Indians DH Travis Hafner May Be Cut After Season

Former big-time slugger Travis Hafner -- who hit 141 homers from 2003-07 but only 34 since -- likely will force the Indians to consider releasing him after the season if he cannot demonstrate recovery from chronic right shoulder problems that have cost him much of his productivity over the past three years.

The prediction comes from Cleveland Plain Dealer baseball writer Paul Hoynes, who foresees a more likely outcome that the left-handed designated hitter will remain under contract after playing in about 115 games in 2011, hitting 15-20 bombs and driving in 50-60 runs.

Continuing his upnote in Sunday's editions, Hoynes noted that Hafner now seems to resemble the hitter who batted .329 with 15 doubles, five homers and 21 RBI in 44 games after the All-Star break last year, demonstrating continued potential usefulness to the rebuilding team.

The Indians have signed former Angels first baseman Casey Kotchman, who can back up Hafner at designated hitter and first baseman Matt LaPorta, both of whom have missed significant playing time in recent seasons. Though Kotchman has never hit for power, he is thought to have a good eye at the plate and can be effective around the bag.

Indians Travis Hafner: Get Thee to a Nunnally

After weeks of practicing with Indians batting coach Jon Nunnally, designated hitter Travis Hafner finally outfoxed the right field defensive shift routinely used against him as he knocked two sharply lined hits to left field, one a double and one for an RBI, in Friday's 9-3 loss to Seattle.


Hafner, 33, rumored to be in danger of losing his spot in the middle of the Indians batting order as his batting average plunged below .200, has been trying to hit to left since the opening of the season.


A natural left-hander, Hafner had some success, but not enough to discourage opponents from continuing to put on the so-called classic "Williams Shift," originally introduced in the 1940s against former Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams. Generally, the shift leaves third base empty, with the third baseman moving to shortstop, the left fielder shading toward center and the shortstop moving to shallow right field behind second base for a total of six fielders on the right side of the playing field.


Up until now, Hafner had hit a handful of pitches to left, but most or all could be characterized as weak grounders or shallow flies easily caught by the lone shortstop or left fielder. If Hafner can continue to go the other way, opponents may have to remove the shift, which should be a dramatic boost for Hafner's batting average.

Lincoln Option Awaits Indians Shin-Soo Choo?

Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo -- a South Korean citizen obligated to submit to two years service in his nation's army -- may be able to take advantage of an Abraham Lincoln option to escape the draft, if all else fails.

President Lincoln -- who in the spring of 1861 attended a baseball game between the Brooklyn Eagles and the old Washington Nationals in the nation's capital -- opted to pay a "commutation fee" enabling Lincoln's son Robert to avoid conscription through the use of a mercenary.

Thus Robert, 21, attending Harvard Law School at the time, remained out of the war until its waning days, when he was given the rank of captain and assigned to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's staff as a glorified greeter. The commutation fee was so disdained by Lincoln's public that eventually it was outlawed in favor of compulsory military service for all otherwise eligible, able-bodied men.

In 1950, however, Allied Supreme Commander Douglas MacArthur reinstated the practice for the sons of wealthy, influential Korean families, authorizing stand-ins to take their place as a KATUSAs (Korean Augmentee to United States Army).

Today the practice continues, but in South Korea is no less disdained than in Lincoln's time. It remains a possible but loathsome alternative to keep Shin-Soo playing in the major leagues, though a more palatable choice would be the granting of an exemption in exchange for his playing for the national baseball team in November's Asian games.

In any event, it's an absolutely safe bet Shin-Soo Choo won't be missing any Major League playing time in an army uniform.

Matt LaPorta Tentative for Indians

Indians rookie Matt LaPorta, coming off surgeries to his toe and hip, says he feels 100-percent healthy, but cannot be sure until he plays in unrestrained, everyday game action.

LaPorta, 25, a 7th overall pick in the 2007 draft, has been limited to playing every other day at the midpoint of Cactus League action; but he has five hits in his first 12 at-bats and has been projected by the team to be fully ready to play when the new season opens.

LaPorta told Sirius/XM Radio's Grant Paulsen that he has been taking reps not only in left field, his newly designated prime position, but also at his former position, first base.

As to which of the two will be his prime position by the end of the year, LaPorta was uncertain.

"To be honest with you, I don't know how to answer that right now," LaPorta told Paulsen.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound North Dakota native indicated his time at first base has been beneficial for his recovery because the infield is less demanding than the outfield. However, the primary reason he is spending so much time at first base is because Russell Branyan has an ailing back. He didn't mention it, but veteran Travis Hafner has had shoulder trouble in recent years, and will likely take time off as designated hitter, another position at which LaPorta can fill in.

