Indians DESIGNATED HITTER possibilities for 2009

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Prelude to spring training: Travis Hafner's health first on Tribe's mind

by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter

Friday February 06, 2009, 9:18 PM

Thomas Omdrey/The Plain Dealer

The Indians have a designated hitter who hasn't put bat to ball with effectiveness since early 2007. He's in spring training right now in the early stages of his "return-to-hit program" following surgery on his right shoulder joint in October.

At catcher they have two players qualified for the one spot behind the plate. Spring training is extra long this year because of the World Baseball Classic, but it would have to be calculated on a dog-year calendar to give manager Eric Wedge and GM Mark Shapiro enough time to reach a final decision on these situations.

Then comes the bench, a fluid proposition with Wedge because most of his players can play more than one position. Critics might say the versatility stems from Wedge insisting on playing people out of position.

Travis Hafner, the DH who the Indians still owe more than $50 million, views spring training as a means to an end.

"My goal is to be 100 percent by the time the season opens," said Hafner, who played only 57 games last season because of his injured shoulder.

Still, what Hafner shows in spring training, will be an indication of how good the middle of the lineup will be. Said Wedge, "I expect Travis to be an average championship major-league middle-of-the-order bat."

Is that all?

At catcher, Wedge must decide who his starter is between incumbent Victor Martinez, who lost his job last season to injury, or star understudy Kelly Shoppach. The fact that Wedge has already announced that Shoppach will catch Cy Young winner Cliff Lee and Martinez will catch Fausto Carmona shows he has an open mind. That Martinez can play the heck out of first base probably opens his mind more.

Wedge won't be able to roll thunder off the bench, but David Dellucci has 10 pinch-hit homers and Ryan Garko, when he's not playing first base, hit .500 (3-for-6) as a pinch-hitter last year. Valuable Jamey Carroll can play several positions. Josh Barfield will compete for the last spot on the bench.

Here are the 2009 possibilities for the Indians at designated hitter, catcher and the bench.

• Big-league DH: Hafner.

Comment: If he's healthy, he'll hit in the middle of the lineup every day. If not, the Indians have alternatives in Dellucci, Garko, Martinez or Shoppach.

Next in line: Matt LaPorta, Class¤AAA Columbus.

Comment: It wouldn't be a bad way for a rookie to break into the Tribe's lineup.

Fire down below: Beau Mills, Nick Weglarz, Class¤AA Akron.

Comment: Mills has power.

• Big-league catchers: Martinez and Shoppach.

Comment: Shoppach has to prove last season wasn't an accident.

Next in line: Wyatt Toregas and Chris Gimenez, Class AAA Columbus.

Comment: Toregas can catch and throw. Gimenez calls a good game and is a better hitter.

Fire down below: Carlos Santana, Class AA Akron.

Comment: Santana's bat puts him on the fast track and makes catching one of the deepest positions in the organization.

• Big-league bench: Barfield, Carroll, Dellucci, Garko and whoever isn't catching -- Shoppach or Martinez.

Comment: Carroll is hitting .366 (38-for-82) in his career as a pinch-hitter.

Next in line: Luis Valbuena, Michael Brantley, Trevor Crowe and LaPorta, Class AAA Columbus.

Comment: If the Indians need someone to steal a base going down the stretch in a race to the postseason, Brantley is their man.

Fire down below: Josh Rodriguez and Mills, Class AA Akron.

Comment: Rodriguez could help in the middle infield and Mills would bring power

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Terry Pluto: Can't wait for the Indians to begin spring training

by Terry Pluto / Plain Dealer columnist

Friday February 06, 2009, 5:32 PM

Thoughts while looking at a snow covered diamond and listening to Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti talk today at Progressive Field:

1. I can't wait for spring training. It's one of my favorite times of the year. It's when fans and media people can get a good look at young players, and guys trying to come back, such as Carl Pavano. I can't wait to see David Huff, Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley and Travis Hafner.

