The Outfield

David Dellucci finally got released, I wonder if anyone will pick him up??? (He could always go to Houston and platoon with Jason Michaels!!!) Rafael Perez was called up to replace Dellucci on the 25 man roster for the weekend series against the Yankees. I'm guessing Tomo Ohka's stay will be short lived in the majors, especially if Travis Hafner is expected to come off the DL on Monday.

The Indians need to call up a 4th outfielder from Columbus with the subtraction of Dellucci and Grady Sizemore's arm trouble. That leaves Trevor Crowe, Ben Francisco, and Shin-Soo Choo. This would prevent Wedge from using guys Ryan Garko, DeRosa, and Jamey Carroll in the outfield. If Sizemore doesn't get better he really should be placed on the DL.

Josh Barfield needs to fill in the utility role. I would ratherBarfield be called up instead of Clipper's outfielders Matt LaPorta or Michael Brantely, they need more time in the minors and Crowe is alreay on the squad. Plus LaPorta was just up and he shouldn't be bounced around, he did that all last season with the trade, the olympics, and moving between double A and triple A.

Garko finally got to play 4 games in a row and whaddya know, the Indians won 4 games in a row. Although Garko went 0-3 on Thursday with 3 strikeouts while playing leftfield he was very productive in the first 3 games including 3 homeruns in 2 consecutive games. What does this tell us??? Give Garko more regular at-bats at first base, don't play him in the outfield. Also stop playing DeRosa in the outfield, play at him 2nd base and send Luis Valbuena to Columbus where he can play everyday.

Barfield and Carroll would be great to have on the bench together since they can play a lot of positions and are faster than the rest of the team.

Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore

The Indians say Travis Hafner might be ready to return to the lineup on Monday officially coming off the disabled list. Hafner stated that the set back in his rehab assignment was not a back issue as reported earlier but actually a "dislocated" rib. He said it's nothing to worry about and that its happened to him before. I hope its not serious if he is coming off the DL.

I wonder what will happen to Grady Sizemore since he has been DHing lately with Hafner's return. It's hard to imagine Wedge pulling the trigger and putting Sizemore on the DL. Otherwise look for Luis Valbuena to get sent down and Mark DeRosa to become the everyday 2nd baseman.

Injury Update

Anthony Reyes (SP): Pending diagnosis but most likely out for the season.
Scott Lewis (SP): Starts rehab assignment soon.
Jake Westbrook (SP): Starts rehab assignement in a week.
Aaron Laffey (SP,RP): Out 4 - 6 weeks, this is a huge blow to the pitching staff.
Joe Smith (RP): Starts rehab assignement in a week.
Travis Hafner (DH): Set back in rehab with back stiffness.

If any of these guys can return to the big league roster healthy and ready to play it would be extremely beneficial to the entire team. Look for Aaron Laffey and Jake Westbrook to go back to the starting rotation in replace of the likes of David Huff, Jeremy Sowers, and Zach Jackson.

Roster Moves

In order for the Tribe to be successful Eric Wedge needs to do the following:

- Make one lineup and stick to it, its ok to give people days off and what not but switching the batting order and positions on a daily basis is getting us no where fast.

- Send Luis Valbuena back to Triple and recall Josh Barfield. Valbuena is in the same boat as Matt LaPorta, if he's not playing everyday in the majors he shouldn't be on the team. Let the kid develop.

- Make Jhonny Peralta the 3rd baseman, Asdrubal Cabrera the shortstop and Mark DeRosa the everyday 2nd baseman. We went into the offseason looking for a 2nd baseman, we got a 2nd baseman, DeRosa was a 2nd baseman, and then we move him to third. Cabrera is the best defensive shortstop on the team let him play the position. Peralta and DeRosa on the left side of the infield equals too many errors.

- Put Grady Sizemore on the DL, I don't care if he is Superman, he's hurting. Didn't we learn anything from Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez playing hurt last year???

The lineup should look something like this:
1. Asdrubal Cabrera - SS
2. Mark DeRosa - 2B (Jamey Carroll)
3. Victor Martinez - C/1B/DH
4. Shin-Soo Choo - RF
5. Jhonny Peralta - 3B
6. Ryan Garko - 1B/DH (Kelly Shoppach - C)
7. Ben Francisco - LF
8. David Dellucci - DH/LF
9. Trevor Crowe - CF

Tonight's Lineup (May 27)

Eric Wedge never ceases to "amaze" me. He continues to play Grady Sizemore as the DH in the #2 hole of the lineup. Wedge himself has stated that he has concerns about Sizemore's ailing elbow. Sizemore has not been producing much lately, especially not enough to make the DH and bat him 2nd. What is Wedge thinking??? Let guys like Jamey Carroll and Mark DeRosa bat 2nd and let guys like Ryan Garko and Victor Martinez DH for the time being, heck you could even use David Dellucci against right handed pitching.

I also find crazy that Wedge wanted to keep Luis Valbuena on the roster instead of Josh Barfield stating that Valbuena offers a left-handed bat. Well tonight against the Rays Andy Sonnanstine, a RHP, Valbuena is on the bench.

In all Wedge has 3 left handed hitters on the bench in Dellucci, Valbuena, and Trevor Crowe, a switch hitter (who was called up to help fill in for the ailing Sizemore no less). For whatever reason Wedge wants all 3 of these players on his 25 man roster but refuses to play them in the roles they are intended for. I am not a big fan of Dellucci or Valbuena (over Barfield that is) but if they are the team he should use them for what he says he is going too.

I get the Matt LaPorta move, he wasn't getting regular at-bats but tonight they have Mark DeRosa in left with outfielders Crowe and Dellucci on the bench, again against a RHP.

Make a fricking lineup and stick to it. Winning takes a little consistency!