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Shapiro signs a closer, but rest of wish list remains
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Dec 25, 2008
Through little fault of his own, Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro is on the verge of being targeted by second-guessers and frustrated fans for a failure to make good on implied promises in the offseason.
As outlined to the Northeast Ohio sporting public many weeks ago, Shapiro listed his offseason wish: a closer plus an additional reliever or two, an infielder — preferably a third baseman — and a starting pitcher.
Maybe wish list isn't a strong enough word. After all, Shapiro wasn't going to look out his window every night, waiting for these players to fall from the sky. He expressed a determination to accomplish each of these goals through free-agent purchases or trades.
As has happened in previous years, it appears that what Shapiro wants isn't necessarily what he will get. The marketplace, a sparse supply of players at certain positions, more budgetary restraint than usual caused by our sinking economy and the presence of a couple of major-population-centered franchises have conspired to foil Shapiro's grand design.
But at least he achieved Priority No. 1: obtaining a closer. Barring another arm injury — and Kerry Wood has undergone the knife for both shoulder and elbow ailments — the former Chicago Cubs pitcher should strengthen the back end of the bullpen.
Yes, $20.5 million is a lot of cash for a guy who until last year appeared to be yet another promising power starter whose career went in the toilet because of injuries. But being sent to the bullpen to pitch one inning at a time instead of seven or eight seems to have revived Wood's career.
There always is a risk with pitchers, of course. More so when that pitcher has been cut open as often as Wood. But maybe Shapiro and the fans should look at it this way: He's like an old Chevy that has had its engine block, transmission and exhaust system replaced. Those new parts should last awhile.
Shapiro also traded for a guy named Smith, which probably is the way most fans referred to him when they learned of the deal. If Smith isn't the name of a reliever destined to be ignored, how about Joe Smith? Even worse.
Yet, Smith appears to be a talented sidearming right-hander, who can jump into the mix of pitchers who will help hold the line in the seventh inning or later, especially against right-handed batters.
But as Shapiro said when he announced the signing of Wood, there is more work to do. The question is whether the team has the resources to get it done and whether there are viable candidates for the GM to chase.
The longer the winter drags on, the more it appears that Shapiro will not be able to reel in an impact third baseman. Once Casey Blake re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shapiro's options became drastically limited.
Yes, he might have snatched Blake from the Dodgers by matching their three-year contract. But Shapiro is hoping that Wes Hodges completes his prep work in the minors and can win the everyday third-base job next year, or the year after that at the latest.
What then would the GM do with Blake, versatile though he is? In 2010, the Indians probably will have multiple options at first base and in left and right field, Blake's other positions.
Shapiro has spoken often about the outfield depth, abetted by talented players in the farm system. The three he mentions most are Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley and Trevor Crowe. Even if only one of them makes the team in 2010, it would be difficult to justify paying Blake $6 million or more.
Maybe you want Shapiro to court Joe Crede. I don't. Aside from him, there is hardly anyone available that makes sense for the Tribe.
That means Jhonny Peralta probably will move from short to third — a move I don't like — Asdrubal Cabrera will be shifted from second to short, and manager Eric Wedge will re-introduce himself to Josh Barfield, the forgotten man. It's also not out of the question that Shapiro will find a free-agent second baseman.
What's wrong with Peralta playing third? Maybe nothing. Can he be any worse at third than he has been at short, because of his limited range? The answer is yes. Playing third doesn't require much range, but it does demand highly developed reflexes. I've never seen that in Peralta. Moreover, it is a new position for an infielder who has been exclusively a shortstop. And Shapiro let it slip that Peralta is not enamored with switching positions.
But given the circumstances and unless you want to see Andy Marte play every day, there isn't much choice at this point.
Finding a starting pitcher also looks less than promising. The Tribe was not going to be a player for Derek Lowe or Jake Peavy, Ben Sheets or A.J. Burnett. So who is left? Raise your hand if you want Carl Pavano, Mark Mulder, Odalis Perez, Jon Garland or even Andy Pettitte, who is being pursued by the New York Yankees.
