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Do IT this week: Layering
Tribe GM seeks trade to find bullpen help
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009
GOODYEAR, ARIZ.: The dog days of spring training are upon the Indians, and that includes General Manager Mark Shapiro.
With the regular season only two weeks away, starting pitchers have thrown 75-80 pitches in their last outings; hitters have become accustomed to looking at major-league fastballs and sliders, and Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge probably have decided who will fill vacant roster spots, though they have yet to go public.
But there's always something to do for a man in charge of the front office.
''Yes, I'm interested in making a deal,'' Shapiro said Monday. ''I still spend a lot of time talking to other general managers, getting the lay of the land. There are areas I would like to see get incrementally better. You always want to improve your pitching depth. But I'm pretty happy with the position players in camp.''
All of that requires a translation. Shapiro is not seeking to replace Cliff Lee or Fausto Carmona at the top of the rotation. Nor does he expect to trade for a pitcher who would be an upgrade on Carl Pavano, Anthony Reyes or any of the three starters — Scott Lewis, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers — competing for the final spot in the rotation.
The bullpen is a different matter. Zach Jackson is the frontrunner to become the seventh and final reliever, but it is not out of the question that Shapiro could find someone better. On the other hand, don't count on it.
There are some deals that never materialize, for a variety of reasons.
A rumor surfaced 10 days ago that Shapiro was courting free agent Pedro Martinez. Asked about it Monday, the GM rubbed his thumb and index finger together, indicating that money is a sticking point.
Martinez, believed to be asking for between $5 million and $8 million during the winter on a one-year contract, apparently hasn't come off those numbers, at least not much.
''We like the guy,'' Shapiro said. ''We expressed interest in him during the offseason.''
Aside from the possibility of a relatively minor trade as an upgrade, Shapiro likes what he has seen in camp, even being optimistic about the return to productivity of designated hitter Travis Hafner, who underwent shoulder surgery last October.
''I feel like the only thing that's not there yet is his timing,'' Shapiro said. ''But I think it's only a matter of time before that comes back. Once he gets his timing down, he'll hit the ball with authority again.''
What's the best thing about training camp in Shapiro's assessment?
''First and foremost, it's the young talent,'' he said, referring to top prospects Michael Brantley, Matt LaPorta, Carlos Santana, Wes Hodges, Hector Rondon and others. ''Also, I have to tip my cap to Asdrubal [Cabrera] and Ryan [Garko] for coming to camp in much better shape. Garko has made the outfield an option for him, and I didn't think that was possible.''
Garko is in a musical chairs situation with Victor Martinez and Kelly Shoppach. Wedge would like all three players to be in the lineup most of the time. But if Martinez is behind the plate 125 games, Shoppach's at-bats will be severely limited.
For Shoppach to receive more playing time, Martinez must become a part-time first baseman, which would mean moving Garko to the bench. However, if left field is a viable alternative, Garko might pick up at-bats that way.
''We talked about that today,'' Shapiro said. ''That is one of our most challenging decisions.''
Shapiro has been disappointed in the performance of Masa Kobayashi, who is being counted on as a solid sixth- and seventh-inning reliever.
''Of his last two outings, one was encouraging,'' Shapiro said. ''We are hoping that he's just working himself into it [the regular season]. His performances out here have not been good, but that isn't what's important. When the games count, he has to improve, and he knows that.''
Shapiro didn't give clues as to who will be the No. 5 starter, but he said only glowing things about Lewis, who seems to have won the competition.
''Lewis has been the most consistent pitcher of the group,'' he said. ''He's pounding the strike zone with his fastball and throwing his breaking pitch for strikes. His game is fastball command, and that's what he's shown down here.''
So when will Wedge and Shapiro announce the winner?
''It's going to be sooner rather than later,'' he said.
That goes for the real season, as well.
No doubts
Closer Kerry Wood was the Indians' marquee acquisition over the winter, and Shapiro hasn't seen anything to change his mind about him.
''He has a gifted arm,'' Shapiro said. ''He's a great guy in our clubhouse and he has dominating secondary stuff as well.''
In the plans
Jeremy Sowers might not win the battle to be the fifth starter, but that doesn't mean he's out of the picture.
''I feel like at some time, whether it's out of spring training or later in the year, Jeremy will help us,'' Shapiro said.
A vote for Arizona
Lee was asked about training in Arizona, where batted balls travel farther and breaking pitches flatten out.
''I like it here a lot better,'' Lee said. ''I'll take balls traveling farther and less break on pitches. Our facility is great, and it's a good environment.''
Marching onward
The Indians will take on the Chicago White Sox this afternoon at Goodyear Ballpark. Fausto Carmona will start against Aaron Poreda.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters.
GOODYEAR, ARIZ.: The dog days of spring training are upon the Indians, and that includes General Manager Mark Shapiro.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 06:46 AM, 03/24/2009
Please note that when Shapiro mentions the young talent, he failed to include and starting pitching. There's the rub and the key to thte tribe's success this hear.
Stow, OH
Posted 08:41 AM, 03/24/2009
I honestly don't see this club playing any better than 500 ball this year . they lost Sabbathia and really didn't replace him with anyone, let alone they didn't add any needed hitters, they put all their cards in Hafner hoping he will learn how to hit a curve ball .Hoping everyone in your division stinks worse than you is no way to go through a season .
Posted 11:15 AM, 03/24/2009
It will be interesting to watch what was essentially a CC-for-Pavano exchange. That disparity could characterize this season's prospects.
As for Wile's remarks, is it not true the Tribe is heavily-invested in its process, meaning the improvements are expected from within? Ben, Cabrera and Choo are young in-house players the organization has hopes for and expects growth from. Coupled with a return-to-health from both Victor and Travis, quite a lot of offensive enhancement might be expected relative to '08.
Then there is the much-improved pen, last season's foremost ailment. There, they are but an additional matchup lefty from being very formidable. (Jimmy Gobble?)
This contingent will challenge for another 90-win campaign, barring significant injuries.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 11:37 AM, 03/24/2009
I think Shapiro's got the team on the right track, especially with acquisitions since last season. Proof is on the field I suppose, but I'm excited.
akron, oh
Posted 08:15 AM, 03/25/2009
If you want to win spend some money on some true free agents. We need pitching. Hafner--if he dont start hot you need to get rid of him. Cant wait till opening day.
Posted 11:49 AM, 03/25/2009
I think he's commited.(Shapiro)
