Following a split against the Rays, the Indians have completed the first half of the season with a record of 44-41.
Standings:
- The Tribe is 3.0 GB in the AL Central trailing the Chicago White Sox, and only a .5 game up on the Detroit Tigers.
- In the Wild Card the Indians are a game behind the Orioles and Angels.
I will try to do Rays game recaps when I get a moment, but in a quick wrap-up, the Indians split with the Rays, which is good, but we really needed this series. The Rays are beaten up, we didn't have to face David Price, and were up 2 entering the 9th in the final game of the series. Tough to have a blown save, but it is only Chris Perez's 2nd of the season, and I will take that every single season if I could. Either way, the Indians managed to float thru a tough stretch vs. the AL East when they weren't healthy or hitting and are still in contention as we enter the All Star Break.
Here are the player standouts for the first half as I see it.
Offensive MVP: Shin Soo Choo (.299avg, .384OBP, 10HR, 34RBI, 26 2Bs, and 9 SB) - This was a tough call for me, but as I see it Choo has claimed the lead-off spot for the Indians for the rest of the year, and that may be more important than Kipnis's start. When the Indians last went to the playoffs, Mr. Sizemore and the Indians had a direct correlation to winning with Sizemore in the lead-off spot, and mediocrity when he was down in the order. Well I don't know how the W-L record differs with Choo, but I know he was struggling at the plate until he became the lead-off guy and now he is hitting like a player we won't be able to re-sign(Scott Boras is drooling watching Tribe games now). Choo prior to last season was a 30/30 potential player, and this season it looks like 20/20 is easily realistic if he stays healthy. The Indians put a large emphasis on getting on base, and Choo is doing just that in the lead-off spot. Prior to Choo, Manny Acta had tried Michael Brantley, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jason Kipnis, Jason Donald, and Johnny Damon in the lead-off spot. Having defined roles is a key feature of every championship team, so getting the lead-off spot locked in for the rest of the year in my opinion is more valuable than the outstanding first half of Jason Kipnis.
Runner Ups: Jason Kipnis (.277avg, .345OBP, 11HR, 49RBI, and 20SB) -GREAT 1st half! We are all Kipnisses!
Michael Brantley (.288avg, .334OBP, 3HR, 42RBI, 24 2Bs, and 10 SB) - Add him to the core going forward.
Defensive MVP: Grimmace - He was brought in for really only two reasons. His glove, and that he doesn't strikeout. Well he managed to rebound after one of the worst starts I think in MLB history, and is now hitting a respectable(haha) .241avg with 8HRs, but no matter his ups or downs at the plate, Grimmace has been as good as advertised defensively. This can't be said enough, with all the sinker ball specialists on the Indians, good infielders have more value than most teams would put on them.
Honorable Mention: Carlos Santana - Much improved throwing runners stealing, and his footwork has improved to the point that he looks like a totally different guy behind the plate. Pitch calling greatly improved and less predictable too.
Aaron Cunningham - He plays every game only because Shelley Duncan and Johnny Damon are that bad defensively. A few assists and no errors means Cunningham deserves to be mentioned here.
Pitching MVP: Chris Perez (3.34ERA, 0-2 24SV, 35 SO, 32.1 IP) - I have seen the Bob Wickman, Mike Jackson, Joe Borowski, and Kerry Wood eras in Cleveland, and nobody can convince me that a closer isn't a very valuable position for every contending team. Perez is 24 for 26 in save opportunities, and the majority of his runs come from the infamous non-save appearances that he makes. Perez has also done A LOT of smack talking this season, to opponents(Alex Rios, Kansas City), and even to Tribe fans. I think what doesn't get noticed is that, a player is allowed to have opinions because we live in a free country, but Perez has backed it up thus far. Nobody likes when Jets 3rd String QB opens his yapper, but Perez opens it and then closes the door each game. His confidence is indicative of the young core's attitude on this team, but he has just been vocal, and I think that gets the team to rally, which helps in the dog days of summer.
Honorable Mention: Vinnie Pestano (1.75 ERA, 23 holds, 43 SOs, 36IP) - Bullpen Mafia, you need holds to get saves.
Ubaldo Jimenez (4.50ERA, 8-6, 102IP, 77 SOs) - Just eeked out Derek Lowe for me, but Jimenez was more dominant in June, than Lowe was dominant in April. Funny how much better he does without walking a batter per inning.
Biggest Acquisition: Esmil Rogers - 11 Appearances, 0.60 ERA, 13.1 IP, 18 SOs, 1 BB) - Had an 8+ ERA in Colorado before the Indians sent cash considerations to acquire him in June. Middle Relief is the only definite spot the Indians are going to be seeking trade help as we approach the deadline. So far they are 1 for 1 in upgrading it.
Honorable Mention: Jose Lopez/Johnny Damon - Both guys are getting spot starts(Damon a little more), and both provide a good veteran presence in the clubhouse which can't be overstated. I like both guys off the bench on a playoff team, and Damon has picked it up as of late without getting any spring training.
