Hafner to be the 1B in Reds series.

Grab a glove: The Indians open the interleague season Friday against the Reds at Great American Ballpark. DH Travis Hafner is expected to play first base if he's healthy enough.

Hafner has a chronically sore right elbow that has flared in the past when he's tried to play first base. He's also been frequently icing his right shoulder.

Of course, it's not like years past when the Indians were in dire need of Hafner's bat. Hafner entered Wednesday's game hitting .223 (29-for-130).

"We want to try and have him in there as much as we can," said Wedge. "If we have him in there, you're going to have to take Ryan Garko or someone else out.

"We're going to see how he feels physically. . . . He's been taking ground balls and throwing a little bit."

Hafner didn't play any first base in spring training. As giving Hafner something to think about besides hitting, Wedge said, "Maybe it just gives him something else to worry about. You can't mask what's going on."

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I would imagine this is a pretty fluid situation .. another big day by Garko at the plate could change some minds.

almost 4 years ago Toxicadam 57 comments 0 recs |

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Given that Hafner’s not good 1B and when he plays there it makes his elbow hurt, and Garko’s struggling, and we had an open roster spot before it was occupied by Jason (Gasp!) Tyner…would have seemed like a nice opportunity to bring up Aubrey and give him a few ABs…no?

by APV on May 15, 2008 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

The conspiracy theorist in me sees this as a way to put Hafner out there. If he “happens to hurt his elbow and has to go on the DL and rehab”, I will be donning the tin-foil hat.

by painaxl on May 15, 2008 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

that’s a level of paranoia I’m not quite willing to commit myself to, yet. I’ll still stick with the old stand-by – Marte won’t play no matter how much sense it makes.

by APV on May 15, 2008 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

i’m glad I’m not the only one who thought that.

Disclaimer: this post doesn't mean what you think it means.

by AngG on May 15, 2008 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

first thing that crossed my mind. not sure if it was a “hope” or not… but it’s weird when we’ve reached the point where a DL stint for Hafner would be something other than a disaster.

by still ill on May 15, 2008 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought the same thing.

At the very least, it obviously wouldn’t seem like a blow to the team if it happened.

by Jay on May 15, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, Garko seems to be getting unlocked over the past 3 games (admittedly a short trend), at least with power. Does it make sense to bench him when me might finally be finding his stroke?

by Denver Tribe Fan on May 15, 2008 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

...You can’t mask what’s going on.

for some reason, that makes me cringe. even wedge has thrown his hands in the air.

by Brick. on May 15, 2008 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

Now that I’ve read it, I actually think they’re hedging about whether Hafner will play 1B—“if he’s healthy”, blah, blah. I read that as he might, he might not.

The “mask” comment is also interesting. I think Wedge was saying that he thinks Hafner is preoccupied with his bad hitting, that it’s totally gotten into his head, and that it’s obvious—that’s what can’t be masked.

Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but for what it’s worth.

by peter m on May 15, 2008 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

So is there any possibility that playing the field will help take his mind off the hitting woes?

by emd2k3 on May 15, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Wedge was implying that, but in a “whatever” kind of way.

by peter m on May 15, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Hoynes has suggested this before. That’s why he asked Wedge the question. It was Hoynes’ idea that putting Hafner in the field will take his mind off his hitting problem.

by odradek on May 15, 2008 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

How could Hafner not be preoccupied with his hitting problems?

It’s his whole job, and he goes to work 13 days out of 14 for eight months.

I don’t see his preoccupation as a problem, it’s just the reality.

by Jay on May 15, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

...until Aubrey gets called up to replace Sowers after Friday’s start.

by The DiaTriber on May 15, 2008 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

i would love to see that.

by Brick. on May 15, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Let’s Go Former Green Wave!

by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

You think a bat? Not Elarton or Bauers?

by peter m on May 15, 2008 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

i’d say not till there’s a hint of needing the bullpen more – especially in the NL park where wedge is apparently considering PH’ing CC because we have so few options off the bench.

by Brick. on May 15, 2008 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s a LH bat (which was the flawed explanation of Tyner’s promotion) and a good glove at 1B.
If we’re not going to find out what we have in Marte, we might as well figure out what we have in Aubrey.

by The DiaTriber on May 15, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

This assumes Wedge would play him. I don’t see it, with Garko, Martinez, Blake and even Hafner in front of him. That doesn’t make it right, but if he gets called up, he’ll play one game and then sit.

by peter m on May 15, 2008 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d be pretty surprised to see that.

by Jay on May 15, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been trying to come up with a better alternative with Sowers surely being optioned on Saturday and have yet to come up with one more compelling than Aubrey. Assuming that Brodzoski (The Close) is coming back next week, you almost have to rule out anyone without options remaining or anyone who would have to be DFA’d that you actually had an interest in keeping (I’m not sure if this includes Elarton or not).

But the Indians wouldn’t call up a Bauer, Rundles, or Gonzalez as they actually may have an interest in keeping them in the organization for longer than the stint of this player to be elevated would be.

