And yet I can't wait for mid February. Just as watching the Indians all but sent me into convulsions, they rattled off that 7 game streak and almost cracked 70 wins. Still, Manny Acta took a team expected to lose 90+ games and... went right ahead and lost 93 games. Boo. Hiss. There were a staggering number of disappointments this past season and none of them was more revolting than the performance of the so-called manager. Manny's a nice guy; I'm sure the kids love him. The issue is that he simply has no business leading an MLB team. It just crystallized for me; he's a babysitter, not a leader. That's the translation of "he's good with a young, rebuilding team." It also gives us a very clear demarcation of when the team has turned the corner and might win again. Simply put, if Acta's here, the team is not committed, nor does it expect, to win.
Enough of the bellyaching. Let's take a look at what I think are givens for next spring...
C - Carlos Santana ('Nuff said)
1B - Matt LaPorta (If he's healthy, he'll be given every opportunity to succeed)
SS - Asdrubal Cabrera (One of 3 Indians to qualify as Type A in the Elias rankings)
LF - Michael Brantley (Hopefully he's not just a second half player)
CF - Grady Sizemore (Assuming micro-fracture recovery goes as planned)
RF - Shin-Soo Choo (The best thing going on this team)
DH - Travis Hafner (As long as we're still paying him)
SP - Fausto Carmona (Nothing's changed here. He looked masterful down the stretch)
SP - Josh Tomlin (The only other starter I believe has a guaranteed spot)
CP - Chris Perez (My bet as our all-star next season)
Barring unforeseen circumstances, these are all easy calls.
Here are some bolder predictions -
2B - Jason Kipnis (He won't be there on opening day because of that arbitration clock nonsense, but whoever runs out against the White Sox will only be keeping Kipnis' grits warm.)
SP - Mitch Talbot (Pretty sure, but he's got a short leash)
SP - Jake Westbrook (He comes back at a hometown discount. Believe it.)
SP - Carlos Carrasco (Straight out of camp)
Bullpen - I think someone signs Germano, but the rest of the bullpen comes back mostly unchanged. Rafael Perez, Tony "Gasman" Sipp, and Frank Herrman all reprise their roles from this past season. Justin Masterson, despite assertions that he'll arrive in Goodyear as a starter, become a back-end reliever. Vinnie Pestano, based on a strong showing in the last two weeks, wins a job unless he tanks it in Arizona. Add Chris Perez and we have a 6 man 'pen. Now some scrub vet may be added to pepper "experience" into the clubhouse and he may steal the spot of any save the closer. Or they may carry 7.
Backup C - Lou Marson is likely resigned to his life as a career back-up and he knows the staff. Those are his only strong points. Luke Carlin looked pretty damn good after his late recall, despite my deprecation. I'm betting on Luke. In fact, I'll straight out apologize to Carlin after his bomb on Sunday (his 2nd). Luke, I was wrong. I'm sorry. I've got your back come the thaw.
Complete Unknown (Like a rolling stone) -
3B - Marte. Gone. Believe it. Goedert? Unless he tears up in March? Probably not. Nix? God, I hope not. Here's a quick jaunt out onto a thin branch: Kevin Kouzmanoff gets not-tendered by the A's and make a triumphant return to the Jake. At least until Chisenhall is ready.
Odd Men Out -
Luis Valbuena
Jensen Lewis
Aaron Laffey
David Huff
Jess Todd
Jeremy Sowers
Chris Gimenez
Enough for now. Let that percolate until the New Year and we'll check again.
Cheers.
