Published October 12, 2008 01:53 am - The Indians promise they will not be complacent this offseason.
A Patrick McManamon column: Indians say they will be on ball in offseason
PATRICK McMANAMON Akron Beacon Journal
The Indians promise they will not be complacent this offseason.
“We need to go out and be relentless,” Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro said last week at a season-review get-together with the media.
At another point, he said the Indians would be “steadfast and relentless.”
Which is one steadfast more than relentless.
This is good, because even though Shapiro identified a lot of positives that came out of a disappointing 81-81 season, there still is much work to do.
Shapiro added the need to add a quality starter on top of what was already known: a closer, a better bullpen and an infielder (either a second baseman or third baseman).
The priority seemed to be the bullpen, and it remains a high one.
But Shapiro said that when he looks at his major-league team, he feels “least comfortable” about the starting rotation.
“I’d feel better if we had one more experienced top-of-the-rotation guy,” Shapiro said.
Interesting.
Because the Indians had been adamant that they expected Jake Westbrook back. The Indians have not changed that stance, but Shapiro’s position that he needs a starter reflects the reality that nobody knows how Westbrook will be when he comes back.
Rehab from Tommy John elbow surgery has improved greatly, but until Westbrook is back, he has to be a question mark.
The reality is that the Indians, after Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona, have a lot of uncertainty in the starting rotation.
Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey, David Huff, Anthony Reyes, Zach Jackson and Scott Lewis all have talent but have yet to succeed consistently.
Until they do, there will be questions if they can.
Print this story
Post to del.icio.us
