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Most significant change is in second spot, which Cabrera, Michaels share
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Friday, Mar 28, 2008
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: Lineups are made to be changed; as Eric Wedge likes to say, ''Nothing is set in stone.''
Nevertheless, the Indians' manager has figured and refigured his options, making his lists and checking them twice (a day).
The No. 2 spot in the order seemed to take longer to determine than any other. After all, there hasn't been any question in Wedge's mind that Grady Sizemore would lead off and that Travis Hafner would hit third, in front of Victor Martinez.
Asdrubal Cabrera did well batting behind Sizemore after he began to play second base regularly in August. However, most managers agonize at least a little bit about dropping a novice into such an important position in the lineup.
On the other hand, Cabrera has demonstrated that his confidence is virtually unshakable. However, Jason Michaels batted almost .300 against lefties in 2007, and he can
handle the bat well enough to move runners and slap the ball to the right side. Consequently, he will take over the No. 2 hole against lefties.
Wedge could have worked the fifth and sixth spots in the order either Jhonny Peralta, Ryan Garko or Garko, Peralta. So how did he decide?
''Jhonny is a little more experienced,'' Wedge said. ''Garko is still learning. You can go either way with that, depending on the matchups.''
Michaels and David Dellucci will share left field, though unevenly, with Dellucci getting the majority of at-bats, because he hits from the left side.
So when a right-hander is on the mound, Dellucci will bat seventh; when Dellucci is not in the lineup — against lefties — Cabrera will drop from second to seventh.
However, Wedge has left himself wiggle room for Dellucci, saying, ''He will bat in that area (seventh) but maybe a tick above or a tick below, depending on the matchups and history.''
Casey Blake and Franklin Gutierrez will fill out the bottom of the order, but to Wedge's way of thinking, that doesn't mean they are the lesser lights of the lineup. He always talks about having each third of the lineup being a productive piece of the whole.
''I feel like Casey and Franklin could bat anywhere in the lineup,'' Wedge said. ''Casey is a versatile guy, and I think Gutierrez will be the same way. I also like to have a couple of guys in front of Grady who can score.''
Neither Blake nor Gutierrez are lightning quick, and Wedge made it clear that he did not expect them to steal a lot of bases. However, they are at least average runners, maybe even a shade better, on a team without much speed.
''Stolen bases have no bearing on who bats eighth and ninth,'' Wedge said. ''It's just that both these guys can run.''
If last year is any indication, Blake isn't the only Tribe player who can hit all over the lineup, but he certainly ranks at the top.
In 2007, the third baseman batted in every spot in the order except first. His usual position was second (78 games), mostly before the arrival of Cabrera. But he also batted ninth 17 times, sixth 15 times and eighth and third 12 times each. Blake even was the cleanup hitter for one game.
Gutierrez batted in seven positions, even though he started only 68 games. He spent 35 games batting eighth and 12 in the seventh spot. He did not bat third or fourth, but was one of only two players (Kenny Lofton was the other) besides Sizemore to lead off. Gutierrez did it twice.
Players who batted in six lineup spots: Dellucci, Peralta, Garko and Michaels. The only players who remained rooted to one place in the lineup were starting pitchers who batted ninth in eight National League parks during interleague play.
So how many lineups did Wedge use in 162 games last year? ''Only'' 117, which means he always keeps his options open.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: Lineups are made to be changed; as Eric Wedge likes to say, ''Nothing is set in stone.''
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