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Do IT this week: Layering
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 05:02 p.m. EDT, Sep 19, 2009
OAKLAND, CALIF.: Remember when Eric Wedge's job was the biggest issue on the planet?
Less than three months ago, fans and many in the media demanded that Wedge be fired as manager of the Indians. General Manager Mark Shapiro cut off the speculation and lowered the temperature by announcing that Wedge would remain at his post until the end of the season, at which time the entire realm of baseball operations would be scrutinized and evaluated.
Of course, Wedge's job is no more or less secure now than it was in July. The only difference: People have stopped talking and writing about it.
Presumably, the question of who will manage the Tribe next year will be answered in a few weeks. Maybe the decision already has been made. More than likely, it already has been made, but that knowledge is a tightly held secret.
In July, with the fans up in arms, with radio talk show hosts and members of the print media voicing negative opinions of Wedge, with the team in a tailspin and club President Paul Dolan — whose father, Larry, bought the team — revealing that the franchise would lose $16 million this year, it appeared almost certain that Wedge's days as skipper were numbered.
Now, I'm not so sure. I don't know what to think at this point, and there doesn't seem to be a sense of what the future holds for Wedge among the folks who work at Progressive Field. That is a credit to Shapiro, Dolan and their associates who have kept their mouths shut.
That is, presuming a decision has been made, which seems probable. Certainly, Dolan and Shapiro are not waiting for the season to end before they begin an examination of the baseball department's practices.
Weighing the alternatives, there are advantages to keeping Wedge. I know many of you can't imagine what those would be, and that is one reason he might be fired. The fans have been vocal and active in expressing their dissatisfaction with the club, and Wedge has been one of their favorite targets.
Not just this season but in the past. Would Shapiro and/or Dolan dump Wedge to mollify the fans? Usually, the answer would be no. But in addition to the ever-present criticism of the manager and the club's poor performance, the trades of Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez stirred many fans to back up their discontent by vowing to shed their season tickets.
The dwindling base of paying customers might spur the Tribe's deep thinkers to get rid of Wedge as a way to foster good will, even though they know very well that nothing short of trading for Albert Pujols and Justin Verlander will bring the fans back to Progressive Field in 2010.
Moreover, with a rebuilding year ahead and several rookies and near rookies likely to dot the roster, keeping Wedge might be advantageous. Many fans would disagree, but Wedge has been an effective mentor to young players trying to take that final step from the minors to the majors.
And keep this in mind. The players have never quit on Wedge. Even the veterans who have no reason to play hard through the last meaningless game of a meaningless season have not let down. That is a credit to the manager.
Dolan has portrayed the club's financial situation as ominous, not only for this year but also the next, which is mostly the reason Shapiro traded away $21 million worth of contracts in the past 21/2 months. With an expected payroll (it hasn't been determined yet) of no more than $65 million, can the club afford to oust Wedge?
Having to eat his salary of about $1.5 million probably won't sink the ship, but unless Shapiro and Dolan think the manager no longer can be effective, that might be too big a price to pay as a public-relations gimmick.
Contrary to the perception of the fans, Shapiro and Wedge are no longer joined at the hip. At one time, they seemed to think and react in lock step, but over the years, they have developed differing opinions on various issues that diminished the coziness of their relationship. In other words, if Shapiro thinks Wedge should be fired, he'll fire him.
But I'm not so sure he believes that his manager no longer is an asset. I can't help but think that if Wedge is banished from the clubhouse, Dolan will make the call. Dolan has said in the recent past that he will be involved in the decision.
Potential candidates
If Dolan and Shapiro opt to bring in a new manager, who would it be? The conventional wisdom is that Shapiro would try to lure John Farrell back to Cleveland, where he still lives in the winter.
Farrell has deep ties to the Indians. Not only did he come up through the Tribe farm system and pitch in the major-league rotation, but he also was the club's farm director until the opportunity arose to become the Boston Red Sox pitching coach.
He has earned high praise in that job, plus a lot more money than most coaches. Including postseason bonuses, Farrell is said to earn about $800,000 a year. That means the Dolans would have to offer Farrell the kind of salary that Wedge makes now, rather than start him on the low end of the managerial pay scale because he's a rookie.
If Wedge is cut loose and Farrell is not offered the job or declines it, then what? I think it's unlikely the Indians will hire someone who lacks major-league coaching or managerial experience. Columbus skipper Torey Lovullo is regarded highly by the front office, but I don't believe he will be elevated to the job in Cleveland.
