The Observer, October 6, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 6
Indians end season with more questions than answers
It is safe to say that what transpired during the 2006 season for the Cleveland Indians was not expected. The Tribe was expected to contend for the Central Division championship in the American League this year, but instead finished fourth with a 78-84 record.
It was a bizarre season that was undone by poor relief pitching and defense. The bullpen ranked 11th in the league in ERA and was last in winning percentage, while the defense made 118 errors and ranked second to last.
If those are not the two reasons behind the Indians' troubles this year, then there might not be any explanation. Outside of those two areas, the Indians statistically were one of the best teams in baseball this year. They outscored their opponents by 88 runs, the fourth best margin in the AL and fifth best in the majors. Their starting pitchers finished third in the AL in ERA and the offense ranked second in runs scored and doubles.
Where does this leave the Tribe heading into the off-season? With a lot of questions, that's for sure. Except for Grady Sizemore in center field and Travis Hafner at designated hitter, no position is set yet for 2007.
One of the positions in question is shortstop. Last year, the position was Jhonny Peralta's domain as he burst onto the scene with a great rookie year. This year, however, he struggled to make adjustments at the plate, swinging and missing too many off-speed pitches low and away. He also lacked range in the field.
Tribe manager Eric Wedge continues to show confidence in his shortstop, however, and it appears as though the job is Peralta's to lose next year.
"He will commit himself and will do what he needs to do mentally, physically, and fundamentally [to succeed]," Wedge said. "He cares about the way he plays, and this year beat him down a little bit. You have to be so tough to play this game for 162 games. He will be tougher for it."
Another position not yet set is first base. However, Ryan Garko arrived from the minor leagues mid-season and showed he could hit at the major league level, driving in 45 runs in 50 games. He should be the frontrunner for the job next year.
"I've been pretty happy with the way I've played up here," he said. "Playing in the majors this year was one of the challenges I wanted, and I thought these last two months went pretty well."
One reason why the Indians are still uncertain whether he will be the everyday first baseman is his defensive ability. Garko, a former catcher, is still learning his new position.
"I'm getting to where I want to be," he said. "My goal is to be above average at first base."
While uncertainty abounds at numerous positions in the field, total chaos has been prevalent for much of the season in the bullpen. Closer Bob Wickman was traded in July, leaving a gaping hole at the back end of the bullpen. With a thin free agent class, it is going to be difficult for the Tribe to find someone.
Since that's the case, pitchers currently on the team will have to step up. One of them might be Tom Mastny, who pitched well in the closer's role in August until arm fatigue cut his season short.
"The outcome was a little more than I expected this year," Mastny said of his season. "It was the first time I had ever closed games. It was something new and challenging."
Who is going to close and who will play first base are just two of the many questions that the Tribe must answer this off-season. Who is going to play second base? Can Andy Marte hit consistently enough to play third base for an entire season? Where does Kevin Kouzmanoff fit in the picture? What about Shin-Soo Choo? The list goes on and on.
These questions will need answers in order for the Tribe to be able to settle on an everyday lineup by opening day next year, meaning that it will be an off-season at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.
