Cleveland Indians are done, so it's time to look ahead, says The Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto

[clevfan]

Cleveland Indians are done, so it's time to look ahead, says The Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto


June 19, 2008 15:09PM
Terry Pluto

It's over.

For the Indians, an extended spring training has begun -- and down deep, the front office has to know it.

There will be no contention this season, not even in the pathetic American League Central Division.

Not with the Indians being 8-9 in June and ranking last in the AL with a .246 batting average. Not with the second-worst bullpen (4.83) in the AL. Not with scoring two or fewer runs in 25 of 72 games this season.

This is not a trend. It's not a bad start. It's not something that will soon change because key players are getting healthy. Let's not hear that the Indians are 26-11 when they score at least four runs. Problem is, too often, they don't -- and with all the injuries and slumps, they won't.

The season is 44 percent gone heading into Thursday night's game at Colorado, the Indians having only 90 games left. They took the field in Denver 7 1/2 games behind the Chicago White Sox, and also behind Minnesota and Detroit. The most discouraging stat is the Tribe being 13-16 in the Central, compared to 21-11 for the White Sox.

I went back five years and the pattern is clear: The team that has the best record for the season in the Central wins it. In 2007, the Tribe was 48-24 in the division en route to 96 victories.

That's why it's over for them in 2008.

It's pitcher Jake Westbrook (elbow surgery) out for a year. It's catcher Victor Martinez (elbow surgery) and infielder Josh Barfield (finger surgery) out for a few months. It's designated hitter Travis Hafner (shoulder) out for who knows how long. It's pitcher Adam Miller (finger surgery) not available for pitching depth. It's pitcher Fausto Carmona (hip) having another "setback," pushing his return sometime into the middle of July.

For the Indians, the only long lines will be in their doctors' waiting rooms, not at the postseason ticket windows.

"We do understand the reality," said General Manager Mark Shapiro. "We are without our No. 2 [Carmona] and No. 3 [Westbrook] starters. We don't have our No. 3 [Hafner] and No. 4 [Martinez] hitters. It is what it is."

The Indians have been listening to offers for pitcher C.C. Sabathia, but nothing has been serious.

All Shapiro will say is: "We have been preparing for various possibilities for a while. People forget that the Bartolo Colon trade wasn't made until June 27 [2002], and that was considered early. Most teams don't get serious [about trading] until mid-July."

The Indians have dispatched scouts to about eight different minor-league organizations, checking out prospects for possible Sabathia deals. That process began in spring training and is in full force now.

You won't hear manager Eric Wedge talking about the possibilities of Paul Byrd, Casey Blake and Joe Borowski being traded. But all are in the final years of their contracts, and of the three, Blake may be especially attractive to a contender because he can play so many positions.

If the Indians have a deal for Blake, then it would be worth recalling Asdrubal Cabrera from Class AAA Buffalo, installing him at short and moving Jhonny Peralta to third. Let's at least learn something from this season. At the very least, let's see a little more of infielder Andy Marte -- even though he has shown so little, albeit in limited chances.

Byrd (1-3, 8.84 ERA in June) needs a couple of decent outings to attract interest. Borowski could appeal to a contender needing bullpen help, especially if he somehow continues to save games. But the key will be making the right trade for Sabathia, not just the first decent deal that comes along.

As for other ideas, Jeff Stevens (11 strikeouts, eight innings) at Buffalo is the best reliever that I've seen come through Class AA Akron since Rafael Betancourt, and he should be promoted soon. I think we've seen enough of Edward Mujica.

There is no reason for Dave Dellucci to start in the outfield, not when the Indians have Grady Sizemore in center, with left and right field covered by Franklin Gutierrez, Ben Francisco and Shin-Soo Choo. Let's find out which kids can help the most.

Yes, the Indians' season is over, but they still have 89 games beginning Friday in Los Angeles to put together next year's team.