Tribe Year End Grades

Let’s start from the top down.

Ownership: A-
The Dolan family committed huge money to Travis Hafner – the largest contract ever given to an Indians’ player, among other notable long-term signings recently. They opened up the purse strings. However, this current organization has never taken on a relatively large contract in the middle of the season for the stretch run. We will also watch closely the offer made to CC. Signing him is arguably the single most important move they will make in the next several years.

Mark Shapiro: A
We have covered this already. He has produced an excellent farm system and a playoff team (96 wins) in 2007 with a mid-range budget. He should get votes for MLB GM of the Year honors.

Eric Wedge: A
“Mr. Vanilla” isn’t flashy or creative, but he grinded out 96 wins and got the Tribe within one win of the World Series with his best hitter having a sub-par year. He should be a shoe-in for AL Manager of the Year in 2007.

Victor Martinez: A
He was their best everyday player in 2007. He improved his throwing and hit .300 again. Who else would you want at the plate on this club in crunch time?

Ryan Garko: B
He isn’t pretty to watch – a pretty good hitter who can’t field much at 1B. But his offensive numbers were pretty good for a veteran – much less a rookie.

Astrubal Cabrera: A-
He played like he belonged from day one – solidifying the line-up in the #2 hole while playing solid defense at 2B. He trailed off some in the post-season, but has a bright future.

Jhonny Peralta: B
He bounced back after a sub-par year in 2006 – mainly due to a great first half offensively in ‘07. In the post-steroids era, a 20 homer/75 RBI middle-infielder is hard to find. In fact, he led all SS in HRs this season. He’ll never win a Gold Glove and a move to 2B seems logical with AC being better defensively at SS. I would resist the urge to deal him, even though that will be the talk from much of the local media and an uneducated fan base.

Casey Blake: B-
In my Webster’s Dictionary (Deluxe Second Edition), under average major league player, it has a picture of Casey Blake - without the facial hair. He’s a decent fielder, decent hitter, with decent power, who runs decently. Actually, he is a terrific athlete in that he can play several positions relatively well – but you get the point. If he’s making the league average - $4-5 million per - he’s worth keeping in the #8 or #9 hole while playing 3B.

Left field: C+
Kenny Lofton gave them a jolt when he came on board. However, this position needs some attention. But don’t expect them to go out and sign a 30 homer/100 RBI leftfielder over the winter. They don’t have the money. You are likely to see another platoon there.

Grady Sizemore: B+
My chip is coming through here. He has a world of talent – but the lack of contact at the plate is a real problem. Yes, he’s very good. But I’m not falling for the hype. He should be a .300 hitter and needs to step up in the playoffs. There’s nothing worse than a guy with terrific talent who doesn’t use it all.

Right field: B
Gutierrez got most of the at bats in the second half and did a nice job. He, like many of his teammates, struggled in the playoffs. However, he earned 500 ABs in 2008. We aren’t likely to see another platoon situation there next summer – unless he fails.

Travis Hafner: C-
We’ve covered this with TH since July, before anyone else even bothered to pay attention. If you are a DH, you have to hit. It’s that simple. He didn’t hit nearly enough in the regular season and was MIA in the playoffs. Don’t fool yourself, the Indians will need a big rebound year from him next summer if they hope to be as good in 2008 as they were in 2007. I'm a Hafner fan on a personal level - he's a good community guy.

CC: A-
He was a true #1 during the regular season. The post-season was a different story. We’ll see if he gives them a “hometown discount.” I doubt it.

Carmona: A
He gets the A because he was the “X Factor” that got them in. No one – absolutely – no one, expected this kind of year from him after his 2006 season. We’ll give him somewhat of a pass for his meltdown against the Sox because he’s a kid.

The Rafael Tandem: A
The Indians had the best combination of set-up men in baseball this year. They were outstanding all regular season long. Yes, Betancourt was much better than Perez in the post-season. But overall, they both had terrific seasons. I can’t imagine them being any better over 162 games.

Paul Byrd: A-
He got the most out of his talent and pitched well in the post-season. He has an option left and should return.

Jake Westbrook: B-
His regular season was so-so – partly due to injury. He was better down the stretch and in the playoffs. He’s a solid middle of the rotation starter.

Lewis/Laffey: B+
The Indians’ farm system came through big-time, providing the big club with much-needed depth on the mound following flame outs by Lee and Sowers.

Kelly Shoppach: B+
Shoppach is an outstanding #2 who did a nice job handling Byrd and filling in for Victor. He’s an excellent defensive catcher with some pop in the bat. The Tribe would be wise to sign him long-term, especially if they want to continue to give VM some work at 1B. Quality receivers are especially hard to find.

What would I do heading into 2008?

I’m glad you asked.

First and foremost, make every attempt to sign CC in the off-season. If it is clear that is not going to happen, I would deal him before the 2008 regular season began. The temptation will be to keep him and make another run before they part company after ’08. Shapiro already said that’s his route if they can’t sign him.

I’m thinking long-term, here. I let the Yankees, Red Sox, etc… know he’s available – if I can’t sign him – and wait for the bids to come in. From a PR standpoint, you take a short-term hit with the fans, but the talent level that would be coming back in return should soften the blow some. And three years from now, intelligent observers will recognize that was the right move if the guys you get in return can play. This is where your scouting staff has to come through.

If you can’t sign them – you can’t let them walk (see:Belle, Ramirez, Thome). Others will see it differently. Again, I am thinking long-term on this one.

Secondly, move Cabrera to short and JP to second. We’ve covered this numerous times already. It makes sense. Although, I already heard Shapiro saying JP is the team’s SS in 2008. That makes no sense. Ask the pitchers on the roster who they would rather have at SS. It is simple, you play your best defensive middle infielder at SS if you have that luxury. They do.

Third, the organization has good depth in terms of pitching – especially starters. That’s rare in baseball. I would look to move a couple of those arms in search of an OF bat prospect that is clearly better than anything I have in the system.

The good news is there aren’t many serious holes on this team. The holes they have (i.e. leftfield), can’t be filled through free agency because the money isn’t there. Their 2008 roster will likely look a lot like the 2007 team.

The Indians should have a good club in 2008. But remember, the Yankees and Red Sox can add major talent in the off-season, because they have the cash, and they can make adjustments in-season, again, because they have the cash.

Those are the teams you are likely going to have to beat if you want to win a World Series and play in the AL. That isn’t going to change with the current system in place.

Let’s hope they stay healthy,, they sign CC, Carmona is the real deal, Travis bounces back and the Rafael boys are outstanding once again next summer. If those things happen, they’ll be playing in October in ’08.