Last time I checked, a major league outfield consisted of three players. But apparently, Cleveland Indians general manager Mark Shapiro must have an inside scoop on the addition of a rover, because that appears to be the only logical reasoning behind his recent overhaul of outfield signees.
Don’t get me wrong; I think the recent signing of Trot Nixon is a great addition to the Tribe. It’s hard to put a price tag on veteran leadership and playoff experience, especially with a club as young as this year’s squad. The former Red Sox also brings plenty of pop from the left side of the plate and can expect to start in right field on opening day. Shapiro’s main reasoning in signing Nixon was to add leadership, cut out some strikeouts and establish a No. 2 hitter in the lineup. It’s safe to say his addition should accomplish all three of those.
But what has me really perplexed is the re-signing of Jason Michaels that occurred shortly afterwards.
Michaels hit just .267 last year with 55 RBIs, which in no way warrants the $2-million-plus contract he was awarded with. He spent much of last season platooning in left field and will likely find himself as a backup come spring training. The signing of David Dellucci earlier this offseason will also cut significantly into his playing time, as the former World Series Champion will add consistency to a lineup that changed frequently over the course of the year.
Dellucci, who hit .292 last season with the Phillies in 132 games, was guaranteed the starting spot in left field after signing a three-year, $11.5 million contract. He’ll enter Cleveland’s 2007 campaign with 10 years under his belt and the opportunity to take over leadership duties in the clubhouse.
So with the signings of Dellucci and Nixon, that leaves just one spot left in the outfield. Unfortunately for Michaels and the other four outfielders on the 40-man roster, Grady Sizemore occupies the position. In his first full year in the big leagues, Sizemore hit .289 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs. His emergence as one of the elite center fielders in the American League served as one of the few bright spots for the Tribe last season.
This all brings me back to Shapiro and the eight outfielders currently on the roster. Originally, Shin-Soo Choo was expected to platoon in right field after the Tribe acquired the one-year vet last season in a trade with the Mariners. But with the signing of Nixon, there is little more he can offer besides a tremendous arm. In addition, Choo, Nixon, Dellucci, Sizemore and rookie sensation Brad Snyder, are all left-handed hitters. That might be the only thing saving a spot for Michaels and his hefty contract.
The Indian’s farm system is also loaded with young talent, including Snyder, Trevor Crowe, Ben Francisco and Franklin Gutierrez. A combination of those players were expected to battle for a position on the opening day roster this spring, but it appears they will all have to wait a couple more years. And I haven’t even mentioned right-handed power hitters Casey Blake and Ryan Garko, who are expected to rotate between the infield and outfield.
Yet in all Shapiro’s questionable off-season moves, he did manage to solidify a troubled bullpen with the additions of Keith Foulke and Joe Borowski. Now if the commissioner would only enact the use of a rover, the Tribe could be well on its way to another World Series appearance. That is of course, if you think Michaels is worth $2 million.
Matt Gottfried is a sophomore athletics communication major. He can be reached at [email protected] with suggestions on any possible free agents on which the Tribe can waste money.
