INDIANS 7/10/02

LATEST TEAM INFO:

The Indians have stumbled their way to the All-Star break with a 39-47 record, 9 ½ games out of first place in the Central, and a league worst .238 batting average pretty much summarizes the first half of the year for the Tribe. Before dealing Bartolo Colon the Indians were getting the best pitching they had seen in recent memory day after day from all five starters, only to loose many games when giving up only two or three runs. The bottom line is there simply is not enough hitting talent on this team to win. The Indians are on pace to loose 89 games, which would be their worst season since 1989, when they lost a franchise record 105 games. Back in the mid nintey’s when the Indians had some of the most amazing lineups ever assembled, they anualy had seven hitters batting over .300. This year at the break the team’s leading hitter is Omar Vizquel, who is hitting .285. The bad news is that it won’t get any better for a long time.

The Tribe did end the first half on a positive note taking two out of three from the White Sox. In the last game of the first half the Indians had an eight run inning, sparked by a Milton Bradley Grand-Slam, and a three run homer from Matt Lawton. However, this brings up another problem. As I sat and watched that game in the first inning, the Indians had runners on second and third with one out, and one rune already in, and failed to score again. When things like this happen it is a big bright flashing sign of a bad baseball team. The only way the Indians could score runs in that game was with a homerun. If it were not for the long ball they would have lost 3-2. This team is not going anywhere far anytime soon.

LOCAL PROSPECTIVE:

Although sold attendance marks are still high in Cleveland actual attendance is lacking. Fans seem very impatient in having to wait three years to see another contender in Cleveland, and can you blame them? After nearly a decade of winning baseball in the city, it is a let down to have to take three years off. When a new front office comes in and turns things around, in a direction not intended for the present, but for the future, one and only thing is for certain; the fans will not be happy. Larry Dolan cannot expect to make money when he raises ticket prices this off season, only to produce a loosing baseball team.

As for the media, they have been fairly quite about everything that has happened in Cleveland in the past month. Once more trades start happening, I am sure Mark Shapiro will be judged heavily, depending on the quality of the trades. With already two risky deals under his belt Shapiro ahs put himself on thin ice with the media, and another questionable move could put a large crack in that ice not only with the media but the fans as well.

RUMOR MILL:

According to many people Jim Thome is the next logical veteran to go. The most logical choice of teams for Thome to be deal to would be the Atlanta Braves, or Boston Red Sox. Of course each team has a snag in acquiring Thome. The Braves problem lies within salary issues. They simply do not want to take on Thome’s salary without giving the Indians some salary in return, which would defeat half f the purpose of dealing Thome. However the positive side with Atlanta is that they are rich in prospects, and are willing to deal them, in order to get a First Baseman, which they feel would be the final piece to their World Series puzzle. As for Boston they do not have the prospects to offer, but are Thome’s first choice of teams to go to because of his ties to manager Grady Little, and other former Indians on the team. With the lack of prospects the Sox have the Indians are hesitant in dealing Thome to Boston, where he would fit in perfectly, to fill their glaring hole at first base.

With Raul Mondesi being dealt to the Yankees all rumors of Matt Lawton going anywhere have come to a halt. The Yankees now have no need for a right fielder, and have filled pretty much all holes on their team. However Lawton is still a candidate of being traded to clear salary as he makes over 6 mill a year.

Other veterans the Indians could be shopping would include starter Chuck Finley, set up man Paul Shuey, reliever Ricardo Rincon, shortstop Omar Vizquel, and closer Bob Wickman.

ON THE FARM:
As this is the halfway mark of the season, this report will recognize two players from each minor league affiliate who have both performed well for their teams and are considered prospects. One hitter and one pitcher will be recognized from each of the four full-season Cleveland Indians minor league affiliates.

At Class AAA Buffalo, 3B Earl Snyder has posted solid stats since his demotion from the major leagues earlier this season. He is batting .291 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 251 at-bats. His plate discipline is improving, but he still has to cut down on his total strikeouts. His significant power is evident not only in his home runs, but also in his 18 doubles and 1 triple despite losing time due to his stint with the Indians. A former first baseman, Snyder is viewed as a potential third baseman in the big leagues as early as next season. A late-season promotion may be in store for Snyder.

There is a lack of top pitching prospects in the upper levels of the Indians’ farm system, and the only decent prospect who is posting solid stats is left-hander Dave Maurer. Maurer was impressive at Class AA Akron before being promoted early last month to Buffalo. He has a 4-0 record and 3.22 ERA at Buffalo in 44 innings pitched. He has allowed only 35 hits and 17 walks while striking out 58 batters in 22 games, including 3 starts. Maurer could get a promotion later this season, but at this point he is viewed as no greater than a potential swingman.

