Coming full-circle with the Indians Kerry Wood

On a team like the Cleveland Indians, closer Kerry Wood is an extravagance. The Tribe is in the midst of a rebuild and carrying any player on your roster that makes $10.5 million doesn't make any sense, let alone one that pitches an inning every few days.

The rumors of Kerry Wood's demise (or being set free, if you prefer) have been rampant since the Indians season ended. With most rumors, there's really no substance behind it other than the fact that Cleveland is trying to cut payroll. Wood has an option year in 2011 worth a potential $11 million tacked on to the $10.5 million he's set to earn in 2010. The option year becomes vested if Wood can find a way to finish 55 games in 2010.

To put the 55 games into perspective, Wood pitched in 56 games last year and finished 50 of them. Granted, the Cleveland Indians didn't exactly give Wood an opportunity to pitch in an optimum amount of games. In 2008 with the Cubs, who made the playoffs that year, Wood pitched in 65 games, and finished 56 of those games. He also missed nearly a month because of an injury. Will the Indians give him an opportunity to finish 55 games next year? That's certainly debatable, but it's distinctly possible. Like Carl Pavano this past season, the Indians may try and deal Wood prior to meeting the vested option, but that's for later in our little discussion.

The real question here is whether or not the Indians should keep the 32-year-old fireballer. Wood finished with a 4.25 ERA and 20 saves. He was particularly effective in August and September with more regular work. The lefty only saved six games during this time period, and blew only one save. He gave up five earned runs, and saw his ERA drop a run. Unfortunately for Wood and the Indians, the club was busy losing most of those games, so Wood didn't get a chance to save many of them, coming in after the Indians were already done for. With work, Kerry Wood is a very good closer. Funny thing is, he's exactly what the Indians had been looking for prior to last year.

Of course, the Indians and the bullpen in front of Wood imploded, and his numbers likely suffered because of it. Now, this wheedled-down ball-club has no visible chance to do a lot of winning next year, and the pitching staff is in disarray. There's nothing above a #3 starter, and the #3's are inconsistent, as are all the Tribe pitchers. The bullpen was terrible last year, and even though there is a bunch of young hurlers that should be good, it will take some work. Then there's the anchor, Kerry Wood.

Losing Wood at this juncture could completely destabilize a bullpen struggling to find its identity. Placing Wood at the back-end for 2010 should give the Tribe the ability to allow the young arms to continue to find an identity, in particular with Tim Belcher and Scott Radinsky entering the fray as pitching and bullpen coach respectively. The Indians do have a group of potentially dominating relievers with the closer skill-set, but could be put in that set-up role. Tony Sipp, Chris Perez, Jess Todd, Jensen Lewis and Rafael Perez have all shown promise at one time or another. Perez is the aged member of this staff at 27, with Lewis, Sipp and Joe Smith coming in at 26. Perez and Todd, the newcomers in deals last year are both going to be 24. This could be a very good pen.

The irony of this line of thinking is that stabilizing the bullpen should improve Wood's numbers, which in turn, should make him a much more valuable commodity at the deadline. I still say that the Indians should really think long and hard before dealing the 6'5" hurler. Shapiro's goal was to win in 2011, and a vital piece of that puzzle will be a closer. Just what the Indians need, to get to 2011 and have to throw someone new into the fray at closer. Don't get me wrong, there are options both in the organization and out of it...but if Wood is doing the job, why mess around. Cleveland's done enough of that over the past 61 years, since the Indians and Lou Boudreau won the last World Series in Cleveland.

Of course, Wood would have to have a stellar season in 2010 for any of this to come to fruittion. The Indians would have to follow suit, and at least give a glimpse of having the potential to win in 2011. The Bullpen would have to line up nicely, and to do that, the Tribe would have to find some sort of semblance of a starting rotation. Even if all that happens, Cleveland will still likely try and find a suitor for Kerry Wood and his millions.

It's ironic, when you think about it. For years, the Indians needed starting pitching and a closer. Now that they are rebuilding, they are likely to deal two Cy Young award winners and a closer that throws 95+.

Back to square one...I suppose...

Indians slow hot-stove season has luke-warm possibilities

Can the Indians make a splash during the '09 Hot Stove season? The easy answer is no, since the Indians quite obviously can't pony up enough money for anyone of consequence. There is still some room for the Indians to make a couple of moves that could bring the Tribe a player or two of consequence.