2. I understand why media people have to keep asking about Hafner, but no matter what the Indians (or even Hafner) may say, no one has a clue of how the DH's surgically repaired shoulder will hold up until he starts to play several times a week for a month or two. Yes, Carlos Quentin came back from similar shoulder surgery to hit 36 HR with 100 RBI for the White Sox last season, but everyone is different.

3. The Indians plan to stay ever positive on Hafner, and they should. He has worked so hard to come back, and they are heavily invested in him. But they also know they can DH Ryan Garko, with Victor Martinez playing lots of first base, Kelly Shoppach catching. They also could dip into the minors for someone such as Matt LaPorta to DH. The way the economy is going, there may be some big bats available very cheap in trades or even free agency.

4. I know the Indians are about out of money, but I'd throw down a low-guarantee, heavy-incentive contract in front of Adam Dunn and see if he nibbles as spring training draws near and the phone doesn't ring. I know he strike outs out a ton, but he hits 40 HRs and is close to a .400 on-base man each season. His numbers are staggering. In the last five seasons, he has hit at least 40 HR, struck out between 164-and-195 times, walked at least 100 times, and batted .248. That's why scouts are very divided on his value.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerVictor Martinez is very good at blocking balls in the dirt.

5. Glad to hear that Martinez has come back strong from elbow surgery and his hamstring problems. He is such a terrific hitter, and plays an above average first base in addition to being solid behind the plate. Watching Shoppach catch every day reminded me how well Martinez blocks balls in the dirt. It's not easy. Sandy Alomar was the best that I'd ever seen.

6. The Indians sound as confused about what has happened to Jeremy Sowers as I am. They say his arm is stronger than ever, his velocity better than ever. His control is not as sharp. I also heard that he does not have "enough separation" between his fastball and off-speed stuff. You want about an 8-to-10 mph difference, and he was closer to 5 mph. That made his changeup look like a bad, fat fastball to the hitters.

7. The Indians don't say it, but they rate Huff as having a real chance to win a spot in the rotation. He is a lefty like Scott Lewis, Zach Jackson and Sowers -- the difference is he throws harder. His fastball is in the low 90 mph, and he walked only 29 in 146 minor league innings, while striking out 143. I would not be surprised if the opening rotation was Cliff Lee, Fausto Carmona, Anthony Reyes, Pavano and Aaron Laffey, but with Huff being ready to step in. Given Reyes' history of elbow troubles, he could be needed soon.

8. When it comes to thinking the Indians have too much depth at one spot, remember the old rule: SOMEONE ALWAYS GETS HURT. That is especially true with pitchers. The Indians have added another rule: SOMEONE ALWAYS REGRESSES. Just as Franklin Gutierrez, Rafael Betancourt, Carmona and Asdrubal Cabrera did last year. Rarely does a team have TOO many players.

9. The Indians considered the likes of Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia and Jason Jennings as bargain starters before settling on Pavano. The White Sox signed Colon. Let's see which Central team made the right call.

10. Glad to hear the Indians say Jhonny Peralta will eventually end up at third base. Shapiro talked about Peralta now being "6-foot-3 1/2 and 220 pounds" and praised him for making "the routine plays as well as anyone." But he also knows that Peralta's limited range is destined to be worse with age, but that his strong and accurate arm may serve him well at third -- especially if he hits 25-30 HR a year.

[Beanpot]

Nice post, Peen. Totally agree with Pluto when it comes to Dunn, even if it's nothing more than a pipe dream. Also nice to see the organization backing off the claim that they Peralta was going to start at short no matter what. Here's what Hoynes wrote about the subject yesterday:

Tribe clear: Infield spots aren't certain

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Paul Hoynes

Plain Dealer Reporter

The Indians, in some form or another, always have been in motion. The reason, some might say, is that it's harder to hit a moving target.

With spring training fast approaching -- pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday -- the Indians have seldom had more players pointed in different directions.

The two big moves that may or may not take place involve All-Star catcher Victor Martinez becoming a semiregular first baseman and an infield shift that would send Jhonny Peralta from short to third, Asdrubal Cabrera from second to short and Mark DeRosa from third to second.

What would cause such a migration?

