Monday, September 04, 2006
Indians Ryan Garko Considered for 1B Platoon
It's hard to imagine the Indians seriously thinking of such a plan let alone sticking with it, but manager Eric Wedge is considering platooning rookie first baseman Ryan Garko with Victor Martinez at first base, while Martinez alternately platoons with Kelly Shoppach behind the plate. Both Garko and Martinez are handling their bats well, with occasional power plus averages exceeding .300. But Garko, a righty, is thought to be potentially tougher on lefty pitching while the switch-hitting Martinez hits righties best, or so goes the theory. Someone should point out to Wedge that, so far this season anyway, Garko has been hitting 100 points higher against righties.