Of course, everyone is talking about the Indians listening to offers for Kerry Wood. Personally, I would keep him. The Indians struggle every year to put together a bullpen. I know Wood is an extravagance at this point, but at the same time, I think that Cleveland would be smart to keep Wood in the anchor and allow the young arms of Chris and Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp, Jensen Lewis and Jess Todd to settle into their roles. Then, perhaps in 2011, if the Indians can actually use the option to keep Wood at the back-end, or let him go on his merry way.

Jhonny Peralta is also a candidate to move, although you would have to think that the Manny Acta hire will perhaps keep the Indians from making a quick decision on the struggling third baseman. Peralta has nearly a full season under his belt, has a new manager that might actually like him, and could rebound. If the Tribe does get an offer for him, they should listen, even if it is a prospect. Let Andy Marte take his slot and move Peralta. With Lonnie Chisenhall coming along in the program about to enter double A, and with Wes Hodges sneaking around at triple A Columbus, there are other options for the Indians at the position. As Tony Lastoria pointed out early in October, Wes Hodges may have more to offer than people are giving him credit for. I wouldn't expect much in a deal straight up for Peralta, but there could be something there should a team ask. Of course, with Peralta, the Tribe would be selling low.

The most intriguing deal that could happen involves Travis Hafner. Yes, Hafner has been injury-prone, and yes, Hafner makes a whole bunch of money not well spent. That said, Hafner showed improvement as the year progressed last year. Should a team have a high need for power at the DH position because of injury or if they are a piece away, the Tribe could get offers for their slugging DH. A deal for Hafner likely wouldn't come until the All-Star break, and only if he's playing well. That said, the potential is there, and under the current situation, the Indians will assuredly listen. Of course, to take on that albatross of a contract would be insane for any club with the potential for injury.

Then there is Kelly Shoppach, who will likely be non-tendered in the offseason. If I were Cleveland, I'd move Shoppach prior to the rule-V draft and pick up some low-level talent that you don't have to protect. I'm sure the Indians are talking with teams about Shoppach, but using a spot on the 40-man roster is a mistake. Move him now, and take whatever you can get for him.

Will the Indians make a trade? It's not likely, but there are deals to be made should teams get desperate. There's no doubt that the Indians aren't desperate, and no, that's not a good thing.

Off to play some catch with the son while the temperature is still over 70 degrees. You have to love these Indians Summers...;)

Mark Shapiro's coaching conclave gives Indians faithful black smoke

Another weekend goes by in the early part of the hot stove season, and the Cleveland Indians still only have a manager and a pitching coach to lead them. In a normal baseball town, with a normal front office, this would seem strange. The Indians fired Wedge before the end of the season, had a manager in place prior to the World Series, and hired Tim Belcher relatively quickly. It was believed the the Indians would start rolling out their staff, even given the statement that the staff wouldn't be finished until the early part of December. Of course, on the North Shore, Mark Shapiro runs his front office much like the Cardinals conclave in choosing a new pope. Thus far, Shapiro's secret meetings have only given off the black smoke of no choices made yet.

Let's put some perspective on the process, shall we?

The Indians hired their coach, Manny Acta, on May 25th. He was the first coach officially hired for next season, and it was no doubt a pre-emptive strike to keep the Astros from hiring him. The Astros, who had two solid candidates at the top of their list, hired Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills two days later, on May 27th, to take over their top slot.

The Astros then went on the offensive. Al Pedrique was hired three days later to take over the bench coaching duties for Mills. They had interviewed Pedrique for their manager's slot, and Mills thought highly of him. That same day, the Astros extended an invitation to Sean Berry to remain their hitting coach and Dave Clark to remain as their third base coach. Clark had replaced Cecil Cooper as interim coach, and was the third candidate behind Acta and Mills to stay on as manager. All three had been in contact with Mills since the hiring. Even later that same day, the Astros hired Bobby Meacham as their first base coach. Meacham is a friend of Mills, and had coached with him several times in the minors. Following the Meacham hire, the Astros announced that they had hired Brad Arnsberg as their pitching coach. Arnsberg had pitched for Mills in triple A several years prior, and they had remained good friends since. Arnsberg had been the Blue Jays pitching coach the previous five seasons. The final piece of the puzzle was hired the following week, when they announced Jamie Quirk as their bullpen coach.

A complete staff to move the team ahead during the offseason.

The Indians have hired Tim Belcher.

I'm not saying you need to hire a staff quickly. I'm not even saying that the Astros necessarily hired the right people. What I AM saying is that there seems to be decision makers in Houston, while Mark Shapiro is pouring out the black smoke from his conclave meeting. I wouldn't say Shapiro is indecisive, but you can certainly question his decision-making process. Let's not forget that the Acta hire came after Houston had not only offered him the job, but had spent the night trying to sign him.

