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Possibilities are many, but Tribe's Wedge sees need for decision
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Aug 04, 2008
MINNEAPOLIS: Here's the preliminary list: Salomon Torres, Francisco Rodriguez, Brandon Lyon, Jason Isringhausen, Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes.
These relievers are prospective free agents, though Torres has an option for 2009. All save games for a living. Will any of them end up as the Indians' closer next season?
Or, if the Tribe chooses not to sign a free agent, or can't, what about a trade, possibly for Huston Street or Jose Valverde?
Maybe it will be none of the above. It's possible General Manager Mark Shapiro will acquire a reliever who has not closed in the past, but looks promising in that role. It's far too early to tell what direction Shapiro will go, but one thing is almost certain: By the time spring training begins, manager Eric Wedge will have his man.
Asked Sunday if spring training would be a proper place to conduct the search for a closer, Wedge said, ''No, that would not be a good idea.
''If we don't feel like we can find someone [on the roster] in the next couple of months — and that would be tough to do — we need to go out and get somebody. And I know that's easier said than done.''
It's not absolutely certain the next Tribe closer is already on the team. Rafael Perez is a possible candidate, but it would be difficult for Wedge to move him out of the seventh- and eighth-inning slot.
''He's been very valuable where he is,'' the manager said. ''You know, there's a lot of value in someone being able to get to the ninth inning. And closers can come from places you never see coming. The fact is, you never know if someone can close until he actually does it.''
It has been suggested that the club's No. 1 prospect, Adam Miller, might be moved from starter to closer. If so, that would take a while.
''First you have to get him healthy and back on the mound,'' said Wedge, referring to Miller's recent finger surgery. ''And then, you'd have to assess everything.''
Miller might be the long-term answer as closer, but he wouldn't be able to prove himself in that job in time for the opening of the 2009 season.
''The bullpen starts with the closer,'' Wedge said. ''The team exudes so much more confidence when they know that guy is there.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
MINNEAPOLIS: Here's the preliminary list: Salomon Torres, Francisco Rodriguez, Brandon Lyon, Jason Isringhausen, Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes.
Get the full article here.
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