Slumping Indians to release Michaels

Typical Shapiro fashion. Do nothing. Spend no more money.

It's a start. At least they recognize the mistake. Remember a few years ago when they refused to change things and stuck with the "Killer Bees" -- Broussard, Boone, and Blake? The Bees drove the Indians season into the ground. Blake hit .200 for almost the entire season. Francisco isn't nearly enough and could actually amount to no improvement at all. This is not a significant move. Let see if they add another outfielder and/or a third baseman who we know can hit.

I'm starting to think that LAST year was the fluke year - not this year. Aside from Sizemore and Martinez, they simply aren't that good. A bunch of career .260 light-duty hitters (along with one mega-struggling Pronk) who don't scare any pitcher. Last year they benefited when three broke out (Blake, Garko, and Cabrera) toward the end of the year and hit WAY over their heads. We may be seeing what the team is - for real. We'll see. It's a long season and they haven't yet let anyone run away and hide in the Central. But forget about the WC - I don't see this division producing it.

I hope Ben turns out to be all they hope. Seems like a good move.

I can't remember who wrote it, but someone wrote yesterday that the only way the Indians can really get back where they would like to be would be to trade C.C. Sabathia for a proven hitter. The notion was that, with Laffey and Sowers, the team already has enough starting pitching. What they don't have is a big bat, especially one with some power. When I read it, it made sense to me.

Good luck to J Mike. He hustled every day that he played in the outfield. I suspect he'll do well where he can be in a lineup on a daily basis.

It's about time. While he's not the only problem, Michaels has been a waste of space since day 1.

Ken Blessinger wrote:

I can't remember who wrote it, but someone wrote yesterday that the only way the Indians can really get back where they would like to be would be to trade C.C. Sabathia for a proven hitter. The notion was that, with Laffey and Sowers, the team already has enough starting pitching. What they don't have is a big bat, especially one with some power. When I read it, it made sense to me.

Ken

Why would the Indians be where they would like to be without Sabathia?

Incidentally, there are only three or four teams who could trade for Sabathia this year knowing they have to renew him for BIG bucks next year. You can guess who they are. I'm not sure these teams are going to give up a few good hitters (which the deal would have to be)to the Indians for this kind of trade.

I’d be wary if the trade involved only one hitter and some scrappings from the other team. The Indians shelled out big bucks for another big hitter last year named Hafner.

I like Laffey, but I don’t think he and Sowers will make up for Sabathia's departure. I hope so, but I doubt it.

NEOH Beemer Rider wrote:

I'm starting to think that LAST year was the fluke year - not this year. Aside from Sizemore and Martinez, they simply aren't that good. A bunch of career .260 light-duty hitters (along with one mega-struggling Pronk) who don't scare any pitcher. Last year they benefited when three broke out (Blake, Garko, and Cabrera) toward the end of the year and hit WAY over their heads. We may be seeing what the team is - for real. We'll see. It's a long season and they haven't yet let anyone run away and hide in the Central. But forget about the WC - I don't see this division producing it.
I hope Ben turns out to be all they hope. Seems like a good move.

I agree. The Tribe experienced some of the same sustained slumps last year. If Hafner doesn't perform they are in big trouble. Also Garko and Cabrera were big contributors last year. If they cannot repeat their 2007 peerformance, once again, there is little else in the lineup to pick up the slack. They have been deficient at the corners (OF and INF)for a while and have not addressed those needs. They are now paying the price. We have utility players at the normal power positions of third base and left field, a virtual rookie at second base who we counted on being a number 2 man, a leadoff guy who hits .275 and is one of the league leaders in Ks and a guy pencilied in the number three spot whose numbers dropped off dramatically last year and are worse this year. Lastly we counted on a closer who throws 87 MPH and while he did save 45 games last year, most every save was a horror movie and his ERA was over 5.00. This isn't all that surprising.

Tomaso wrote:

<quoted text>
Ken
Why would the Indians be where they would like to be without Sabathia?
Incidentally, there are only three or four teams who could trade for Sabathia this year knowing they have to renew him for BIG bucks next year. You can guess who they are. I'm not sure these teams are going to give up a few good hitters (which the deal would have to be)to the Indians for this kind of trade.
I’d be wary if the trade involved only one hitter and some scrappings from the other team. The Indians shelled out big bucks for another big hitter last year named Hafner.
I like Laffey, but I don’t think he and Sowers will make up for Sabathia's departure. I hope so, but I doubt it.