As for who the Indians are looking at for their coaching jobs, your guess is as good as mine. There was a boatload of speculation that the Tribe was looking at Clippers hitting coach Joe Nunnally for the same position in Cleveland, that Torey Lovullo would be brought up as the third base coach, and that Clippers pitching coach Scott Radinsky is also being looked at as a possibility as the Tribe bullpen coach. With Belcher, that would give the main Acta Lieutenants a distinct Shapiro flavor. The Indians would then likely hire outside the club for a bench coach. I can't imagine this would be possible with the Shapiro, Dolan and the Indians front office making statements about looking outside the organization for their staff. Of course, as we wait for the white smoke of movement from the Shapiro conclave, this could be Shapiro's way of hiring "outside" the organization. Grab a coach that has your philosophy, then hire the rest of the staff from the minors. This could be Shapiro's dream team of coaches.

Of course, where did Belcher come from? So, the coaching staff could be up in the air until December. B3 will be waiting outside the Sistine Chapel watching the smoke signals until then.

The Omar Vizquel Pipedream

According to several sources, Omar Vizquel won't be returning to the Texas Rangers during the upcoming 2010 season. Since the announcement on Wednesday, the Indians rumor wagons have begun circling around the idea that Vizquel might be returning to the reservation. Indians.com scribe, Anthony Castrovince, even mentioned it today on MLB.com.
Signing the 42-year old, 21-year major league veteran would make a lot of sense for the Indians in many aspects. Not only could Vizquel fill the role of utility infielder that Jamey Carroll is vacating, but he could also help boost a fan base that is ready to lynch the Dolans and Mark Shapiro for decimating a team that was one game away from the World Series in 2007. There's only one real problem:

The Cleveland Indians will not sign Omar Vizquel for what is likely his last season in the bigs.

First and foremost, reports out of Vizquel's camp have expressed an interest for the future hall-of-famer to end his career playing for a "premier team." The thinking is that Omar would like one more run into the playoffs before he retires and begins his countdown to the hall. While I would like to think that the Indians could surprise some and sneak in next season while nobody's looking...well...it's not going to happen. I couldn't imagine Omar, regardless of his love for the city of Cleveland, choosing Cleveland over a potential playoff team.

You also have to take into account that this move makes almost too much sense! There is no doubt that signing the beloved shortstop would immediately lessen the anger and hatred that most of Cleveland is feeling towards the Indians' front office. Vizquel is another one of those players from the Indians' resurrection years of the 1990's and early 2000's. In many ways, Vizquel was the backbone during the glory years, and bringing him back would give Progressive Field a "gentle" bump in attendance. He also is more than capable of playing more than just shortstop. Last year, he played 200 innings at short for the Rangers, but also logged more than 100 innings each at third and second base. How many errors did he have at any position? You guessed it...none.

Unfortunately, Mark Shapiro rarely makes the obvious move, and often can't pull the trigger on the right move. I'm certainly not conceited enough to believe that the internet buzz should generate Mark Shapiro's moves. In this day and age of fantasy baseball, many fans fall into that category. The rumor banter can get quite interesting, to say the least. With that said, there are a few moves that are talked about each year that goes beyond numbers, and goes beyond money. This would be one of them. It does make sense to a part of the game in Cleveland that has disappeared with the dismemberment of the 90's team, followed by the the 2007 team...the heart. No, I'm not throwing down the sentimental garbage that rolled out of the cornfield in Field of Dreams. I'm talking about looking past the numbers at a player that would fill a need in a rebuild year, and mend some fences at the same time. I think this type of thinking is beyond Shapiro.

No, you don't build teams based on "heart." You can, however, bring in a veteran that not only will be a positive role-model to the youngsters in the Tribe clubhouse, but will give you error-less play at 2nd, 3rd, and of course, short. It certainly doesn't hurt that we'd catch glimpses of his 11 years of spectacular play.

Like I said, it's all beyond Shapiro and his predominant-numbers way of thinking.

There are downsides to this. I'm not blind. There would be some worry with regards to Vizquel's age. He'll be 43 this year, and that's certainly not any spring chicken with regards to playing in the bigs. Even in a diminished utility role, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that Vizquel isn't built to last an entire year. He only found himself playing in 62 games last year, logging in his most consistent time in September at 3B after Michael Young strained his hamstring.

Jamey Carroll played in 113 games his first year with the Tribe, and 93 his second year. He also found himself platooning a bit with Luis Valbuena. I'm not sure Omar is that guy.

In other words, you can't count on Omar for a significant amount of playing time.

