Thu, Nov 26 2009
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Josh Weir, on Baseball: Taking a look at ’09 for Tribe What’s certain? There’s a lot of uncertainty heading into next season JOSH WEIRCanton Repository n CANDIDATES — John Meloan, Adam Miller, Brendan Donnelly, Juan Rincon, Edward Mujica, Bryan Bullington, Rich Rundles, Tom Mastny, Brian Slocum.
If healthy, Miller has the stuff to be a closer some day, but plenty of questions need to be answered about him. Meloan is an interesting candidate who the Indians handled carefully because of his high innings pitched after getting him in the Casey Blake deal. Trying to figure out the rest of these guys is like trying to put together a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle while wearing beer goggles. Just be ready for plenty of open competitions in spring training. Zach Jackson has the ability to move to the bullpen. n FREE AGENTS — Francisco Rodriguez, Bryan Fuentes, Brandon Lyon, Jason Isringhausen, Eric Gagne, Bobby Howry. The closer list is K-Rod, Fuentes and a bunch of clearance bargain bin guys. It sounds as if manager Eric Wedge would like the Indians to get another reliever capable of closing to give the team some options. A closer competition between Lewis and Reliever X sounds reasonable. Infield n DEFINITES — Jhonny Peralta, Asdrubal Cabrera. Peralta and Cabrera will be in the infield next year. At what positions is the mystery. If the Indians find a second baseman in free agency, then Cabrera will move to short and Peralta to third. If they get a third baseman, then Cabrera and Peralta will stay at second and short, respectively. However, keeping Peralta at short just seems like delaying the inevitable. Even Wedge indicated that Peralta’s future is at third. Peralta is a mediocre defensive shortstop. He’ll likely be a mediocre defensive third baseman. Moving the slick-fielding Cabrera to short can do nothing but improve the Indians’ defense. n PROBABLES — Ryan Garko, Jamey Carroll. The thinking here is Garko did enough in the second half to save his job at first base. Victor Martinez likely will spell him occasionally. Don’t forget prospect Matt LaPorta can play first. It would be foolish to not pick up the 2009 option on Carroll. All good teams have talented utility players, and Carroll is suited perfectly for the role. n FREE AGENTS — Orlando Hudson, Rafael Furcal, Hank Blalock, Nomar Garciaparra, David Eckstein, Mark Grudzielanek, Orlando Cabrera, Blake, Joe Crede. Hudson, a Gold Glove second baseman, would look great turning double plays with Cabrera. The Rangers have a club option on Blalock, who would seem to be on his way out with the pitching-needy Rangers. He averaged 26 homers and 95 RBI the four seasons prior to an injury-plagued 2008. Blake returning to Cleveland is very much a possibility. Crede’s achy back makes him a risk. Outfield n DEFINITE — Grady Sizemore. 
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