A Quest Called Tribe

Wow, I am in a much better mood tonight.  I guess that the complete thrashing of a division rival will do that. 

Let's talk 40-man roster.  As of today, two men (Josh Tomlin, Shin-Soo Choo) are on the 15-day disabled list. Of the remaining 38 players eligible for work in the bigs, 34 of them are active with the Indians right now.  That number will go to 35 of 39 by Saturday when Mitch Talbot is activated to make the start against Minnesota.  Most likely, the Tribe will transfer Tomlin to the 60-day DL to open the spot, as the young right-hander has been shut down for the season. 

In the 11-2 victory that brought the boys back to within a game of .500 (I am still fervently hoping for 82-80, which would require a 5-2 finish), we were treated to players thirty two, three and four on the depth chart.  #34 is, of course, Zach Putnam (8.31 ERA, 1.62 WHIP).  For a lengthy rant on Putnam, see yesterday's post. 

#33 would be Cord Phelps.  Phelps, who came in to pinch run for Travis Hafner after Pronk knocked his 1000th career hit, went 0-for-1 to drop his season average to .138.  Cord was considered "more major league ready" than Jason Kipnis when the former was promoted in early June.  Oh, how the tables have turned.  Phelps has not cracked a hit in almost three months, a span of 24 at-bats.  He has been allowed just 2 AB's since September 3rd.  Kipnis, on the other hand, launched his 7th homer tonight and has produced a staggering .917 OPS during his debut season.  Phelps' OPS is about half of that.

#32 belongs to Corey Kluber.  The low ranking has much more to do with his season numbers at AAA (7-11, 5.56), than the two appearances that he has made for the Indians.  Despite putting five men on his 2.1 innings, Kluber has pitched his way out of trouble.  Corey has not surrendered a run, while fanning three.  He will get a look for the fifth rotation spot, or even the long man role, next spring.

Speaking of which, it's so early, but I cannot resist.  Who will be the Tribe's starting five in 2012?  Three guys are in for sure.  Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez and Josh Tomlin will form the top 3.  Who's out?  Well, Carlos Carrasco is lost for the season after Tommy John surgery.  Although he started quickly and drew rave reviews from many (including me), David Huff is 0-4 with a 7.11 (.306 OBA, .912 OOPS) in September.  Manny Acta has obviously lost confidence in the lefty and Huff (4-17 over the past two seasons) would have to dazzle in Goodyear, if he even makes it that far.  So three are in, two are out and everyone else is in play.  Jeanmar Gomez looks to have cracked the code of MLB pitching (5-0, 1.80, 0 HR since his last recall) and should have the inside track on the #4 spot, although that is far from a sure thing.  Zach McAllister (especially if he can add another quality start this season), the aforementioned Kluber and Mitch Talbot will all be in the mix.  What's that huge elephant over there?  Oh, yeah.  Him.  In my opinion, the organization should thank him for 2007 and cut ties with Fausto Carmona.  This will probably not happen, so Fausto (34-58, 5.05 ERA, 1.50 WHIP excluding '07) will be in contention as well.  We shall look at this more as the off-season progresses, but do not place any money on Carmona making the 2012 opening day roster.

Here's to seeing #31 (Luis Valbuena) tomorrow.

Cheers.

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A Quest Called Tribe

I am utterly and completely sick of Manny Acta.  While it has been a long, roller-coaster season for both the players and the manager, Acta honestly seems to have lost his freakin' mind.  True, there is not much left to quest for (the Tribe can officially no longer meet my 85 win projection), but there is still pride, second place and a winning season.  Manny is utterly oblivious to all of this.

Yesterday, with a Game 1 win and a 4-3 lead after 6 innings (props to Zach McAllister) of Game 2, who did the "Former Montreal Expos" (his words) call on to hold the lead?  Zach Puntnam.  Zach Putnam?  Zach.  Mother.  Fucking.  Putnam.  The non-prospect went right ahead and handed the game to the ChiSox by allowing hits to 3 of the first 4 and then unceremoniously plunking Paul Konerko before taking his 10.80 ERA and first big league loss to the showers.  Weird that Nick Hagadone (a man with an actual future in the majors) came in and tossed 1.2 scoreless.  With all of the options available to him with expanded rosters, after playing the 7-8-9 game perfectly in the top half of the twin bill, Acta looked like a colossal idiot in gifting Chicago with a victory.

"Oh," you say, "Manny was just testing the young talent in a key situation."  Hmm.  Even if we disregard the fact that Putnam does not qualify as "talent," Acta went right ahead and did himself one better (worse?) this evening.

Hang on, I have to breathe.

First, Manny refused to pull Ubaldo Jimenez.  He refused to pull him after six 1-run innings and a 2-1 lead.  He refused to pull him as U hit 100 pitches and allowed the Sox to tie the game.  He refused to pull him following 2 seventh inning walks and a wild pitch.  Jimenez remained in the game long enough to serve up a two run single to Alejandro De Aza on pitch 116.

Not so bad, right?  4-2?  The Indians, back in the hole, still clung to a chance for a late inning comeback.  In fact, the bats put up two in the bottom of the 8th.  The game goes to the 9th knotted at 4.  What?  Really?

Yeah, I forgot about the most compelling piece of evidence that Acta has gone off of the reservation.  With his team trailing by two, with so many goals left to play for, with that huge fucking stable of arms in the 'pen...

I might not be able to say this...

Acta brought in Chad Durbin (FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) to pitch the 8th.  Durbin was able to retire three hitters, that much is true.  Around those outs, though, the White Sox scored four runs on three long balls.  Yes, three home runs.  I have not the lexicon to explain the intense level of apathy and misjudgment that might allow this to happen.

Bah.

I will delve in to personnel issues when the season is done.  For now, let me say this...

Priority #1 for 2012 MUST be adding Mike Sarbaugh to the major league coaching staff.  My preference would be for him to replace Crack-ta, but I shall remain realistic (for now).  For those who do not know, allow me to briefly detail Sarbaugh's resume.  He has managed for 8 seasons (2004-2011) and has risen from SS-A (Mahoning Valley) to AAA.  He has never had a losing season (worst @ .522, career .585).  In those 8 years, he has won FIVE league championships.  In each of the past two years with the Clippers, Mike's team has taken both the Governor's Cup as the IL Champion and the AAA National Championship.  During his 22 consecutive years within the Indians organization, Sarbaugh has won championships as a player, coach and manager.  He has already managed 22 of the 40 man roster (excluding rehab stints).  Enough is enough.  If for no other reason than to change culture, Mike Sarbaugh needs to be with the Tribe in 2012.

Here's to Acta getting crushed by a falling piano.

Cheers.