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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:99
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:99
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:96
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:97
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:97
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:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 8, 2006
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I never finished my thoughts on Travis,
last years playoffs really raised some flags for me.
Oh yeah, how can I forget Jo Bo!! I like the Raffys where they are, lets see what Kobeyashi can do! I dont know, its worth a shot!
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 20, 2008
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IndyWVUgrad: okay, this isn't exactly what you were asking for, but maybe it's close enough: http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/player/splits/2008/
21493. I guess he hasn't been THAT horrible with runners on (not that good, either), but I agree... let's give Andy Marte a chance.
And I don't have a great reason why Travis Hafner is batting third. V-Mart just seems to be more comfortable batting fourth, which has put Pronk in the third spot by default... even though I agree that we should move him down a few slots until he regains his form.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Mar 29, 2007
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I have to respectfully disagree.
Hafner hit well today. He's at .261, which it isn't great, but it's early and he's never been an early in the year hitter.
Plus he's been without Victor for awhile, and there still searching for a 2 hole hitter.
Give it time, no need to rush and make such a big change, it'll pan out like it did today.
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Reputation:42
Level:Rookie
Since:Apr 13, 2008
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My first post on this forum.
How come everybody except Tribe management knows that Francisco should be in left field and Dellucci should be gone? Michaels is a very nice fourth OF, and comes at a nice price. Dellucci has had an average career, at best. I don't see how he helps us. Eat the contract and get rid of him. The Tigers did it with big money (at the time) Damion Easley. Admit the mistake and move on.
Why all the Casey Blake hatred? He's not a superstar, never pretended to be, but he is a solid baseball player and his ability to play multiple positions makes him valuable, even if his BA with RISP stinks. Maybe he shouldn't be starting, but Marte hasn't done anything to warrant more than an occasional at bat.
As for Mr. Hafner, fans will hate hearing this, his big contract was a mistake. Trade him, if you can. I don't know what you can get for a DH with no arm, no speed, no power and a .260 BA. Every strike out or dink into LF makes me cringe. It is truly painful to watch him bat. The man has totally lost it. Don't tell me about slow starts. It's been over one full season and he hasn't found any consistency. I don't question that he's working on improving, but the top pitchers don't fear him any more.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 24, 2006
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Personally, I dislike Casey Blake because he is talked about as being so solid and underrated he's overrated. People seem to think that since you're guaranteed to get a .270 average, 20 HR, and 75 RBIs from him he's a solid player. That's just not correct.
He has average defense and power for a third baseman. He doesn't hit for average either. He stinks with runners on base. The fact is he should be on the bench as a super sub, not as a regular at a position most teams are getting a lot more production out of.
I'd like them to do away with the Delucci/Michael platoon and give the spot to Ben Francisco. He's only hitting .172 in Buffalo but I think he's pressing too much down there trying to earn a spot in the majors. You give him a guaranteed regular spot and watch him grow into a .285, 20 HR, 95 RBI player in two years. Might as well give the spot to him if he'll match the production coming out of the veterans.
Why is Franklin Gutierrez not playing every day? We don't need to see Michaels or Delucci anytime soon, they're veterans with no ceilings. If they were hitting a combined .280 I'd see where the problem is, but they're stinking the joint up.
We need to find a real leadoff hitter, because Grady Sizemore is a #3 hitter. He's beginning to develop his power swing, and he strikes out way to much to be effective.
The one thing I dislike about the Indians is that they have a total lack of speed and defense in their regulars. Grady Sizemore is the only player in the starting lineup that has plus speed. Cabrera and Sizemore are the only plus defenders. I would have much rather seem this team built to play small ball and score 2-3 runs every night instead of this inconsistent, all or nothing approach now.
For right now though, my ideal lineup would go:
CF- Grady Sizemore
SS- Absdrubal Cabrera
3B- Jhonny Peralta
C- Victor Martinez
DH- Travis Hafner
RF- Franklin Gutierrez
1B- Ryan Garko
2B- Josh Barfield
LF- Ben Francisco
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 11, 2007
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Hafner is way too important to consider benching. He went 2-5 today with 2 RBI's. He had the game winner last week in Oakland. He is hitting as good a V-Mart and Peralta. Garco and Grady are our 2 hot hitters right now. I think Hafner is going to be on track with his normal 100+ RBI's and he may get hot and smack over 30 HR's. He is the Tribe"s top slugger and should be in the lineup always. Moving him down in the lineup wont help him, it will hurt him. I think he should be our number 3 hitter so he gets grooved stikes more often with V-Mart batting 4th.
Go Tribe!
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