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Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 13, 2006
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I know it's early but I think that Travis Hafner should drop down to the sixth spot in the lineup until he gets back to his old form. Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, and Ryan Garko should be the 3, 4, and 5 hitters for now. They are hitting really well right now(they are really the only ones hitting at all right now(and Grady Sizemore)). I love Pronk but we need to win some ball games before we dig an early hole. We could use Kelly Shoppach more, you can always have V-Mart and Gark play DH and 1st given Haf's continued troubles at the plate. And then we don't have to worry about Martinez's hamstring as much. He's too important right now to our struggling lineup to risk a long-term stint on the DL.
Wedge should continue to shuffle David Dellucci, Jason Michaels, and Franklin Gutierrez in the corner outfield spots till someone starts hitting(Dear Shin-Soo Choo, now would be a great time to have a breakout year when you're back from the DL!). I would even consider using Blake in rightfield some days just to get Andy Marte more at-bats at 3rd and give Gutierrez a day off without having to use Michaels in right.
I'm not talking about benching any of the starters but we have to shake things up a bit and find a groove.
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 20, 2008
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I mainly agree with you. I like the idea of shaking up the lineup, but are you suggesting that Travis Hafner should spend some time on the bench so that Kelly Shoppach can catch (and put Victor Martinez at DH)? That would be a little extreme. I like Shoppach, especially since he can give Pronk, Garko and V-Mart the occasional day off... I just wouldn't want to see Hafner spend a lot of time on the bench, just because he's off to a pretty sub-par start.
If there is a guy that should be moved to the bench, make it Casey Blake. I would much rather see Andy Marte as our everyday 3rd baseman. Or -- as you suggested -- let Blake float around in the corner outfield spots for now. I can't wait for Shin-Soo Choo and Ben Francisco to supplant Jason Michaels and David Dellucci.
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Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 13, 2006
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I don't want to se Hafner spend a lot of time on the bench either, I just wanted to point out some options and Shop did perform decently at the plate as well as behind it when he was filling in for Vic. And I don't know if Hafner is off to a slow start or picking up where he left off.............
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 20, 2008
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Then agreed. This offense has to start playing up to its potential... the Indians haven't exactly taken advantage of the Tigers' horrible start.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 14, 2006
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You know Tribe95, I am lost for words here. Part of me wants to completely join the make changes wagon and agree that Travis should be bumped. The other part of me wants to wait just a tad longer before making such a big line up change.
We certainly cannot wait like we did last year to see Travis come back to form. This division is too good to wait too long before management needs to figure something out. Remember, Victor was out a good week of the season, you were out on the west coast for a week, and the weather in Cleveland has still been overall, cold. Some guys need a little longer to get started.
The major problem is that we are second to last only to Detroit. I imagine you are sitting at home thinking that Detroit isn't done yet? Right? Regardless of Detroits pitching problems, part of you have to think that Detroit is having early season problems but is still a front runner. Well, part of me thinks the same about the Tribe. I just fear that Hafner has never gained the same form ever since he broke his wrist. He is not the first ball player to struggle with such an injury because of his bat speed. I am not a doctor, but I have to think this could be an issue that seems to continue to be swept under the table.
I love Pronk. I still think he is an assest to this team. However, I guess I continue to struggle with understanding why Shapior thinks this team gets better with subtractions of your ball team. This goes back to the day in which you won 95 ball games (1 game away from a playoff) and traded CoCo to Boston for a guy who never amounted to crap thus far (Marte) and another who is a very decent back up in Shoppach (who could start on several other teams). This past year you decided not to resign Lofton and keep Dellucci instead. For all of the good Shapiro has shown in signing young talent for a long time, he lacks in knowing when to hold them and knowing when the fold them.
This team knew damn well that they were a hitter away. They failed to sign a bonafide outfielder or third baseman (even though I like Blake). Its tough. Sometimes I just don't understand how you can justify waisting 4 to 5 million on Dellucci when you probably could have resigned Lofton for the same amount while adding a above average spark to this line up (regardless of his age). And, if you didn't sign him, they could have made a move like Minnesota made for C.C. if you weren't going to make a serious effort in the off season to make a champion.
This team is in my opinion is one player away from serious contentiion. That lineup has to produce. Wedge needs to figure it out. What do you think. Am I just emotional right now?
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 15, 2007
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Casey Blake is the one who needs to sit. Does anyone know where I can find stats of how many runners he has left on base already this season? It has to be around 15! Bases loaded with Blake up? Here's comes the double play groundout! Let's give Marte a chance! If he doesn't get it done, I guess we can go back to Blake if that is the best option we have. Can Garko play third??
Oh, and can anyone give me a GOOD reason that Hafner bats third instead of Victor?
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 8, 2006
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Lots of question marks right now regarding the Tribe. Starting Pitching, Pronk, the ever annoying Michaels/Dellucci platoon are just a few.
I think dropping Travis to the 6 hole could benefit him and the team. I would go with Sizemore, Cabrera, Peralta, Vic, Ryan Freakin Garko, Travis, Gutierrez, Michaels/Dellucci then Blake in the 9 hole. Its early so dropping Pronk could take some pressure off him and let him get his swing back(hopefully, last years playoffs really
As far as pitching goes, Im not too concerned. If you look across the league starting pitchers seem to be getting off to a slow start. CC is pitching for a contract so hopefully he will get it going soon.
Michaels/Dellucci: Im not too big of a fan of these two guys and like others hope Wedgie gives Franscico a shot soon.
Other thank that, hopefully they get their heads out of their arses soon and start laying ball like they are capable of doing!
GO TRIBE!!
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 8, 2006
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Lots of question marks right now regarding the Tribe. Starting Pitching, Pronk, the ever annoying Michaels/Dellucci platoon are just a few.
I think dropping Travis to the 6 hole could benefit him and the team. I would go with Sizemore, Cabrera, Peralta, Vic, Ryan Freakin Garko, Travis, Gutierrez, Michaels/Dellucci then Blake in the 9 hole. Its early so dropping Pronk could take some pressure off him and let him get his swing back(hopefully, last years playoffs really
As far as pitching goes, Im not too concerned. If you look across the league starting pitchers seem to be getting off to a slow start. CC is pitching for a contract so hopefully he will get it going soon.
Michaels/Dellucci: Im not too big of a fan of these two guys and like others hope Wedgie gives Franscico a shot soon.
Other thank that, hopefully they get their heads out of their arses soon and start laying ball like they are capable of doing!
GO TRIBE!!
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 8, 2006
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