"Putting the best team on the field," said GM Mark Shapiro.

Shapiro and Chris Antonetti, the Indians' assistant general manager, met with reporters Friday at the Terrace Club at Progressive Field to discuss the upcoming season.

Martinez, a lifetime .298 hit ter, played only 73 games last year because of surgery on his right elbow. In his absence, Kelly Shoppach bloomed, hit ting .261 with 21 homers, 55 RBI and an .865 OPS.

Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge recently talked to Martinez.

"Right now, Victor Martinez is our catcher and Kelly Shoppach is our backup," said Shapiro. "Obviously we'll have the ability to change that at any point during spring training and the season. We're going into this with an open mind. What gives us the best team? That's how we'll look to structure the decision."

Wedge already has said Shoppach will catch Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, while Martinez catches Fausto Carmona. Who catches the other three starters has yet to be determined.

"Victor wants to catch," said Shapiro. "This is a guy that [management], and Eric in particular, challenged to work hard and become a good catcher, a good receiver and take pride in it. He's done that.

"He leads the game, he takes pride in that leadership role. To work that hard, I think he's vested in that role, in performing that role."

Shapiro indicated that Martinez would give up some of his time behind the plate for the good of the team.

"There is not a guy on this team that cares more about winning or cares more about the Indians' organization than Vic," said Shapiro.

It seems clear that no matter what decision the Indians make regarding Martinez and Shoppach and the infield, it will be done in spring training.

"When you're dealing with a guy like Vic, you don't want to prolong the decision," said Shapiro.

Regarding the infield, Shapiro said, "If something doesn't prompt us to make that decision in spring training, I can't imagine it's going to prompt us to make it over the season."

If that sounds like Peralta, DeRosa and Cabrera can drop anchor, you'd be wrong.

"I can still see situations arise that would prompt us to move Peralta to third base," said Shapiro.

Cabrera is a natural shortstop. DeRosa has spent more time at second than third the past two years with the Cubs. Peralta, who has played third before in the minors and big leagues, took a refresher course this winter in the Dominican Republic.

Shapiro said Peralta's size, 6-3½ and 220 pounds, will eventually force him to leave shortstop.

He added that moving Peralta would not be done rashly. The Indians always have liked Peralta's reliability at short and his strong arm. He also leads AL shortstops in homers over the past two seasons.

"While we're open to moving him, we're going to walk through that fastidiously," said Shapiro. "We're not going to do it quickly unless we clearly believe it gives us our best team."

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer....xml&coll=2

Beanpot

[Beanpot]

Here's an article that talks about how the Tribe is dealing with the economy:

Indians GM: MLB facing economic challenges

The Associated Press

Friday, February 6, 2009

CLEVELAND: As spring training approaches, Cleveland Indians general manager Mark Shapiro is looking at how fast tickets are selling.

"Our sales right now are very much in flux," Shapiro said Friday. "We are hopeful they will pick up as we get closer to spring training and the reality of a new baseball season is upon us. But there is a sense of caution and an understanding of what this could mean if it continues."

Cleveland signed closer Kerry Wood to a $20.5 million, two-year deal. Shapiro said he does not regret spending that money in December rather than waiting to see whether prices would go down.

"We were fortunate to be one of the teams that had some flexibility this offseason," Shapiro said. "We discussed waiting, but at the time we made the deal in mid-December we thought it was the best option for improving our team."

Shapiro said that for the most part, agents and available players have come to the realize that clubs cannot spend as freely as they did even a few months ago. He rejects any accusation that collusion is going on.

"Most agents I have spoken with personally understand what is going on and how it affects not just a club's ability to spend but their thresholds and structures for spending," he said. "There are some anonymous agents who feel a need to say that what is going on in the world is not going on and there's some other unnatural element out there that is controlling costs. Quite frankly, I am at a lack of understanding and a lack of sympathy for them."

Shapiro said the Indians have not had any layoffs, but have cut costs.

"I would hope (fans) will not see any of those things," Shapiro said. "These ways of controlling costs are only initial measures."