The only thing we know is that the Indians will have a manager next year. My hope is the topic of who is hired or who is retained won't dominate the offseason, because it will mean there's nothing else to talk about.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters. Follow the Indians on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Indians.
OAKLAND, CALIF.: Remember when Eric Wedge's job was the biggest issue on the planet?
Less than three months ago, fans and many in the media demanded that Wedge be fired as manager of the Indians. General Manager Mark Shapiro cut off the speculation and lowered the temperature by announcing that Wedge would remain at his post until the end of the season, at which time the entire realm of baseball operations would be scrutinized and evaluated.
Of course, Wedge's job is no more or less secure now than it was in July. The only difference: People have stopped talking and writing about it.
Presumably, the question of who will manage the Tribe next year will be answered in a few weeks. Maybe the decision already has been made. More than likely, it already has been made, but that knowledge is a tightly held secret.
In July, with the fans up in arms, with radio talk show hosts and members of the print media voicing negative opinions of Wedge, with the team in a tailspin and club President Paul Dolan — whose father, Larry, bought the team — revealing that the franchise would lose $16 million this year, it appeared almost certain that Wedge's days as skipper were numbered.
Now, I'm not so sure. I don't know what to think at this point, and there doesn't seem to be a sense of what the future holds for Wedge among the folks who work at Progressive Field. That is a credit to Shapiro, Dolan and their associates who have kept their mouths shut.
That is, presuming a decision has been made, which seems probable. Certainly, Dolan and Shapiro are not waiting for the season to end before they begin an examination of the baseball department's practices.
Weighing the alternatives, there are advantages to keeping Wedge. I know many of you can't imagine what those would be, and that is one reason he might be fired. The fans have been vocal and active in expressing their dissatisfaction with the club, and Wedge has been one of their favorite targets.
Not just this season but in the past. Would Shapiro and/or Dolan dump Wedge to mollify the fans? Usually, the answer would be no. But in addition to the ever-present criticism of the manager and the club's poor performance, the trades of Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez stirred many fans to back up their discontent by vowing to shed their season tickets.
The dwindling base of paying customers might spur the Tribe's deep thinkers to get rid of Wedge as a way to foster good will, even though they know very well that nothing short of trading for Albert Pujols and Justin Verlander will bring the fans back to Progressive Field in 2010.
Moreover, with a rebuilding year ahead and several rookies and near rookies likely to dot the roster, keeping Wedge might be advantageous. Many fans would disagree, but Wedge has been an effective mentor to young players trying to take that final step from the minors to the majors.
And keep this in mind. The players have never quit on Wedge. Even the veterans who have no reason to play hard through the last meaningless game of a meaningless season have not let down. That is a credit to the manager.
Dolan has portrayed the club's financial situation as ominous, not only for this year but also the next, which is mostly the reason Shapiro traded away $21 million worth of contracts in the past 21/2 months. With an expected payroll (it hasn't been determined yet) of no more than $65 million, can the club afford to oust Wedge?
Having to eat his salary of about $1.5 million probably won't sink the ship, but unless Shapiro and Dolan think the manager no longer can be effective, that might be too big a price to pay as a public-relations gimmick.
Contrary to the perception of the fans, Shapiro and Wedge are no longer joined at the hip. At one time, they seemed to think and react in lock step, but over the years, they have developed differing opinions on various issues that diminished the coziness of their relationship. In other words, if Shapiro thinks Wedge should be fired, he'll fire him.
But I'm not so sure he believes that his manager no longer is an asset. I can't help but think that if Wedge is banished from the clubhouse, Dolan will make the call. Dolan has said in the recent past that he will be involved in the decision.
Potential candidates
If Dolan and Shapiro opt to bring in a new manager, who would it be? The conventional wisdom is that Shapiro would try to lure John Farrell back to Cleveland, where he still lives in the winter.
Farrell has deep ties to the Indians. Not only did he come up through the Tribe farm system and pitch in the major-league rotation, but he also was the club's farm director until the opportunity arose to become the Boston Red Sox pitching coach.
He has earned high praise in that job, plus a lot more money than most coaches. Including postseason bonuses, Farrell is said to earn about $800,000 a year. That means the Dolans would have to offer Farrell the kind of salary that Wedge makes now, rather than start him on the low end of the managerial pay scale because he's a rookie.
