Game 71: Cubs 6, Indians 2
by Ryan on Jun 21, 2009 6:28 PM EDT
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We've come to the end of the 2009 season, at least the competitive part of it. The Indians are now 10 games out of first place, and 13 games under .500. After the Cardinals series, the Indians were 6 games back and 7 games under .500. Last week, there was a slim chance to making up ground, since they'd be getting both offensive and pitching reinforcements. Now, it's time to take stock of who to keep and who to get rid of. Starting with coaching staff.
Today's game didn't involve late-inning dramatics, as there wasn't a chance for the bullpen to blow the game. Jeremy Sowers again ran out of steam as he approached the middle innings. He gave up four runs in the fifth inning, including a two-run double to Jake Fox. Jeremy's in the rotation only because three better starters are on the Disabled List, and one more talented starter is regrouping in Arizona. I can't see the Indians keeping him through the offseason as a starter.
Next Up: An Off-Day, which could be a very newsworthy day.
| Highest WPA | Lowest WPA | ||
| Chris Gimenez | .048 | Jeremy Sowers | -.200 |
| Travis Hafner | .026 | Mark DeRosa | -.108 |
| Mike Gosling | .018 | Ben Francisco | -.080 |
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A Wedge firing would mean that 3/4 of the managers from the LCS just two seasons ago will have been canned this season. This seems incredible to me.
So, with the Red Sox still in first, what crime/indiscretion does Francona commit to complete the square?
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jun 21, 2009 6:53 PM EDT reply actions
A change of staff
Is tomorrow the day for firing? It’s an off day. Can we start speculating on short term and long term replacements for Wedge? Luvullo, Skinner, Valentine, or ?
honestly, this series encapsulates my frustation w/wedge:
utter inflexibility in some areas (wood/reliever usage; abhorrence of certain players/preference of others) and dice-rolling in others (who’s playing/batting where? when do i change pitchers? who pinch-hits now?) …
i accept many of his bromides, but he often seems to lack feel/grasp
"and if it stays fair, it's going to be ... A FAIR BALL!"
by manny trillo electric toothbrush on Jun 21, 2009 7:48 PM EDT reply actions
Were you as depressed writing this recap as reading it has made me, Ryan? Yeesh.
I’m going to take the bet that Wedge does NOT get fired tomorrow. Gotta love the odds I’m getting.
Steel Nick
I think you’re right.
Trade Cliff.
by Gradyforpresident on Jun 21, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know that you’re getting great odds. I certainly don’t think it will happen.
by NickFantana on Jun 21, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
So I’ve got a thought:
What better way to start off a new manager than with a series vs. the Pirates? They aren’t very good and we could easily sweep them (even with Wedge) and the players will be more apt to buy in to what the new manager is saying if they win their first three games under him.
FE WEE
Wouldn’t hurt that the new manager get Grady back in the lineup …
Not to mention Cabrera, Laffey and Lewis all on rehab.
by FallsTribeFan on Jun 21, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve basically come to the following conclusions…
*I agree that much of the blame for this 2009 disaster does not lie at Wedge’s feet
*I don’t care… the club has under-performed their Pyth projection 5 out of the last 6 years…and
*You can’t fire the players…sometimes you need a new voice…(particularly someone like Peralta)…this is one of those times…and
*The last thing I want is this club to start the 2010 season with Wedge and everyone psyching themselves out not to s—t the bed out of the gate since that’s the MO under him seemingly every year… and
*I’ve never been a fan of his bullpen management… he has clearly demonstrated he can’t make (on paper) average bullpens good or (on paper) below average pens average (debate the point if you must… 05 and 07 are potential counterpoints)… and
*We seem to be tactically out-maneuvered every time we play in an NL park… and
*Upon dismissal, the players should realize they’re ultimately accountable and perhaps take it to heart.
Wedge – It’s been fun… you deserved better in 07, I’ll always remember the 40-13 tear in the 2nd half of 2005, but it’s over. Godspeed.
however hyperbolic, yeah, this is essentially my take as well
"and if it stays fair, it's going to be ... A FAIR BALL!"
by manny trillo electric toothbrush on Jun 21, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
ok, well… a couple things to pick at:
— I don’t think Peralta is that good of an example because he is guilty of the things Wedge says about him, IMO.
— An AL team can not hire a manager based on the skills he’ll exhibit in the 10 or so games he’ll play in an NL park per season. If you get to the WS, then sure… make him do his damn research and call around to NL people if he has to.
FE WEE
In a dark hour
We must seek guidance from the wise. Some turn to their faith; some to their elders; some to their own experiences.
Me, I look to my Certified Authentic Jason Stanford Authographed Glossy.
CAJSAG has steered me through rougher waters than these.
by fleerdon on Jun 21, 2009 10:39 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
This sort of dedication to pure obscurity brings tears of joy to my eyes.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jun 21, 2009 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually just thought some people might want to collapse this.