He said he had no objection to be moved around.

"It keeps things new ... and it's a great opportunity for me and the ball club."

Indians Rookies Losing Time to Russell Branyan

Just as quickly as 25-year-old rookie Matt LaPorta was penciled in as the starting first baseman for the 2010 Indians, he has been penciled out with the unexpected signing of free agent veteran Russell Branyan, 34.

Likewise, rising young outfielders Michael Brantley and Trevor Crowe stand to be benched or demoted to the minors as newly named manager Manny Acta likely can be expected to dole out the majority of playing time to such other veterans as Travis Hafner, Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore.

In anticipation of a game of musical chairs, LaPorta already has begun taking defensive drills in left field, the only position remaining for him, even though that is the position which had been expected to be claimed by Brantley, son of former major leaguer Mickey Brantley.

"At the end of the day, if everybody's healthy, it obviously is going to impact one of those young guys," Acta told reporters gathered at the team's Cactus League spring training camp at Goodyear, Ariz. "But I guarantee you, both of those guys are going to play every single day somewhere."

With Hafner and Sizemore both hampered last season by various injuries and ailments, the team was left without a great deal of depth should one or both be unable to play up to form, Acta said.
He hinted that some or all -- including Branyan -- will need downtime to stay healthy, thus creating opportunities for the bench.

Without Branyan, who hit 31 homers in 431 at-bats in an injury shortened effort for the Mariners last season, "we were an injury away from not feeling as comfortable," Acta said.

Homer Happy Hafner

Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner was warmly greeted in the dugout by manager Eric Wedge and teammates as he hit his first home run in Cactus League action, a blow that was instantly interpreted as a sign of his recovery from a more-than-yearlong slump.

Hafner, 31, whose 2008 season was virtually lost due to shoulder soreness, has said he feels 100-percent healthy, but was batting only .225 during the spring, which he attributed to lost timing.

Hafner hit the home run after a batting cage session in which he hit seven consecutive balls into the seats. He had shoulder surgery during the offseason.

Indians Groom Josh Barfield for Utility Role

Expect the Indians to give former top prospect Josh Barfield plenty of reps in the outfield and at shortstop.

Barfield, 26, the son of former major league slugger Jesse Barfield, was projected to be the Indians' starting second baseman when he came over from San Diego. But he has been unable to shake off mysteriously tenacious slumps and petty injuries.

A utility role would keep him from yet another demotion to Buffalo, though he remains in the hunt for a starting middle infield position with the prospective move of Jhonny Peralta from shortstop to third base.

Frank Viola Fiddling with Jeremy Sowers' Motion

Retired Twins ace Frank "Sweet Music" Viola arrived in Cleveland Indians camp with the express purpose of revitalizing the career of the once-promising Jeremy Sowers.

Sowers, like Viola a left-hander, formerly was a top prospect but has spent the last few seasons bouncing back and forth between Cleveland and Buffalo. Most recently, he turned in a dismal 4-9 record with a 5.58 ERA and nearly 1.5 WHIP in 22 games with the Tribe.

Sowers remains in the mix for the No. 4 or No. 5 rotations spot, but will be kept on a very short leash. The Indians are very serious about a playoff berth this season, and if Sowers is to help the team, Viola must help him find the plate.

Kerry Wood Deal Shifts Focus to Indians Backups

Given free agent Kerry Wood's history of chronic injuries -- his $20.5 million two-year agreement to become the Indians closer tends to magnify the importance of backups Jensen Lewis, Adam Miller and others.

To some, former Angels free agent Francisco Rodriguez might have seemed a better value when he signed with the Mets at $37 million for three years, but the Indians were content to take Wood, perhaps because their bullpen has plenty of insurance.

Lewis was 13-0 in save situations near the end of last year, and Miller is throwing nearly in triple figures in winter ball, Cleveland Plain Dealer baseball writer Paul Hoynes recently reported.

Former closer candidate Rafael Betancourt is on board, as is left-handed strikeout specialist Rafael Perez, former Mets setup man Joe Smith and highly regarded, potential swingman Masa Kobayashi.

Free Agent Francisco Rodriguez Lowers His Price

Though speculation earlier had projected free agent pitcher Francisco Rodriguez to seek an $80 million, five-year contract with the Mets, indications are that the world financial crisis may have lowered his expectations.