If Wedge is cut loose and Farrell is not offered the job or declines it, then what? I think it's unlikely the Indians will hire someone who lacks major-league coaching or managerial experience. Columbus skipper Torey Lovullo is regarded highly by the front office, but I don't believe he will be elevated to the job in Cleveland.
The only thing we know is that the Indians will have a manager next year. My hope is the topic of who is hired or who is retained won't dominate the offseason, because it will mean there's nothing else to talk about.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters. Follow the Indians on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Indians.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 05:27 PM, 09/19/2009
Who care anymore about Indians baseball!
Posted 06:42 PM, 09/19/2009
The players never quit on Wedge but they don't get started until May or later....
Paradise, Oh
Posted 06:45 PM, 09/19/2009
Stadium Mustard is Soylent Green!
Canton, OH
Posted 09:22 PM, 09/19/2009
InJuns BaseBall = an oxymaroon. .
Akron, OH
Posted 10:02 PM, 09/19/2009
If I were Wedge, I would have hit the road a long time ago. Who wants to be manager of a team whose owner and general manager both acknowledge that the Indians don't have a chance at the playoffs? A negative attitude never got anyone anyplace.
r m kraus/akron
Alliance, Oh
Posted 08:52 AM, 09/20/2009
If Wedge is back, the Indians will lose about 100 million next year because the season ticket base will be about 1000. They'll all be buying season tickets for a team that makes an attempt at winning.....The Cavs!
Bethesda, MD
Posted 08:56 AM, 09/20/2009
People have stopped talking about it because they are sick of Wedge. People want him out more than ever. I honestly believe bring him back would effect attendance. The character of the team has to change.
People want to see a manager who isn't just interested in the players feelings.
People want a manager that feels like a tenth player on the field.
People want a manager with some balls.
Posted 09:39 AM, 09/20/2009
As you so predictably allude, the question becomes who replaces Wedge. Will this organization pay for a seasoned, proven winner? Would such a guy agree to come here, especially with the economic constraints and the awareness Cleveland is not a garden spot oozing with upside?
Were Wedge to be subtracted primarily to appease fans, replacing him with an in-system no-name without MLB experience would not suffice. Wouldn't it seem likely the new guy might disagree strongly with the present GM about which pieces are key to taking the needed next step, thereby further delaying and complicating an expedient rebound?
The point is, replacing one's manager is not an easy proposition---which is not to suggest such an adjustment is not recommended.
Mentor, OH
Posted 10:24 AM, 09/20/2009
Well written article with very good points. But fans do not understand even after reading it. We lose so the manager must be at fault, fans are that stupid.
Farrell and Pena would be two guys with Cleveland ties that might get fan interest.
Do you not love fans that read an Indians article and then bother to post "who cares" or some other nonsense. No one said you had to have a brain to be a fan and most don't.
It would be very smart for Shapiro, who is most at fault for the record of this team to keep Wedge for one more year. If another manager comes in and has do endure a year or two of rebuilding that manager will already be in trouble and fans will start to understand the real problem is Shapiro not Wedge, never was Wedge.
So you keep Wedge for the bad year that is almost certain next year and let him do what as you pointed out he does very well, bring young players along in their development. Then after the season Shapiro fires Wedge as his scapegoat.
The next manager comes in as the young players are starting to get good and the team wins more and Shapiro saves himself. And saves Dolan money.
Fans will not truly come back until the team looks like a winner, some stars emerge and fans think those stars will be here more than a year or two. Manager could be Wedge, Farrell or Obama and if the team is losing the fans will not buy tickets.
Needles, CA
Posted 11:30 AM, 09/20/2009
Rick makes some good points but I think he underestimates the importance a Manager plays. Wedge was responsible for the terrible start and the hole the Indians found themselves in before April was finished. He was responsible for wasting spring training and then he made terrible decisions with his rotation theory and his handling of the pitching staff. The Indians do have talent just not in the managerial department.
Bethesda, MD
Posted 12:54 PM, 09/20/2009
Rick doesn't make a good point. I won't bother to rehash for the millionth time all the dumb moves he has made.
True, we could get someone worse. Chances are we will get someone about the same. But there is a reasonable chance we could get someone who will make a difference.
I like the Pena and Farrell but what do we truly know about any of these guys?