Mastny can’t come back because of the 10 day rule, neither can Tyner (thank goodness).
The position players already on the 40-man (and yes, I know it’s at 39 right now) with options would be Barfield, Snyder, Torregas, Aubrey, and (technically) Choo.

I suppose a Slocum or a Santos could come up (I’m not even mentioning Atom Miller a call-up to initiate his Wainwrightesque path to lock down the 9th inning in Cleveland), but relievers aren’t what’s needed right now. I could see the Elarton promotion happening if only as a “favor” to him in that promoting him, then DFAing him would force a decision by all other MLB teams on whether or not to add Elarton (which is what I think they did with Tyner).

Would they play Aubrey if he came up? Probably not, but I’m missing the “obvious” alternative that would make his promotion so surprising.

by The DiaTriber on May 16, 2008 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I had thought a reliever because of the National League series. They might be forced to pinch hit in close games, which would require more use of the bullpen than we’ve been seeing. You have a point about not wanting to lose guys when Borowski or Westbrook returns, though. To me, that argues Elarton (who I don’t think really figures in their plans and isn’t going to be much more than a middle reliever for them) or some one the 40 man (Mujica?) or someone with options (as you say, Slocum or Santos). I’d imagine the Indians are also pretty worried about Betancourt, at this point (I am), so another reliever might seem more urgent.

by peter m on May 16, 2008 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Not that I think the guys they could call up would be anywhere near as good as Betancourt—but they may want to try someone to see what works out. That’s why Elarton makes sense to me; they have some experience with him and he has had some success in the major leagues, at least sporadically.

by peter m on May 16, 2008 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions

My best guess is that it would be Mujica. As you said Mastny can’t come back (unless we Dl someone) and JoeBo isn’t quite ready yet. The other pitchers on the 40 (Scott Lewis, Miller, Santos, Sipp, and Slocum) really don’t make much sense for a “cup of coffee”.

With Tyner off the 40, that does open a spot for Elarton, Bauer, or a Rundles, but again like you said, if we add them, we most likely end up DFAing them the following week when JoeBo comes off the DL.

Only other cjhoices on the 40 (Aubrey, Barfield, Snyder, Torregas, and Choo) also make little sense. (To me anyways)

So I’ll go with Mujica as he can easily sit in Mastny’s old corner since he did it quite a bit last season.

The real tough decisions come in 2 weeks when Choo and Westbrook will both be ready. Then we most likely will lose somebody decent off the 25/40.

by talonk on May 16, 2008 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

For what it’s worth, Tony Lastoria cites “an informed source” that

Buffalo first baseman Michael Aubrey is being seriously considered for a callup to Cleveland.

He’s also got a quote from Ross Atikins on Aubrey:

“He has picked it up since he came to this environment (Triple-A). He feels just that much closer to the major leagues, and he has really been great since he has been here. He has been good defensively, he has been running the bases hard, and he has been putting the bat on the ball as his batting average is up over .300. He has been awesome and we are fired up about him and his health. As excited as we are, I can’t imagine how much fun he must be having seeing his name in the lineup for an extended period of time. He is now potentially a major league option.”

by APV on May 16, 2008 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s an interesting quote, but all it’s really saying is that he’s in the same pool with Brad Snyder.

By the way, contrary to what that article says, Aubrey is not in his last option year. He is in his third option year, but he’s a clear-cut case where MLB will grant a fourth option.

Also a classic case of why the owners got the union to extend Rule 5 exemption (and therefore option clocks) an extra year. Under the new CBA, Aubrey probably would have had not only a 2009 option, but a 2010 option as well.

by Jay on May 16, 2008 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

When was Aubrey added to the 40-man? Also…does it matter how many options he has left since he’s playing his 6th professional season (i.e. can’t he become a minor-league free agent at the end of the year)?

by APV on May 16, 2008 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

You can’t be a minor-league free agent if you have a major-league contract, i.e., you’re on the 40-man roster.

Also, six-year free agency is for at least six full years since signing. Aubrey signed in June/July 2003, so he’s only at five-plus years at the end of this season.

Aubrey was added to the 40-man at the end of 2005, the first time he would have been exposed to Rule 5. (Under the new CBA, he wouldn’t have needed protecting until a year later, and by that point, Aubrey may well have been left off anyway.)

by Jay on May 16, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

despite my obsession, I will never learn minor league contractual rules

/pounds himself on the head

by APV on May 16, 2008 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess, after the Tyner move, nothing will really surprise me.

If the idea is to get the most useful player on the roster, I think that’s Snyder, or if the bullpen gets tapped, Mujica.

by Jay on May 16, 2008 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Curiously, why Snyder over Aubrey, position-player wise?
Both are LH and I would think that Aubrey represents more of an upgrade defensively over the 1B options than Snyder does over the OF options. The fact that 2 of the OF can play all OF would mean that Snyder’s usefullnes would be tied to…speed?

