is. He's the glue that holds together a team. Unfortunately for the Tribe, there was more glue than team.

Carroll capped off his career with the Indians by winning the Frank Gibbons/Steve Olin Good Guy Award winner.

Like many Indians before him, Carroll's performance with the Tribe in the Aughts would ultimately price himself out of the Tribe's range. Carroll would ultimately sign on with the Dodgers as their utility guy, but not before we send Carroll off with his reward as the all-aught utility infielder for the Indians.

Indians' Jamey Carroll auditioning for postseason work

The Cleveland Indians are dumping salary, and Jamey Carroll is looking for his first class ticket out of town. Carroll emphasized his point today in going 2-5 with a double, homer and three RBI, as the Indians took 2 of 3 from the second place Chicago White Sox.

With two on and two out in the fifth inning, and the Indians trailing 3-2, Carroll hit a laser down the left field off of Jose Contreras. The double scored both runners and gave the Indians a 4-3 lead they would never relinquish. Carroll capitalized on his double with a lead-off, solo shot in the seventh inning, to give the Indians a 6-3 lead.

The win makes it four of five wins for the Indians, who are playing like a house of fire now that they really are playing for nothing.

Don't tell that to Carroll, who is most definitely playing for a shot at the series, albeit with another team. Carroll, a free agent at the end of the year, could bring the Indians something for nothing. The Indians have no shot at signing Carroll as a utility next year since he makes too much money. Anything they get for him would be icing on the cake at this point. Carroll doesn't believe he'll be dealt, or at least that's what he wants everyone to believe. When asked about being traded after Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez were traded, he said,

"I guess I fit into that category, but usually when trades are made at this time of the year it's for a guy who comes in and plays. You've got Mark DeRosa, Carl Pavano, Victor Martinez. Everybody already has me, a utility player."

Carroll is exactly what teams need. Not only can he play nearly every position, but he can give you quality at bats as a starter over long stretches. After today's performance, don't be surprised to see Carroll playing somewhere else in the near future.

Isn't tomorrow an off day?

After Carroll, look for two other Indians to get a look before the postseason rosters have to be set on September 1st.
Kerry Wood's massive contract doesn't make any sense for a team that
doesn't figure to contend next year. There aren't many teams contending
that need a closer, but he could be the icing on the cake for a team
that needs a quality, back-end arm. I'm sure Wood wants to go somewhere
else as well. Kelly Shoppach is also a guy that seems to be on his way
out the door. Tampa Bay recently made a deal via waivers for Gregg Zaun
of the Orioles. I'm not sure what that means with regards to Shoppach's
availability or lack thereof, but I'm sure the Indians are either
talking to a team that claimed him, or searching for a team to deal if
he cleared waivers.

Can you trade a manager?  I suppose someone would have to want him...wouldn't they.