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See Jane Style:
With closer signed, Shapiro looks to fill other gaps
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Friday, Dec 19, 2008
CLEVELAND: The Indians paraded Kerry Wood and his wife, Sarah, in front of the media Thursday at Progressive Field, with General Manager Mark Shapiro calling the former Chicago Cubs right-hander the most important piece of the offseason puzzle.
Inasmuch as Wood has made 12 trips to the disabled list that include time spent rehabilitating serious elbow and shoulder injuries, Shapiro was asked about the risk of handing Wood at least $20.5 million for the next two seasons.
''After weighing the risks,'' Shapiro said, ''We feel that Kerry has a chance to be one of the dominant closers in the American League.
''Getting a closer was our No. 1 priority for a reason. And we have a guy who can be our closer from Day 1. I don't think we could have done anything more significant for our team.''
That said, Shapiro set out to accomplish other tasks: finding an infielder to play either second base or third and acquiring a starting pitcher, but not just any starting pitcher.
Yet, as the winter has progressed, both of these goals have become increasingly elusive, and Shapiro concedes that his alternatives are limited in both areas.
In terms of starting pitchers, Shapiro said, ''We have to be realistic. There are few guys out there who can make an impact, and we have a lot of options. We have six or seven starters to fill three spots. And if we go outside, I want someone whose upside is beyond what our internal alternatives would be.''
Free agents Ben Sheets and Derek Lowe meet that requirement, but both are expected to sign multiyear deals for mega millions. If Shapiro had chased them — and there is no guarantee either would have signed with the Tribe — he would not have had the cash to sign a closer.
''With Derek Lowe wanting $13 million, or whatever, would we be [a player]? Probably not,'' Shapiro said.
Consequently, when spring training begins, it is likely that the primary competitors for the third through fifth spots in the rotation will be Anthony Reyes, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Scott Lewis and Zach Jackson. Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona will be starters No. 1 and No. 2.
The quest to replace Casey Blake, who signed a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, probably isn't much better, though Shapiro said there are a few options at third.
However, because regular second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera is an excellent shortstop and everyday shortstop Jhonny Peralta is learning to play third in winter ball, Shapiro can mix and match his infielders and go shopping for a free-agent second baseman or even a shortstop.
''In a worst-case scenario, we can go to spring training with Josh Barfield, Jamey Carroll and Luis Valbuena, and that would not be a terrible alternative,'' Shapiro said. ''Josh still has upside, and Valbuena could be ready to help sometime during the season. But I'm not saying we're going with those three.''
Since Cabrera took away Barfield's job in the middle of 2007, Barfield has been the forgotten man. Valbuena was obtained last week in the deal that sent Franklin Gutierrez to the Seattle Mariners but is regarded as needing more experience in the minors. Carroll was signed to be the utility infielder last season but ended up as a virtual regular.
Shapiro indicated that playing third might not fit Peralta's aspirations.
''He's made it clear he wants to be a shortstop,'' Shapiro said. ''We still regard him as our shortstop. But I think he understands the situation.''
Because of the depressed economy, many general managers will have less money to work with in anticipation of hard times to come. That includes Shapiro, though it does not appear he will take a major hit.
''We have a similar approach this year but with a little more caution,'' he said.
How much does he anticipate spending? ''I would be surprised if it's lower than what we finished with last season, but it will be less than what we started the season with,'' he said.
The Tribe actually spent about $76 million on its 40-man roster. At the outset of the schedule, the team was looking at contracts worth about $80 million.
The plus side
Wood does not anticipate wanting to be a starter again.
''Closing is something I can do, and I feel great,'' he said. ''Being a starter and throwing 120 pitches [a game] and 220 innings [a season] is not realistic for me. . . . I'm going to do this as long as I can.''
Arm strength there
Wood was one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the big leagues when he began his career with the Cubs 10 years ago. But despite a laundry list of injuries, his fastball still registers in the mid-90s on a radar gun.
''My stuff is probably not where it was when I was 20,'' he said. ''But it's not too far off.''
Communication gap
Phenom catcher Carlos Santana tore up minor-league pitching last season, but as a novice catcher, he still needs work. And that includes speaking to his teammates.
''He's taking English lessons and has a tutor in the Dominican Republic,'' Shapiro said. ''That is something he has to work on.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
CLEVELAND: The Indians paraded Kerry Wood and his wife, Sarah, in front of the media Thursday at Progressive Field, with General Manager Mark Shapiro calling the former Chicago Cubs right-hander the most important piece of the offseason puzzle.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:32 AM, 12/19/2008
Unless they sign another veteran starter plus fill the open defensive SS, OF, and 3B lineup spots it really doesn't matter. Wood is a project who has had so many injuries over the past 5 seasons that it seems like a waste Dolan money to sign him. If Hafner doesn't come back, then what? So far it's not looking good again for us Tribe fans.
Posted 07:30 PM, 12/20/2008
The Tribe will be lucky to be .500 next year. Only reason because of weak Central division or else they would be worse. They stunk last year with great starting pitching and a bad bullpen. Now they have bad starting pitching(except lee and carmona and lee won't be as good next year) and possibly a good bullpen. The Cavs are our only hope and possibly OSU football next year(but i doubt it)