You seem to have forgotten that Sabathia is currently 1-5; the trading partner would be taking him more on faith than performance thus far. If we could get a Vladimir Guerrero for him, I would make that deal in a heartbeat.

They say that Choo will be ready in four weeks, at which time they will probably cut Andy Marte. He led the team in home runs in Winter Haven and is playing behind a guy who is hitting .202 and has over his career been one of the poorest clutch hitters among major league regulars. And he has just made game changing errors in two different games. Might be a nice time to see what Marte can do, particularly since he cannot do worse. When we try to put Marte through waivers, he will be claimed and he will be a starter with some team that will let him play. And we will wish we'd have let him play.

What about the rest of them?

Ken Blessinger wrote:

<quoted text>
You seem to have forgotten that Sabathia is currently 1-5; the trading partner would be taking him more on faith than performance thus far. If we could get a Vladimir Guerrero for him, I would make that deal in a heartbeat.

That would not be a good trade.

Sabathia has pitched very well his last outings and the team lost because they can't hit. This is what the current discussion is about. If Sabathia continues to pitch well down the line it will help the team, or at least make him better trade bait if need be.

Guerrero has had a slew of injuries, is 32 (although that's not old compared to you and me), is batting 256, and is in the last year of his contract(plus an option)which pays $14 M yearly. I don't think it would be a good idea to sign this kind of player then immediately have to renew for at least that amount of money at his age and physical condition.

Better to get one or two less spectacular proven hitters and some good farm boys.

Ken Blessinger wrote:

<quoted text>
You seem to have forgotten that Sabathia is currently 1-5; .

I am going to stop you there because that does not tell the complete story. Not even close. Look at Laffey's record right now.

Sabathia's past 2 outings have been pretty good. So has Laffey's.

They both lost those outings. Why? Not because of bad pitching but because of horrendous offense. Or lack of offense.

So pointing out CC's record does not have merit in this. At least not right now.

Ken Blessinger wrote:

<quoted text>
You seem to have forgotten that Sabathia is currently 1-5; the trading partner would be taking him more on faith than performance thus far. If we could get a Vladimir Guerrero for him, I would make that deal in a heartbeat.

I'm sure you are correct about the Angels being a portential suitor for CC.

I didn't know that Guerrero's contract will expire at the end of this season, but I'd still like to have him. He is a born hitter, who would decrease the pressure on everyone else in the lineup. Inasmuch as Sabathia and Guerrero are both at the end of their current contracts, that would make it a more doable deal, in my opinion. I vividly remember 1997, when the acquisition of Matt Williams helped to make the Tribe an offensive juggernaut. If you will recall, Chad Ogea, not exactly a Hall of Fame candidate, won two World Series games for them. Big name players are less important that big-time performers.

This is the worst offense of the Tribe I've seen since the 80's. Pathetic. I think we still have some hitters, but whatever approach Shelton is giving them is worthless. Fire Shelton and get someone in there to spark something up.

Why is it that David Dellucci is looked upon so highly by the Indians? In my opionin they could have just as easily sent Dellucci down rather than Michaels. Granted Dellucci is hitting a little better than Michaels, but there is the constant worry that Dellucci is going to get hurt again.

The bigger questions is when is Derek Shelton going to get the hook??? If it weren't for pitching last year the Tribe would have been pretty bad. We saw how well they did in the playoffs when CC and Fausto were off. This year Travis Hafner, Jhonny Peralta, Casey Blake and Asdrubal Cabrera are all hitting under .220. The team is hitting .240 overall and nobody but Victor Martinez is doing anything with the bat. I think it's time for Shelton to go and to bring in somebody with more experience.

Tomaso wrote:

<quoted text>
Ken
Why would the Indians be where they would like to be without Sabathia?
Incidentally, there are only three or four teams who could trade for Sabathia this year knowing they have to renew him for BIG bucks next year. You can guess who they are. I'm not sure these teams are going to give up a few good hitters (which the deal would have to be)to the Indians for this kind of trade.
I’d be wary if the trade involved only one hitter and some scrappings from the other team. The Indians shelled out big bucks for another big hitter last year named Hafner.
I like Laffey, but I don’t think he and Sowers will make up for Sabathia's departure. I hope so, but I doubt it.

Hafner, more of a BIG QUITTER !!!
Loser

When Cheap_A$$ Dolan opens his purse, moths fly out. The Tribe is hopelssly going no where this season just like in 2006. You can't win when 5 of your starters are hitting under .220 for the season so far.

Hang Hafner wrote:

<quoted text>
Hafner, more of a BIG QUITTER !!!
Loser

I was actually joking about him being a big hitter.