If everyone plays to potential, the Tribe front office might need to cook up a new plan on getting everyone playing time - or someone might need to be moved.
The NFL season is over, so aside from the dog days of the winter basketball and hockey seasons, it's time to start getting excited for Spring Training. And you better believe I can't wait to start watching my beloved Indians.
I was just watching The Tribe Report on Sports Time Ohio, and they had Assistant GM Chris Antonetti on the program. It seems (and no one with the Indians would ever confirm this) that there is a situation where inevitably, one of either Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, Ryan Garko, or Kelly Shoppach is an odd man out on this roster. Maybe not now or even mid-season, but all four of these guys will not be in the Tribe's future. If all four of these men perform the way front office is hoping (and expecting) then there is no way there will be a platoon at first base or catcher.
The plan is for both Shoppach and Martinez to split time at catcher with Martinez getting at-bats at first. I get that, but what happens when Garko gets out of his rut of inconsistent play and maintains the productivity that has been flashed through the last year and a half? Apparently, they are toying with the notion of outfield for the big man. I don't see that happening, as he is still trying to master first base, and he's not the swiftest of foot. So he'll be the designated hitter then. Oops, we have a man by the name of Travis Hafner coming back who was once a consistent RBI guy.
The pressure appears to be soley on Hafner. The lineup is significantly different with him on his game and in the heart of that order. None of the reports we've heard sound overly promising though on his progress. And he absolutely can not play defense anymore. So if he returns to form and puts up big numbers, whoever has the numbers that aren't where they need to be, is getting some increased time on the pine. Or unfortunately might become trade bait. If he doesn't, we have a guy on the bench that can't play defense, is nothing more than a pinch hitter and is practically unmovable due to his contract.
The 2009 season rests a lot on Hafner's shoulders. For our sake (and his) I hope he is able to prove to everyone he is still a force in the Tribe lineup.