Keys to the 2nd Half:
1) Staying Healthy - April-May the Indians were tearing it up, then the injury bug hit. They stayed above water to get back to the same opening day lineup, now let's get back on track.
2) Cleanup Hitter - Pronk? Santana? Brantley? Trade? It shouldn't be Brantley, but he hits the best right now. I am curious who Carlos Santana is. His numbers looks very similar to last season, so is he a .221avg hitter with some pop? If so, its time to permanently move him down in the order and try out somebody new at cleanup.
3) Zach McAlister - I have big faith in the tall righty, and in 7 starts he is 3-1, and a 3.40 ERA. The Indians need a hit on a call-up, and McAllister could be it. If he can give the Indians what Tomlin did during last season, I think that would be perfect. Masterson/Tomlin are scuttling thru the first half, so if McAllister can be a consistent performer along with Ubaldo and Lowe, our starters should be just fine, and keep the bullpen rested.
4) Roberto Hernandez and Grady Sizemore - The players keep saying they don't need a trade to make the playoffs or contend for a title. I agree with that to a certain extent. While the Tribe has the talent to win a lot, I think every team is always looking for more. Luckily or unluckily for Cleveland, they already have two top talents they can acquire for a stretch run. Two former All-Stars are sitting on the Indians roster and they are contending without either playing a single inning this season, that's something that should make every fan cautiously optimistic about where this season can go. However nobody in the organization knows when Sizemore or Hernandez will be back, but all indications are they both will be in a Cleveland uniform before the end of the season. 5) Risk Takers? - Last season the Indians broke from tradition and went for it. They sent their top two pitching prospects to Colorado for Ubaldo Jimenez. They had a deal in place for Carlos Beltran(but he didn't waive his no-trade clause), and they went after Ryan Ludwick. Well, the problem areas are similar to last season, but what does management want to do this time around? Would you trade Fransisco Lindor, Jesus Aguilar, and Jeanmar Gomez for Justin Upton? Or do you stay pat, maybe trade Jose Lopez for a middle reliever?
Top Trade Targets(My Opinion based on rumors and known needs)
1. Carlos Quentin (.268avg, .406OBP. 7 Hrs, 17RBIs, and 112At-bats) - The Indians may need to have SD pay for part of his contract to make this deal happen, but I like him for THIS season best. He has seen AL pitching, and won't cost Lindor to acquire.
2. Justin Upton (.273 avg, .353OBP, 7HR, 37RBI, and 10SB) - For some reason Arizona is shopping this former #1 pick. He will cost a lot more to get than Quentin, but fills the clean-up spot immediately, and is insurance for the future if Choo doesn't re-sign, and Sizemore can't return. Honestly, I want him a lot, but I am terrified of the cost, especially if he doesn't sign long-term with the Indians. Obviously, a pennant means I will pay a few souls if he is the difference.
3. Josh Willingham (.261 avg, .376 OBP, 19HR, 60RBI) - I don't see the Twins helping out a division rival. Should be one of the top targets for all contending teams too, so his trade price may be inflated.
Indians were close to signing him as a free agent, so get used to hearing his name a lot.
4. Alfonso Soriano (.265avg, 15HR, 48RBI, .323 OBP) - Cubs will need to eat a lot of his salary, but upgrades DH, and could play LF without being too much of a downgrade from Damon/Duncan. Sadly though he is a downgrade defensively.
I am of the minority on this, but I don't want to add anybody to the pitching staff or relief spots. Honestly who are the 'hot' names, Dempster(our Derek Lowe has playoff wins), Grienke(can't afford him), etc. The ONLY starting pitcher I would want to see the Indians go get is Wandy Rodriguez, but again the Astros would need to eat his contract, he is only a 1 yr plug, and will cost multiple prospects to get. The
staff is young, and has the talent to get the job done against any lineup not named New York. Masterson is slowly putting it together, and Ubaldo is just showing off now which is a sight to see.
2nd Half Prediction: Tribe ends in 3rd place in the Central - I KNOW we can make the playoffs with the roster we have. However, I expect the White Sox to make one more move(Youkilis is big for them, Tribe tried to get him too but failed), and the Tigers will not stand idly by either. The Tigers have Prince, Miguel, and Verlander. The White Sox have Peavy, Konerko, Dunn, and Youkilis all hitting. I like the Indians chances if Sizemore/Hernandez return without much rust, but what I see happening a bit beyond what is discussed, is perhaps the Tribe moving one of those two guys to acquire immediate help. Think about it, where does Grady fit if you add Josh Willingham? You going to sit Michael Brantley or Choo? Is Grady going to DH and you bench Pronk? How about Hernandez, do you send down McAllister? Send down Tomlin? We will see what happens, but as things stand right now, Tribe is 3rd in the division. They get a lot of Tigers games in the 2nd half, but only one series with the White Sox, so we can't fall behind, and we have to keep pace. We can do it, but if I was betting, 3rd place.
That was long, but that's my first half breakdown, GO TRIBE
- Daniel Hahn
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