To make a long story short, don't count on Omar returning to the place he called home for 11-years. He no doubt will be looking at potential playoff teams to sign with. Rumors are already beginning to circulate that Boston might be interested in Vizquel in a limited role as well.

Let's face facts here tribefan, do we really want to stick Vizquel on the product that Cleveland is going to field in 2010? Do we really want to scar him for life? Thanks for the 11-years Omar, but it's time for you to get your last chance with a team that won't be fighting for the cellar.

You deserve better.

And so it goes: The Indians add another name to the equation

The Cleveland Indians continue their head-scratching methodology in their hunt for a manager with the potential news that the Indians have been given permission by the Angels to talk to Ron Roenicke about their manager position.

Huh? What?

Where did this guy come from?

Okay, let me start off by saying that Roenicke actually might be a good fit with the Indians. He's been with the Angels as both a third base coach, and a bench coach for the past ten years. He's been Mike Sciosca's bench coach for the past four seasons.

Now, what does a bench coach do exactly? Call him the manager's executive assistant. This is the guy that fills in all the holes. In general, two types of guys have this job. The first would be a Mike Hargrove or a Don Zimmer. He'd be the guy that mentors you, keeps you level, and has been through every situation ten times or so. He's not necesarily looking for a top spot, but could take over in a pinch. The other type is the up and comer, like Roenicke and Don Mattingly, who served at Joe Torre's bench coach in New York, before becoming his batting coach in LA. This is the guy that is being groomed to manage. Enter Roenicke, who was interviewed for the Dodgers position back in 2004. He didn't get the job, so Scioscia eventually moved him to his bench coach position, likely helping him take his next step.

He is the type of guy that's been missing here in Cleveland. He's a risk-taker, and in the lines of Valentine, not a guy that needs to look at Sabermetrics to make a decision, a lot Wedge, Shapiro and Manny Acta. In other words, he's an old school manager. Now, just for the sake of this discussion, who were the final four teams? Yeah, these were the teams that had high payrolls. These were also managers, Joe Torre, Mike Scioscia, Charlie Manuel and Joe Girardi, that coached the game based on the old school mantra. Some do it more than others (Girardi can be a numbers guy, but does come from that old school mentality that you take a pitcher out when he's struggling, not necesarily for a match-up), but you get the point.

Roenicke would likely steal more bases, take more baserunning chances, and really get this team going. In other words, he'd be a good choice, in the lines of Bobby Valentine.

So, why the head-scratching? Where did this come from? Roenicke was in the top 11 picks, so it's been said, but wasn't mentioned as a top two candidate. Was he one of the other two guys that Shapiro mentioned a couple of days ago, that would come into play if the other four didn't pan out? Is he the fourth, and the mention of Don Mattingly was just plain wrong. Remember, Shapiro hasn't said a word about who the fourth guy was.

Likely, it's just Shapiro being Shapiro. In other words, it's a big, giant secret, that will likely end up locked away in Area 51...with all the other aliens.

What's the positive here? At least Cleveland isn't jumping the gun and hiring a guy like Acta because Houston is also looking at him. I know Acta seems smart and knows about the young guys. I know Acta made a mysterious little comment about having been in contact with the Indians organization for a month or more (how about that Wedgie-poo), and I know he had a good presser.

That said, I'm not sure you go out and hire a guy that lost a whole lot just because he sounds like he knows what's what. As my Dad said...if it looks like dog crap, and smells like dog crap, I don't care how many times you try and convince yourself it's not dog crap...well...it's still dog crap.

So...here comes another day...now WITH TWO candidates left to talk to. And so it goes...and so it goes...

The Tribe Final Four?

The Indians and Mark Shapiro are currently focusing their search efforts on four candidates to take over for former manager Eric Wedge: Manny Acta, Bobby Valentine, Torey Lovullo and Don Mattingly. Each truly poses interesting questions.

Acta was fired by the worst baseball team in the league last season. Is he a worthwhile candidate who is motived by the "Saber" side of the game, or is he scrap from a team full of, well, no potential.

Valentine is known to be popular in both the clubhouse and the media, although he rubs every front office the wrong way whereever he's gone. Is this guy the motivator that many have given him credit for, or is he just a guy who can get a couple of good years out of his club before wearing his welcome thin?

Lovullo knows every single minor league player on this club, having coached them at one point or another during his previous seasons in the Tribe's minor league system. So, do we want another Eric Wedge or what? I almost feel bad for the guy.