I know it’s a minor move and it’s probably Mujica (so Luis Isaac can talk about how great he is), I’d just like to see what Aubrey can do given the organization-wide struggles of the offense.

by The DiaTriber on May 16, 2008 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Speed and defense, yes, but I take your points.

by Jay on May 16, 2008 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I can understand curiosity and intrigue about Aubrey, but I can’t understand wanting to see him taking up a spot on the big-league roster or getting big-league at-bats. Regardless of other hitters’ struggles, Aubrey has been at best an 800 OPS guy not just in Triple-A, but in Double-A as well. He hasn’t demonstrated any more major-league readiness than Wes Hodges, and nobody thinks he should be called up.

I can’t dismiss a sudden, shocking return to his former high expectations, but those are at least three whole years out of date. It would be a shock along the lines of what Josh Hamilton did last year — Aubrey’s been less out-of-the-loop than Hamilton but was never considered to be at the same talent level.

In conclusion: HIRE CHRIS GIMENEZ!

by Jay on May 16, 2008 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t disagree with any of this. Except that I feel like a necessary addition to the whole above conversation is this: Snyder sucks.

by dgcambridge on May 16, 2008 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d recommend looking back at Snyder’s numbers. I’m not saying he’s great, but I don’t think he’s as bad as you think he is. Especially when you consider plus defense and base-running abilities.

by APV on May 16, 2008 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe he’s not as bad as I think. Obviously the issue has been his contact rate and plate disclipline. I know we’re still just into 2008, but his K/BB ratio is worse than ever. I don’t have any reason to think it would be worse at the major league level. His 2007 isn’t bad, but it’s not good enough to give him the benefit of the doubt over the same old problems popping up in 2008.

And I would say be that we already have a pair of decent defensive young outfielders with borderline bats who like to strikeout.

Maybe I’m underestimating his defensive ability. Is it enough that we’d be tempted to regularly sub him in over Francisco late in games? (no sarcasm, general question).

The thing is, I’m in line with your take on Aubrey below. I do wonder if he’d be a better 25th man right now. Snyder’s bat doesn’t seem like it would fit as a PH. But Aubrey’s got that good contact ability. And I don’t think it’s all rose-colored glasses with us and Aubrey. I think it’s also a matter of having heard several times the Indians opinion of him, and their treatment of him. I believe the organization thinks he can hit. It’s hard to push through the feel-good BS in statements from the FO (i.e. as Garrett Atkins talks about Aubrey here), but I think it’s there.

by dgcambridge on May 16, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think there’s any reason to think Snyder could outperform Francisco. And although his defense and base-running are both considerably better by all accounts, probably not enoug to make up for the difference. But if Snyder could ever reign in his huge K-rates, I think his ceiling is higher (“is” being fairly ficticious here) than Francisco’s, as he has better all around skills (running and defense), walks more, and has (arguably) more pure power.

by APV on May 16, 2008 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree that we have to take Atkins’ rah-rah talk with a grain of salt.

by Jay on May 17, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

You do realize, it’s Ross Atkins, not Garret, right?

by Jay on May 17, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes. It was funny in my head.

by dgcambridge on May 17, 2008 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

This is completely unsupportable, but I do feel like Aubrey would be a decent major league hitter (~300/350/450) now. I have no rational explanation as to why, I just feel like he’s a very “professional” hitter.

/shaking his head at his own complete lack of credibility

by APV on May 16, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I thank you for sharing your feelings, and for knowing they’re feelings. Your credibility is intact with me.

by Jay on May 16, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

That looks like a lot more than a “decent major league hitter”!

by Voltaire on May 17, 2008 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

that’s just a decent first baseman…probably a little below average

by APV on May 17, 2008 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Kinda like what we have now?

by peter m on May 17, 2008 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

last year Garko was (I think) a little above average. This year he’s obviously not in the early going.

by APV on May 17, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

This thread quickly moved away from the subject of the post.

Hafner playing 1B doesn’t generate much enthusiam with the people here or Wedge or probably Hafner himself.

Who thinks Hafner would rather play 1B than sit on the bench?

by palcal on May 16, 2008 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Who cares about Proon?

by supermarioelia on May 16, 2008 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

i think snyder to pinch run / double switch is about as likely as anything.

by Brick. on May 16, 2008 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I think that the Tribe should call up Andy Marte. He’s been in Buffalo, or Akron, or wherever the heck he is, long enough, and deserves a chance to prove what he can do in Cleveland.

by Fiddlesticks on May 16, 2008 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

I thought they traded him for Garrett Atkins?

by peter m on May 16, 2008 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Also, apparently his middle name is Manuel. That’s right, we could be referring to him as Manny Marte. Try and tell me Wedge would sit a guy with that kind of jovial name.

HIRE MANNY MARTE

by supermarioelia on May 16, 2008 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

awesome

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on May 16, 2008 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Now there’s a great idea: Marte can resurrect his career by changing his name! Wedge can be made to believe he managed to get rid of his white elephant backup third baseman, and replaced him with a toolsy line-drive hitting former minor league phenom to work with.

Hey, If it worked for Joey Belle, there’s no reason it shouldn’t work for Manny Marte.

by Fiddlesticks on May 16, 2008 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions