The Indians are hanging on to the youngest manager in the big leagues
Eric Wedge got his extension, which I am fine with, but some people are up in arms about it. I don’t think he is horrible..he’s not the best there ever was, but between him and Mark Shapiro, they are doing good things with a $60 million team.
I’m not sure why people tend to complain about managers so much. I know they are important but I think the players play SOME part in the success of the team. It’s like..if a manager pinch hits with somebody and they strike out, people are like “great move, genius.” But what about the guy who struck out? To me, managing is a basic strategy plus some instinctive moves..that’s it. Wedge seems to do the basic things all right..pinch running to try to get the winning run in, moving players around for better defense late in the game, and starting players with the best chance of success against the opposing pitcher.
I probably shouldn’t talk too much about this because I’m not really an expert in managerial duties (heh..duties), but I will anyway. Wedge has done all right as far as I can tell, but there are some things that have bothered me. The main thing was his decision not to give Ryan Garko a starting spot at the beginning of the season. Even though he only played for a couple months last season, it seemed pretty obvious that he could hit, even if his defense wasn’t good (but he’s turned out to be a decent fielder). But that all worked out, so all is forgiven (as Kramer would say “it’s all water near a bridge”).
On another note..I’m anxious about upcoming trades. One rumor is that Cleveland is interested in Kenny Lofton. I actually like the idea of having a wise old sage leading off. But really, he may be a bit older but he’s still got it. Plus, it would allow me to bust this poster back out:
The question is..who would the Indians give up? If it’s someone that the Indians don’t have room for, I’ll be ok. I’d like to see:
Lofton
Blake
Grady
Hafner
Vmart
Every game would start out: Lofton singles/walks, Blake moves him over, Grady knocks him in with a base hit, Hafner homers and it’s automatically a 3-0 game. You’re guaranteed three runs to start every game, it can’t miss.
Another need is bullpen help. Imagine this:
Aki/Lidge/Gagne
Perez
Betancourt
Borowski
Fultz
Mastny
I’m really liking the Rafael combo meal. I’m fine with Borowski. Fultz, besides allowing inherited runners, was doing well before his DL holiday and Mastny isn’t awful, just average right now. That’s a good bullpen, but adding one of those other guys would make the best bullpen since..sliced bread. But what does it take to get one of those guys? That’s the eternal question..
Well, that’s it for me..let us all hope for some good trades in the upcoming weeks.
Cory