Shapiro hopes more cuts are not contemplated at this point.

"A lot of times in sports we operate in a vacuum, where we are somewhat limited in how we are impacted," he said. "One of the real dangers is the length of how this impacts us as this season plays out and going into next season. It is up to the individual clubs. While we have clearly dealt with adversity in Cleveland prior to this, what is going on nationally and internationally takes it to another level."

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/06/...ans-Shapiro.php

Beanpot

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It is going to be interesting to see how the economy impacts sports.

Baseball is the most affordable of the sports where you can still get a ticket for $15-$20.....even some $1 seats in many parks.

We will probably see most of those sold and I would expect to see fewer concessions sold.

[CIMO.]

As a hockey fan (and I'm sure basketball is about the same, but haven't seen first hand) I've already started seeing some creative/desperate moves to get fans in the seats. The Blue Jackets were offering weekend ticket packages that you pay off in $10/week installments. Some of teams really struggling in attendance (Phoenix, Florida, etc) have even offered free tickets some nights, just so people come out, so they can still make money off concessions.

The selfish part of me loves it. As long as the teams stay healthy long-term, and don't cut obscene amounts of payroll, I'll be happy getting my cheap tickets.

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I understand the cheap seats part.....but in reality, that is going to lead to broken franchises.

Not all teams make money hand over fist.....many just get by.

It wouldn't surprise me to see some teams hold fire sales....and if you see players going for cash, you will be able to tell which teams are about to go under.

NASCAR is going to be very interesting to watch as a barometer.

It is really tied to sponsors like no other sport(maybe golf as well). I think you are going to see many teams packing it up by mid season....or moving forward on a very selective basis.

I could see NFL games being blacked out in Cleveland this year due to not selling out 72 hours in advance.

I have season tickets...the highest dollar tickets in the upper deck....$70 per seat per game. I haven't lost money on them as I have always been able to sell the ones I don't plan to use for face value. I suspect this year I am going to have a harder time unloading them....not just because of the team playing poorly, but due to the cost as well.

[Pumpkin Eater]

I wonder if Garko could play 3rd

[ATENEARS]

@beanpot said:

Victor Martinez becoming a semiregular first baseman and an infield shift that would send Jhonny Peralta from short to third, Asdrubal Cabrera from second to short and Mark DeRosa from third to second.

I don't know if being so versatile is good or bad? Good in the fact that things can be switched around to accomidate injuries, bad in the sense that no one seems to be 'Great' enough to lock down a set position.

Wedge is gonna have his hands full keeping everyone happy this season ... although if he plays his cards right it could spell for a great way to keep everyone fresh.

[Beanpot]

@atenears said:

I don't know if being so versatile is good or bad? Good in the fact that things can be switched around to accomidate injuries, bad in the sense that no one seems to be 'Great' enough to lock down a set position.

Wedge is gonna have his hands full keeping everyone happy this season ... although if he plays his cards right it could spell for a great way to keep everyone fresh.

That's a really good point. I thought the Dellucci/Michaels platoon of '07 could turn into gold if Wedge handled it right and...well, Wedge had little do with that fiasco.

I think it's a little different when it comes to this grouping. Still, like most everything 09, Hafner has a huge say in just how these guys are shifted around the diamond.

Versatile = good if we're able to optimize production while hiding weakness.

Versatile = a shitstorm if Peralta can't handle third, Cabrera can't hit and DeRosa runs head into an aging pattern that barely makes him a league average bat.

Now if Hafner struggles on top of all that...oh boy.

Beanpot

screw worst case, we're raising a damn banner this year

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Some of those things have to go right.

I wouldn't discount DeRosa at 3rd....I think he would do just fine.

I am not too worried about DeRosa's bat...the D is what worries me more...to me he is like Seitzer was....just a good hitter who has a major league approach at the plate....we might even see him settle in at DH if Haf is done.

Not the classic DH by any means but a guy who will hit around 280 and depending where in the line-up you slotted him, he could knock in 90 RBI's.

When you get your hits is more important than how many you get in most cases...he has always seemed pretty "clutch" to me.