Mattingly, who carries many of the same traits as Eric Wedge (aside the fact he was a tremendous player), would bring the Torre book to the Indians. Of course, the Yankees thought so much of him, that they stepped over him when Torre stepped down. Like Lovullo, he's never managed a game, and do we need a guy similar to Wedge who has never managed a game? Sounds a bit like Lovullo, doesn't it.

Shapiro has also been rambling on about a couple of more candidates that he may bring into the process. I'm not sure if this is someone currently coaching in the playoffs (like Mattingly), or if Shapiro just has to keep his hand shrouded in mystery. I'd bet on the latter, as Shapiro has taken this "secrecy" business to a whole new level.

It appears as though Travis Fryman and Mike Hargrove are out of the running, although both appear to be in the running for coaching jobs with the Tribe after the top post is filled.

It should be an interesting ride...

Who's the next Tribe Skipper?

With John Farrell out of the picture, is there really a manager candidate that sets anyone on fire? Did Farrell set anyone on fire, for that matter. Remember, he hasn't ever managed before, and his previous staffs in Boston happen to be some of the best pitchers money can buy.

Bobby Valentine likely heads the list, and does bring some serious cred to the job, but is almost more known for his antics than his managing. Is he prepared to build a team, which he has been proven to have done in the past, or is he at an age where winning now is a premium? He has declined to talk about the job, which usually means he's in play. Mike Hargrove would also fit in this list, and wants to bookend his managing career with another gig in Cleveland, but Grover also brings several questions, least of which is the fact that he quit in Seattle. Ned Yost, Clint Hurdle, and Manny Acta are also managers from other clubs that might get a look, even though they've been recently canned from their prior job.

Minor League skippers Torey Lovullo of the Clippers and Travis Fryman of the Scrappers should also get looks at the head job, buy may either not be ready, or not far enough from Wedge for anyone's liking...Luvullo in particular. Fryman might be the fresh face the team needs, but brings several questions to the table with regards to readiness.

Of course, Tribe fans are in the dark because of the Shapiro Death-Squad mentality and super-secret...well...secrets.

More on this over the next several days, as the rumors continue to swirl in Tribeland...

Jake Westbrook: 2010 opening day starter, or another year-long DL stint?

How bad are the Indians going to be in 2010? Mark Shapiro is already lining up Jake Westbrook to be the opening day starter in 2010. No offense to you Jake Westbrook, but...what?!?

Jake Westbrook isn't a bad starter. As a matter of fact, he's far from it. You could make a case that during his tenure as a healthy Indians' starter, he's been the most consistent pitcher not named Sabathia to wear the Indians' jersey since the days of Chuck Nagy. Westbrook pitched just over 900 innings from 2003 and 2007, making 143 starts during that span. His ERA was slightly over 4.00, and he went 57-53 during that span. There's no doubt that Westbrook had become a prototypical #3 or #4 starter. He was an innings-eater who could win games when needed.

Now, after over a year off, Shapiro is proclaiming Westbrook to be the opening day starter in 2010. Okay, I get that Westbrook is a pitbull onthe mound, has tenure, and has been unhittable in spring training over the past couple of years when healthy. But do you really want to throw that comment out there with Westbrook not nearly recovered from Tommy John surgery? I'm sure Justin Masterson and Fausto Carmona are just thrilled with the news.

In fairness to Mr. Mark Shapiro, he did say "if he's healthy" after making the initial comment. In equal fairness, he also made the comment before Westbrook was pulled from his latest start with double A Akron last night. I'll get to that in a minute.

In case you were wondering, Jake Westbrook hasn't made a start since May 28th, 2008. In case you were wondering more, he hasn't made back-to-back starts since April 14th and April 19th, 2008. Either Westbrook is a future Cy Young award winner for Shapiro to proclaim him the opening day guy in 2010, or the Indians' pitching is going to be utter garbage. Call this the irony of waiting so many years for solid pitching, only two trade off two Cy Young award winners in back-to-back years.

Enter Westbrook, who missed most of 2008 and all of 2009 so far because of Tommy John surgery. As mentioned before, Westbrook was pulled from his start on Sunday because of a sore elbow. It's not known whether or not the soreness is the regular process of recovering from Tommy John surgery, or something much more dramatic, such as the need for another surgery. Either way, it puts a rather large cloud over whether or not he can start on opening day, oh, say seven months from now.

The hope here is that this soreness for Westbrook is a normal elbow issue and that he finishes out the season with a flourish. Let's hope he follows it with a spring like a couple of years ago, and earns that opening day starter's job.

Leave the game-day decisions to the manager Mr. Shapiro, and keep your idiotic comments to yourself. Oh, wait, Wedge is still the running this team? 

Nevermind.

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.