Life Starting to Imitate Art as Cleveland Indians Roster Shapes Up
The Indians signed another complete stiff yesterday. I am starting to wonder if Dolan's master plan is to make like a real life documentary of the movie Major League. If you haven't been paying attention, the Tribe has added the likes of Mark Grudzielanek, Austin Kearns, and Shelly Duncan as well as Mike Redmond who was picked up yesterday. If Mark Shapiro goes farther down the bottom of the barrel with his signings Willie Mays Hayes and Kenny Powers may be next in line for big league contracts.
Why do I sound so disgruntled? The Indians have traded 2 Cy Young Award winners in the past two seasons along with just about everyone else who has a right to be playing in the big leagues on their roster except for the ones that take very odd pictures of themselves. The added signings via free agency have a combined average of .246 and hit 6 homers, and 49 RBIs last year in the 684 at bats in the big leagues. Grudzielanek and Redmond are both nearing 40 and are closer to collecting pensions than contributing to a pennant.
The ace of the Indians, occupied by Cy Young winners CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee pre-firesale, is a battle between someone who is coming off Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch at all in 2009 and Fausto Carmona who went 5-12 last season with a 6.32 ERA. Not exactly the 1-2 punch that most teams are looking for.
With the roster the Indians have compiled, it looks like they will probably lose at least 100 games. Somewhere, Eric Wedge is laughing to himself while incoming skipper Manny Acta is wondering how things could actually be worse in Cleveland after having to manage the Washington Nationals the past few seasons.
Comments
Mike Redmond is a career .287 hitter. Mark Grudzielanek is a career .290 hitter in addition to winning a gold glove at second base in 2006. Austin has had trouble with injuries the past two years, but in his last full season he hit .266 with 16 homers and he's only 29. Shelly Duncan led The International league (AAA) in home run with 30, he would have been called up in just about every other organization but with Mark Texiera at 1st, the world champion yankees didn't need him. 3 of the 4 signings are minor league deals with absolutely no risk and Mike Redmond was given a 1 year deal worth a whopping $850,000........Speechless?....I thought so.......and by the way if my memory serves me correctly, Willie Mays and the Indians made the playoffs. Your apology for posting this garbage is accepted
15 July 2006
5 hours 24 min
Duncan is a 30 year old career minor leaguer with lifetime Major League average of .219. I am sure he will help Columbus compete for a International League title this year. Grudzielanek is turning 40 years old this year. Redmond is a bum. Kearns was once considered a power hitter and hit 3 homers and 17 RBI while hitting .195 in 174 at bats last year. Be honest with yourself. All these guys are stiffs. Look at last years roster and compare it to this years. With a much better roster in 2009, they lost 97 games. I will gladly wager you that the Indians will lost at least 95 games this year. Want to take the bet?
You do need veterans on your team so this old age arguement isn't going to work. It's not like these guys have been brought in to fill long term starting roles, they've been brought in to fill a hole that Trot Nixon and Kenny Lofton left in 2007. I don't understand why so many Indians fans are so pessemistic. Why will you not recognize the talent on this team? I also hate it when you people say it's Shapiro's fault. Mark brought in Kerry Wood and Mark Derosa last off-season and Cliff and Victor would have stayed if the players hadn't underacheived. I think the Indians are doing extremely well considering their circumstances.
sorry, Willie Mays HAYES
I couldn't agree with you more! They should change the name of the team to "Doland's Discounts!" I realize that it's not a huge market, but the talent on this team is questionable at best!! It's like ever year, the tribe will have a good talented player and then trade his for 3 players, 2 of which who will be playing in Buffalo for the next several seasons!
I wish Doland would sell the team!!!
Rich
coachincleveland.com
Sorry I misspelled Dolan!!
Rich
Coachincleveland.com