The former Los Angeles Angels closer has curtailed negotiations with the Mets and other teams until Major League baseball winter meetings commence Dec. 15, according to a recent report by KFI Radio 1070 in Los Angeles. Though K-Rod still desires a five-year deal, the radio report indicated his bottom line now appears closer to $50 million -- a $30 million discount compared with earlier expectations.

Though Rodriguez saved 62 games with 77 strikeouts in 68.3 innings last year for the Angels, the team is expected to replace him with rising hurler Jose Arredondo, who permitted only 65 baserunners in 61 innings.

In addition to the Mets, the Indians and Tigers are expected to compete for Rodriguez's services once the meetings begin.

Victor Martinez Questionable on Return to Indians

As anticipated, injured Indians catcher Victor Martinez returned to Cleveland from Buffalo in time for the weekend series with the Mariners, having gone 6-20 for a batting average of .300 during his brief minor league rehabilitation. But his durability remains a question.

The 30-year-old cleanup hitter must be considered less than whole if for no other reason than his rustiness following a near two-month layoff for elbow surgery. He also will need an unspecified amount of rest, depending on how he feels.

Martinez now has been slated to share at-bats with backup catcher Kelly Shoppach, as Shoppach's play offensively and defensively has earned him a significant if not a majority of playing time behind the plate. Shoppach largely has been hitting between .260 and .270 with 17 homers.

Martinez -- who played first base and singled and walked before being lifted for a pinch runner in his first game back -- will see time as designated hitter, catcher and first baseman.

Martinez went down on June 11, undergoing surgery two days later to remove bone chips from his right elbow. It later developed that Martinez had been fighting mounting soreness in the elbow for some two years until it became unbearable.

With Martinez displaying little or no power when the season opened, the Indians blamed his struggles on a pulled hamstring. While possibly true, the claim certainly was an effective and convenient cover for the fact that Martinez was having trouble not only at the plate but with his throwing arm, a disclosure that would have led to an open season on stealing.

The hamstring story was suspicious because catchers' hamstrings are stretched more than any other professional athlete and rarely rupture or fray.

Though Martinez hit .300 with 25 homers in 2007, he had been a shadow of his former self as he struggled with elbow pain, having failed to hit a single homer in nearly 100 at-bats before going on the disabled list.

Brian Cashman Lets Paul Byrd Pass to Red Sox

Say what you will about the speculative firing of Mets General Manager Omar Minaya, the next baseball executive to walk the plank in New York may be Brian Cashman of the Mets crosstown rivals.


That gleam reflecting off the forward deck of that sinking Yankee clipper ship on the East River Waterfront is coming from the hardened steel sabre of Yankees Co-Chairman Hank Steinbrenner, who watched as Cashman failed to claim Indians hurler Paul Byrd off the waiver wire, thus allowing Byrd to fall to Boston.


How convenient for the Red Sox, whose precarious five-game wild-card lead over the Yankees had just been been seriously jeopardized by the loss of starter Tim Wakefield to his all-too-familiar shoulder problems.


What can Cashman be thinking?


All the Red Sox had to pay was a bag of balls, six cans of chowder and a David Clyde rookie card for Byrd, a playoff experienced, veteran starter with a 1.46 ERA and 4-0 record since the All-Star break. Though 37, Byrd already all season had been a perfectly serviceable option, but suddenly is even more valuable since discovering he can stop surrendering homers by not tipping his pitches.

This is Cashman's second dubious decision, since he, Gene Michael and Stump Merrill were believed to have ganged up on Steinbrenner to talk him out of signing free agent home run king Barry Bonds.

Cashman opted instead to trade for Xavier Nady of the Pirates. There's nothing particularly , wrong with Nady -- and Bonds comes with his share of baggage -- but Cashman had to give up prospect Jeff Karstens to acquire Nady, and all Karstens has done since leaving the Yankees is pitch 15 scoreless innings, including a two-hit complete game.


Bonds would have cost Cashman nothing more than a major league, season pro-rated minimum of $150,000, yet would have been an unmistakable force in the middle of the lineup, providing a desperately needed spark in the Yankees flat, demoralized lineup.

Hopefully Cashman has an explanation that will become evident in the next few days. It had better be good.

Red Sox Land Indians' Byrd

The Red Sox have acquired pitcher Paul Byrd from the Indian.  After placing Tim Wakefield on the 15-day DL, AL wild-card leading Boston felt an increased urgency to add depth to its pitching staff.  It's basically a no-risk move by Boston as all they gave up was cash or a player to be named later.  Byrd got off to a horrendous start this season, but has won all four of his starts since the All-Star break.

