INDIANS-9/4/02

LATEST TEAM INFO:

The Indians have converted Danys Baez to the closer role, a role which he is much better suited for. Dominant out of the bullpen last year, Baez should excel in his new role. As an added bonus, Baez’s $4.1 million salary will be amongst the cheapest closers in baseball. The Indians, as well as many fans, are thrilled by this move.

The team is out of the playoffs, but is still hoping to finish second in the AL Central. They believe that a strong finish will carry momentum into the rebuilding process and provide hope for a team littered with rookies.

Don’t look for a large number of rookies to be called up late in the season. The Indians fear that many of their young pitchers have already thrown too many innings, and don’t want to tax them with extra work in the big leagues. There is the possibility of a number of positional players and a few pitchers being promoted after the minor league playoffs.

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:

Fans will get their first look at the Indians’ young talent with the September call-ups. Shortstop Brandon Phillips will be the main attraction, and should be up shortly after Class AAA Buffalo’s departure from the playoffs. Big performances from key prospects could provide much hope for fans that disapprove of the rebuilding process.

A large number of fans are concerned about first-baseman Jim Thome’s future in Cleveland. Many feel that he’ll be a big part of our rebuilding process, but this corner disagrees. Thome is aging, and his back is in poor shape. He simply won’t be the same player in 2005, the year the Tribe plan to contend. The back issue is too much to expect Thome’s production to remain consistent for future seasons, although he should post solid stats next season.

RUMOR MILL:

Trading isn’t an option, but September call-ups are. Expect to see many of the prospects acquired in recent trades, as they are both a key part of this rebuilding process and the only proof GM Mark Shapiro has that his trades will work out. A few names (Tallet, Traber, Lee) aren’t likely to see much – if any – action in the big leagues due to overtaxed arms.

DOWN ON THE FARM

Every minor league team in the organization made it to their league’s playoffs with the exception of Rookie-Level Burlington. A testament to the Indians’ minor league system, every minor league affiliate played outstanding ball for much of the season. The Indians deserve praise for such a marvelous job done in preparing not only for the future, but also for winning now in the minors.

INJURIES:

2B Ricky Gutierrez – Neck Injury

Gutierrez’s playing career could be coming to an end. In need of season-ending surgery, Gutierrez faces two tough choices. The first is to have on disk removed, and face the possibility of being paralyzed should he bump the other one in the future by sliding into a base. The second is to have both problem disks removed, thus ending his playing career. He is currently debating his options, and we can only hope for the best.

RP Bob Wickman – Tommy John Surgery

This could end up to be a blessing in disguise, with Baez getting an opportunity to close out games in a position where he is best suited. Wickman will miss all of 2002-2003, and should be ready for spring training of 2004.

LF Matt Lawton – Sore Shoulder

Lawton is still being bothered by the separated shoulder that he suffered earlier in the season. Playing with a sore shoulder, it is hard for Lawton both hit and throw at times. Lawton should see an increase in productivity in 2003 when healthy, but that hasn’t stopped the Indians from shopping him to other teams.

QUICK PICKS

WHO’S HOT

OF Karim Garcia
OF Ellis Burks
2B John McDonald
SP C.C. Sabathia
RP Danys Baez

WHO’S NOT

1B Lee Stevens
3B Greg LaRocca
SP Jaret Wright
SP Charles Nagy
SP Ricardo Rodriguez