I am a little behind, because I was actually incredibly busy at work today, but it appears as if Grady Sizemore will miss what I am guessing is the first month of the season after undergoing back surgery following a 'strained back' he suffered while fielding grounders in spring training.
Let's just accept one thing, the days of Grady Sizemore playing everyday are officially over. At one point he was the leading active player in 'games started streak', but even then he was way behind Cal Ripkin Jr, and Craig Biggio. So what is Grady Sizemore now? Well, if he plays like the Grady Sizemore of late April/May of 2011, he is a pretty special talent still. There is also no debate that when healthy, he is a one of a kind talent both offensively and defensively. So should we be upset by this?
No. I am actually not that upset that Sizemore is out. We need to accept that he isn't an everyday player, and is it really that hard to? Our DH doesn't even DH every day because he needs rest too. What Sizemore is, is specially gifted at many baseball activities. We own his rights, and we have tons of possible fill-ins who can be serviceable at the major league level. Our offense wasn't banking on Grady to carry it. We are banking on Santana, Choo, Asdrubal, and Kipnis for the runs this year. Our defense isn't going to take an extreme drop-off except for in ballparks with spacious outfields, because Michael Brantley is a good defensive CF, and we have about 50 guys who can play left field. At home, playing left field is even easier, since speed isn't a factor with the outfield wall at The Jake. I want to see what LaPorta, Cunningham, and Canzler can do for us. LaPorta may be better since it is his natural position and he isn't thinking about defense any more. Call me crazy, but I prefer him in LF if he is going to play daily.
Lastly, this is setting the Indians up for making a huge trade for a post-season run, without making a trade! Let's let Grady take all the time he needs. Rest his knees, get that back 100%, hold him back on his rehab, and force him to not push it back too soon. He is a competitor and wants to be on the field. My biggest concern is he overdoes it and re-injures something. Let's get the trainers to REALLY SLOW his rehab. Then come June/July have him get those AAA ABs, and then plug him in. I am sure we will be banged up by then anyways, and we will add an elite talent that is healthy. We don't need him healthy for the whole season, we need him healthy in the key months, and to get hot when we need that extra offensive/defensive boost down the stretch. The same stretch that the whole team gassed out in last season.
So let's not get bent out of shape about another Grady injury. I will always remember the days of him playing every day and being one of the most unheralded stars in major league baseball. And I don't like seeing his legacy being tarnished with a swarm of injuries that remind me of Ken Griffey Jr's days in Cincinnati. However, Jr was still able to stay healthy for half a season here and there, so let's use all of the juice Grady has, and let's hope those few months where we will see are the months we need that shot of adrenaline to get us back into the playoffs.
Get well Grady. And be there in the summer please. The Gradies Ladies section is always better to see in the summer.
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