Jim 'Mudcat' Grant Likens Barry Bonds to Obama

Former two-time All Star and author Jim "Mudcat" Grant likens home run king Barry Bonds to a high profile politician, explaining that it is as though the former Giants slugger has become a target of mudslinging while standing for public office.

"He's like Barack Obama or John McCain or President Bush or anybody else," Grant, 73, said during his ongoing appearance in Cooperstown, N.Y. for weekend National Baseball Hall of Fame induction activities. "When you run for election you open yourself to all kinds of criticism, abuse and slander -- dirt really."

In an exclusive interview with MLBnewsonline, Grant asserted that Bonds is entitled to a constitutionally guaranteed presumption of innocence of charges that he lied before a federal grand jury. The public should not jump to conclusions, Grant said.

"Barry Bonds says what he says and he's willing to go to court to prove it, and I don't think we have a right to say what is going to be the outcome," Grant said. "When I played people had opinions and opinions were opinions, but nowadays everybody has an opinion and they think they are right. They don't look at it as an opinion anymore. They look at it as if they know what they are talking about."

Grant, who resides in Los Angeles, played for seven major league teams from 1958 to 1971, including a seven-year stint with the Indians. He is the author of "The Black Aces," a book about African American major league pitchers, and was a personal friend of Barry Bonds' father Bobby Bonds, who died in 2003.

"We all (should) think Barry Bonds is innocent; everybody's innocent until you're proven guilty," Grant said. "Barry has a right to defend himself."

Bonds -- currently under consideration to be signed by the Yankees -- is scheduled to go to trial in March on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, but has steadfastly denied knowingly taking steroids. Though he has 756 home runs to his credit, Bonds so far this season has found no takers for his services.

Report: Brewers Land Sabathia

The Brewers and Indians have agreed to a deal that will send C.C. Sabathia, the reigning AL Cy Young winner to Milwaukee.  Cleveland will receive a package of minor leaguers centered around top prospect Matt LaPorta.

Don't Laugh; Aaron Laffey Among Top Rookies

While potential future superstars like the Dodgers Clayton Kershaw or the Reds Edison Volquez make a big splash, 23-year-old Indians lefty Aaron Laffey is quietly riding a heavy, 87-mph fastball and some well-thrown junk into the statistical stratosphere.

It's hard to imagine that the high-flying youngster can avoid what would seem to be an inevitable crash, but so far Laffey must be congratulated.

Among American League rookies, Laffey's 2.83 ERA is third best, as he and battery mate Kelly Shoppach's well-chosen sinkers, curveballs and changeups have induced opponents to ground into a number of seemingly easy outs. It doesn't hurt that the Indians defense has committed the fewest errors in the league to rank second with a .987 fielding percentage, while turning 91 double plays, third best.

Ironically, Laffey failed to impress during a brief introduction last year, with his relatively presentable 4.56 buying him nothing better than a ticket to Triple A Buffalo. But with injuries to Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook, Laffey has been able to make the most of his unexpected quick return to the majors.

While Laffey has been hit hard on the road, he has been untouchable at home, where his ERA stands at 1.39, helping him win an accolade as American League Rookie of the Month for May, as he turned in a 3-2 record with a microscopic 0.79 ERA. Over 34 innings, opponents batted .220 against him for the period.

Laffey's June mark stands at 2.87. He was 7-3 with a 3.28 ERA at Buffalo.

Jody Gerut Underscores Indians Coaching Failure

Former American League Rookie of the Year Jody Gerut -- now with the Padres -- returned to Cleveland for his first game there since being cast aside by the Indians in 2004, going 3-5 with a homer and two RBI to raise his average to .289 and help defeat his former team 8-3.

The re-emergence of the 28-year-old Gerut -- named top rookie by the Sporting News after hitting .279 with 22 homers and 75 RBI in 127 games with the Indians in 2003 -- continues to draw attention to seeming inadequacies in the Indians coaching and scouting staff, which willingly let Gerut get away three years ago.

Gerut's separation from the Tribe is slightly complicated, having been excellerated by his torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2004, and his struggles to recover while playing for Triple A Buffalo.

And yet the fact remains that while Gerut was on the comeback trail he was traded for Cubs outfielder Jason Dubois, the Indians having failed to recognize not only Gerut's remaining potential but his strength of character, tenacity and determination to revive his career.

Ironically, after acquiring Dubois for Gerut the Indians also failed to develop Dubois, who like Gerut had been regarded as a potential star.