The big question: How certain is it that any of these veterans will be more productive than Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Scott Lewis and Anthony Reyes? No, I don't know, either, and I'm not sure I want to invest relatively large dollars to conduct the experiment.
Moreover, Jake Westbrook, who joined the large group of Tommy John elbow surgery alumni six months ago, might be back in the rotation a little earlier than anticipated, possibly by early June, though that is hardly assured.
So that's the deal. Shapiro has made good on his goal to upgrade the bullpen, but there are serious doubts that he will be able to do the same for the infield and the rotation, which might not need help, anyway.
Regardless of the built-in handicaps, Shapiro probably will hear it from the fans and some members of the media, even though there was little else he reasonably could have done. On the other hand, if the Indians win early and often, nobody will remember that the GM failed to offer CC Sabathia a $200 million contract to keep him from signing with the Yankees.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
Through little fault of his own, Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro is on the verge of being targeted by second-guessers and frustrated fans for a failure to make good on implied promises in the offseason.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:36 AM, 12/25/2008
Cheapskate Grinch Lerner's Indians havn't improved at all this offseason so far. They still need a defensive SS, 3B, and an offensive OF plus at least one more veteran starter to compete. Ain't gonna happen. Tribe fans will be disappointed again.
How about Lebron's Yankees? Spent $480 million in the offseason for veteran all star talents and still spending. Oh well, I guess us long suffering Tribe fans can only dream of the playoffs and a championship while the Yankees win them.
Merry Christmas to one and all except that Cheapskate Grinch Lerner.
Posted 09:07 AM, 12/25/2008
The Yankees can spen all they want. Still don't see them going to the series this year grump. And how can you possibly think Dolan or anyone can outspend the Yankees?
By the way, Learner owns the Browns you bafoon. Have some eggnog before the rum next time you hit the keyboard.
Larsen, WI
Posted 10:03 AM, 12/25/2008
You'll have to excuse OMG, he hasnt been the same since his mommy dropped him on his head.
Naples, FL
Posted 11:02 AM, 12/25/2008
OMG The fact is the Tribe's season was destroyed last year by the bullpen. They scored plenty of runs and the defense was good enough. Could this team be better, sure but the biggest weakness has been strengthened considerably with Wood and Smith. Having Choo and Ben starting from day one will be a huge lift. The Tribe will be fine in '09 even without any more additions. Merry Christmas.
Posted 11:16 AM, 12/25/2008
I agree with voice of reason; The Yanks still won't pull it off. As for the tribe, well, you can only do so much, but not retaining proven talent (and the list is endless), creates many empty seats at the ballpark. Why try to save, when your efforts to save are making you lose even more money....just my views....
Posted 05:58 PM, 12/25/2008
i especially hate the idea of peralta at 3B. if he could play 3B, don't you think they would have moved him there while we still had omar and were playing bill frickin' selby at 3B?
why is no one even mentioning the idea of moving peralta to 2B instead? he can play deeper with the shorter throw to 1B and the only major requirement is being able to turn the pivot on the double play. the only hint is peralta's reluctance to go to 3B; SS is the premier defensive position in the infield, and the latin culture sees it a little differently when you have to take a step down, so to speak.
we have a surplus of young left handed starters. i doubt that we would field more than 3 total in a starting rotation and we've already got cliff lee. so we do have some depth if a trade could be engineered. but a lot depends on hafner coming back.
Posted 12:47 PM, 12/26/2008
The Tribe didn't improve itself last year via the free agent market, because there was nothing in it worth buying. Nevertheless, several morons continuously posted comments throughout the season attacking the Dolans for not buying any of the mediocrities available.
I'm sure those same morons will be repeating the same nonsense this year.
Posted 05:21 PM, 12/27/2008
wow actually wrote more then 1 sentence and it looks like it was lost in cyber space. it's the readers loss, i am sure!!!
Posted 06:47 PM, 12/27/2008
Texeira and Sabathia and Burnett and Manny are all mediocre?
