Season 15 Indians

Wait til next season is the cry in Cleveland! Really couldn't put my finger on the real reason they were not in the playoffs this season other than they sucked during the stretch run. The late season trade for Pascual Berroa was a perfect fit as everyone kept putting him in a position to fail. He is happy being an Injun and has claimed LF as home. The pickup of B.C. Bennett was also another fine acquisition but (always one) he doesn't really have a position to call home on the roster. Could a trade next season be imminent? Mickey Greer was a great pickup in the Rule V draft as he can play both CF and 2B, maybe not the greatest. So what will the Indians look like next year?

The Field

C - Bart Ross of course.
C - Albert Valenzuela makes a great backup. However him and Bennett could be used as trade bait for a good pen pitcher. Jose Blanco could be given the backup job as he finally displayed his DITR ability at AAA this year and could be more valuable to the pen.

1B - Deivi Silva started the season playing LF and did an admirable job. After the Berroa deal however, he gets to play 1B. Management and fans were excited about this rookie but had a less than stellar season at the plate.

2B - Mickey Greer or Eswalin James as management is quite unsure which should play where.

3B - Karim Quevedo has been told it will be his home next season, the fans didn't like the move. The fans fell in love with Trace Wallace as the thong factory will tell you.

SS - Sean Smalley has temporarily won the job. Coaches tell me he could be a GG SS if I leave him be.

RF - Giovanni Jackson is the reigning GG and really the actual Silver Slugger also if you ask me. So no doubt in my mind he will be there again.

CF - Eswalin James is the player I think should be here but may wind up on 2B if Greer stumbles too badly.

LF - Pascual Berroa gets the position readily as he proved to be an awesome lead off hitter.

Bench
Trace Wallace is a fan favorite but undersized for 3B but can play several positions very well.
B.C. Bennett is a good 1B with no place to play other than DH.
Pascual Zapata like Wallace is a jack of all trades and plays a better 3B.

The Starting Pitching Staff

Brant Brede, Roy Little, Tito Gao and Anthony Riley have solidified their hold as starting pitchers. The starting staff was a minor irritation as I couldn't find anyone that wanted the 5th spot in the rotation.

The Pen

This has been a thorn in my side for a long time and will go under major reconstruction next year one way or another.

Ross Bland and Johnny Zeile are the only ones that have secured a spot for next season.

Jose Crespo is the only other player that may have a spot but is a FA and will wait and see during the off season.

Matt Brooks, Pedro Roque and Boomer Thomson are in the coaches dog house big time.

Quilvio Olivares had a good season in his limited action but at 39 may find retirement a better option.

Grant Simon can find a job at the local pancake house as far as management is concerned.

A look at the minor bubble. Overall we have some nice prospects in the minors and a couple that could be trade bait, no, Boone is not for sale or trade.

AAA coaches were high on Ivan Blasco but after arriving the coaches didn't really like what they saw in him and didn't give him a chance to show off, maybe next year he gets a chance.

Virgil Lee couldn't handle the Bigs so he was sent down and showed his displeasure and may find his way to the trade block next season or the burger bar.

Hugh Maloney displayed great defensive catching abilities this year and will move up the ladder to see how he does.

Johnny Brown has the AA coaches on his side, but will need to have a great roll and ST to impress at the ML level.

Dean Boone could he be the 5th starter next year? He is young and maybe another year in the minors could be a better choice.

Rudy Bryne was a DITR this year, can ya tell? A good roll and ST could garner him a job at the ML level after 3 muck years in the Rookie League. Coaches don't like his splits but the potential is there. Like most DITR's that show promise, might have to wait til he is 26 or 27.

Manny Wagner and Brad Cook, both could find themselves on the roster in a short roll.

Felix Higashioka could find his way onto the ML roster also as the backup SS and primary versus lefties.

Overall analysis shows we have a good defensive line up though underachieving at the plate. Pitching is a problem area especially in the pen. Be sure the Indians owner and GM will be after FA pitching next year and will have the money to do so. Possibly a monster power hitter also.