If it had been only Gerut whom the Tribe let get away, or just Dubois, that would be one thing. But rightly or wrongly a peculiar pattern can be discerned when one considers that no sooner than the team had acquired top prospect Andy Marte last year -- for instance -- coaches began tinkering with his swing to the point that he hasn't been the same either, though he remains with the team.

Add the cases of Gerut, Dubois and Marte to the Indians handling of second baseman Brandon Phillips, now a star in Cincinnati, and second baseman Josh Barfield, who has spent most of this season in Buffalo, and one cannot help but wonder.

Not only has Barfield failed to succeed under Indians tutelge, but the player traded to acquire him -- third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff -- has done quite well for himself in San Diego, the Indians having nothing to show from that deal either.

Victor Martinez Wastes No Time Starting Rehab

Injured catcher Victor Martinez wasted no time in beginning a post-surgical limbering and motion workout at the Indians training and weight room, then suited up and joined newly acquired backup catcher Yamid Haad in the bullpen as they watched the Tribe fall to the visiting Padres 8-3 at Progressive Field.

Martinez underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove chips from his throwing elbow only 24 hours earlier at the Cleveland Clinic, where Dr. Mark Schickendantz pronounced the procedure successful.

Martinez is expected to be out for up to two months, then undergo an evaluation as to whether he can resume play behind the plate on a limited basis, finish the year mostly at first base, at designated hitter or merely come off the bench.

The possibility -- however remote -- that he would sit out for the remainder of the year has not been ruled out. The performance of catcher Kelly Shoppach -- widely recognized as an outstanding all-around replacement potentially coming into his prime at 28 -- likely will figure prominently in evaluating the best course for the team when Martinez finishes his rehabilitation program.

Fans had been suspicious for weeks after Martinez -- who normally can be counted on for 20-30 homers a year -- had failed to hit a single ball over the fence in more than 200 plate appearances since spring.

Martinez also prompted MLB rumors by sitting out immediately at the end of spring with what he described as a "sore hamstring," even though hamstring injuries are very rare for catchers because catchers stretch in a squatting position for extended periods.

Few have speculated whether the hamstring issue was a cover story to hide the fact that Martinez was having trouble with his throwing arm, a possibility that would tip off opposing base runners that they could steal with impunity. Martinez already had been cited among the weakest throwing catchers even before his elbow trouble was confirmed by a magnetic resonance image.

Though apparently uncomfortable when the season began, Martinez managed to hit enough singles to maintain a .350 average over the next 30 days, yet refused to complain for another two weeks. Finally mounting pain while swinging the bat became more conspicuous as he hit .221 in May and .200 in since June 1, prompting the MRI exam.

Cubs Likely Indians Partner in C.C. Sabathia Trade

It's just so much window dressing now, those lofty Indians pretensions that the team is still competing for a playoff berth this year. Bet on it: the front office inner sanctum is all but ready to trade ace C.C. Sabathia -- in all likelihood to the Cubs -- and get on with a mini-rebuilding plan.

The loss of starting pitchers Jake Westbrook and Fausto Carmona to the disabled list -- not to mention the lackluster performances of Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner and others -- have only accelerated the need to deal the Sabathia before the trade deadline in order to receive value for him in his walk year.

While a minority opinion will likely be expressed to re-sign Sabathia, his near $100 million price tag puts him beyond reach.

The Cubs remain the most likely trading partner because that's the team with the most trade bait, most notably young starters Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher and Rich Hill, who are widely believed to have been on the block when the Cubs failed in an attempt to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts from the Orioles

A Chance to Shine for Indians Kelly Shoppach

With struggling Indians catcher Victor Martinez having already missed time with a hamstring problem -- and now a sore elbow -- backup catcher Kelly Shoppach at last may be given a long-overdue chance to shine.

One of the best-kept secrets in the majors, Shoppach likely could start for a number of teams, but has been stranded behind Martinez.

Not only can Shoppack hit if given regular at-bats, he calls an intelligent game, is highly athletic behind the plate and has a canon for an arm. Shoppach is a far more effective all-around catcher than Martinez ever thought of being.

Now coming into his own at age 26, Shoppach was a standout prospect in the Red Sox system when acquired from Boston, having hit 49 homers at Triple A Pawtucket. He was much more than a throw-in in the Coco Crisp deal.

Shoppach won the Johnny Bench Award as the nation's top collegiate catcher when he batted .397 with 12 homers in 300 at-bats for the Baylor Bears in 2001.