Understandably so.
by fleerdon on Jun 22, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Firing Wedge at this point might qualify as a “mercy killing”. It sure seems like the right thing to do on so many levels.
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin
Remember when Charlie Manuel got fired? I felt bad for him. I thought he was pretty much through, but he wasn’t. Would people feel bad for Wedge? He’s been an even keel sort of guy, taciturn, not displaying his feelings (except in grimaces and blinks). He’s never seemed a crowd favorite, even in 2007,
He’s become, it seems, a psychic black hole, sucking all the joy out of the game for its players. No doubt he would be relieved to be let go, and maybe he could learn to loosen up at his next gig. Though this seems unlikely because he appears to be such an unforgiving man.
Dolans stepping back from the brink.
Sunday evening, Paul Dolan responded in a text message, “I spoke with my father. He refutes that the conversation with you was in any way a statement on Eric’s performance.”
It’s believed no immediate change is planned, but the team’s performance will be evaluated in the near future.
It would be cleaner to make the change at the All-Star break (18 more games). Wedge probably figures if he is out of contention then, he will be gone by then. If they don’t play better in the coming week, the timetable could be accelerated.
Why? If you have any intention of firing the manager in mid-season, just do it now. Does it really matter that much whether we give those 18 games to Joel Skinner or Eric Wedge?
What, Joel Skinner doesn’t already know the players? Pretty much everyone on the roster has reached third base at least once. News Flash: if/when Eric Wedge gets fired, he’s going to be replaced by an interim manager. Said interim manager is very likely to come from within the organization. It may not be Skinner, although I think it probably will be. Maybe a minor league manager from within the system, but it’s not going to be someone who needs to “meet the player.”
Barring exceptional circumstances, it’s pretty stupid to hire a permanent replacement in mid-season, if for no other reason that doing so dramatically limits the available talent from which to select. Unless you (a) really like someone already in the system or (b) think Bobby Valentine is the answer.
I have always felt that Shapiro and Wedge were over rated and would love to see both fired, but is this year a fair judgment of their skills? Just look at the injury report.
Fan in Texas
Exhibit A right here of this place really turning into a madhouse lately. What the heck. Never seen so many blanket statements of opinion in all my time here. Kinda disappointing really. Granted I’m not contributing much these days, so I guess I can’t criticize.
by supermarioelia on Jun 22, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions
I really hated that trade at the time too, but I was stupid then. Still hating that trade is ridiculous.
FE WEE
But if we don’t trade Coco, he could suck for us and be on our DL. Then we could win the Most Guys on the DL Prize. If you’re going to criticize Shapiro, you don’t start with the trades. Really, you don’t.
In the midweek series, the Indians were the only AL team swept by an NL team.
This weekend, the Indians were joined by the Royals and Rangers.
Meanwhile, Colorado is 18-5 under new manager and they are in the NL wild card hunt,
only 1 1/2 games behind the dreaded wild-card leading Giants, who have scored 270 runs (15th in the NL), 100 fewer than the Indians.
I don’t pretend to know much, but I do know Jim Riggleman isn’t the answer.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jun 22, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t pretend to know much, but I do know Jim Riggleman isn’t the answer.
Correct. The answer is 42.
by woodsmeister on Jun 22, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
So, I’m obviously hopeful but skeptical that a change will be made today. If it is, shouldn’t we have heard something by now?
But wouldn’t a press conference have been called?
Trade Cliff.
by Gradyforpresident on Jun 22, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
It looks like the offensive reinforcements are on their way. Grady says he’ll be activated tomorrow, and Asdrubal is headed to Franklin County tonight.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jun 22, 2009 1:45 PM EDT reply actions
Still don’t think offensive reinforcements are what this team needs, though maybe we can win a bunch of 12-9 games. Worse for me is that I read the comments (yeah, stupid me). Pick one:
NEW COACHING STAFF: why cant this happen???TONY PENA
SANDY ALOMAR JR.
TRAVIS FRYMAN
TROT NIXON
(keep) JOEL SKINNER
or
I forgot Laporta….I like him much better than Garko.
I got sucked into the comments section too. I stopped before the LaPorta one though. Classic.
And offensive replacements aren’t going to do much at this point. My new goal for the season is to finish above the Royals.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
At least we both have better-than-even chances of seeing Grady play this year. Although a tiny part of me is looking forward to St. Louis at Wrigley on July 10 more than Seattle at Progressive Field on July 16.
Should be.
But I was thinking of the upgrade from Crowe when I wrote it. We’re talking Francisco, that’s a whole other story.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Yea my original comment was replacing Francisco with Grady
Crowe hasn’t really impressed me in center thus far, but I understand he is a better defensive player than what we have without Sizemore
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