At Class AA Akron, catcher Victor Martinez has been impressive. He is hitting .332 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs in 283 at-bats. His plate discipline is impressive, and he has walked 32 times while striking out only 38 times. Martinez is slugging .562, due to his 26 doubles and 13 home runs. He is leading the team with 159 total bases and is the Indians catcher of the future. Expect a promotion to Buffalo and possibly to Cleveland later in the season. Martinez should contend for a starting spot as early as next season.

Each of the Indians’ three young lefties is deserving of the Class AA Akron spot for best pitching performance, but Billy Traber gets the edge on Brian Tallet due to better stats and also edges out Cliff Lee due to the fact that Lee was recently acquired. Traber is 13-2 with a 2.76 ERA in 18 games. He has allowed 99 hits and 20 walks while striking out 82 in 107 innings pitched. Viewed as a future number two or three starter in the majors, Traber will be promoted to Buffalo along with Tallet and Lee later this month. The trio could also see action in the majors later this season, but will more than likely be promoted together.

Class A Kinston has very few position prospects, but 1B Eric Crozier gets the call here. He gained prospect status with his impressive performance this year. Crozier has posted numbers of .326-9-55 with 4 steals in 72 games played. He has played three games in the outfield, but plays mostly at first base. His plate discipline has been solid, with 42 walks and 57 strikeouts in 258 at-bats. Crozier could hit 15-20 home runs in the majors, but would more than likely need more than that to be a regular at first base. If a few of his 16 doubles turn into home runs, Crozier would have an outside chance to get regular playing time in the majors.

Right-handed Fernando Cabrera has been most impressive amongst Kinston pitchers. He has a 4-7 record, but his 3.74 ERA is a more accurate portrayal of his success. Cabrera has allowed 72 hits and 36 walks while striking out 88 batters in 91 innings pitched. Cabrera will be moved to the bullpen in the major leagues, but has been a part of the rotation to build up his endurance. He is only 20 years old, so a promotion to Akron is not imminent.

Class A Columbus has only two players who are classified as “prospects”, SS Ivan Ochoa and OF Willy Taveras. Taveras gets the nod as he is outperforming Ochoa by a large margin. He is hitting only .258, but he has 50 stolen bases in 61 attempts. Plate discipline is becoming a strength for Taveras, as his 43 walks boost his OBP to .381. The rather high strikeout rate (63 Ks in 291 at-bats) needs to be worked on, but isn’t terrible. It would be to Taveras’ advantage to bulk up as his 13 doubles, 1 triple, and 4 home runs could be improved upon. Taveras is only 20 years old, and a promotion to Kinston isn’t likely until next season.

The young trio of Travis Foley, Dan Denham, and J.D. Martin has raised eyebrows for their performance thus far this season. Foley is given the edge over Denham and Martin due to his 3.49 ERA, which has led him to an 8-3 record. Foley has allowed 66 hits and 31 walks while striking out 85 batters in 77 innings pitched. He wasn’t viewed as a top prospect by the Indians, but has pushed his way into their top 10 prospects and may soon crack the top 5 with continued success. All this success for the Indians young pitchers has come despite being on a strict pitch count for developmental purposes, and all should continue to succeed at future levels.

INJURIES:

Omar Vizquel-SS Status: Ailing

Omar has been playing with an injured left shoulder for sometime now. He originally injured the shoulder making a diving catch on a ball hit up the middle, and has played through the pain for over a month now. During this time Omar’s average ahs dropped, but his play ahs still been solid. This isn’t a lot to worry about for fantasy owner’s, but keep an eye on him.

Jim Thome-1B Status Resting

Jimmy took the series off against the White Sox last week, because of a sore lower back supposedly, but he just needed some rest, as he hadn’t missed a game all year. He is getting time to rest during the All-Star break only because he was snubbed, and with nearly a week off altogether Thome should be more then ready to get back in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

QUICK VIEW:

Add:

Omar Vizquel-SS He leads the team in average at .285, and steals with twelve. Omar has also shown power this year with his 10 HR and 47 RBI.

Danys Baez-SP Baez has been tremendous in his first year as a starter, going 7-6, with some tuff luck, and should step up witht eh loss of Bartolo Colon.

Drop:

Ricky Gutierrez-2B He shouldn’t have been on your team in the first place.

Hold:

C.C. Sabathia-SP He is now the young ace of the Indians staff, and should pitch accordingly, and show just what he is made of.
Jim Thome-1B Among league leaders in HR, and RBI, and should finish with 50 plus HR, and 100 plus RBI.
Matt Lawton-OF Je is an all around player, and can help your team tremendously when hot.
Bob Wickman-RP Solid for 35 saves plus.