Buster Olney's Top MLB Story Lines in '07

[chiefwahoo]

I enjoy reading Buster Olney's (espn.com) baseball stuff. Here is what he had as #9 in his top MLB story lines for the upcoming season:

9. The Cleveland Indians' closer situation
This is a team on the verge of greatness in so many ways. The Indians have a superlative offense that is getting better, built on the talent of Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez; a rotation that will at least be solid and perhaps much better than that, if Cliff Lee can have more success against good teams; a defense that has been upgraded with the addition of second baseman Josh Barfield; and a decent group of set-up men.

But all of that could be flushed if the Indians can't identify a decent closer, a problem that has seriously hurt Cleveland two of the last three seasons. They've stockpiled a lot of candidates, from Keith Foulke to Joe Borowski. Somebody must emerge.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster#20070108

 

[Cleveland56]

Couldn't agree more. Hopefully they can put it together this year.

 

[TrueCavsFan23]

If Foulke is healthy I think him and Borowski should be a good one two punch.

 

[chiefwahoo]

Don't forget Roberto Hernandez. And we still have Carmona, Cabrera, Davis, and Betancourt to use in the late innings. We have a lot of guys, we just need to get them some defined roles.

 

[crazedcav333]

Yeah we have plenty of relief pitchers young and old, but none seem to fit in anywhere.

What I would give for a dominant closer...

 

[saves]

Don't forget Roberto Hernandez. And we still have Carmona, Cabrera, Davis, and Betancourt to use in the late innings. We have a lot of guys, we just need to get them some defined roles.

I think Carmona is going to be groomed as a starter.

 

[macbdog]

Carmona is going to be starting @ Buffalo. He was used in relief last year out of necessity- he could return, but others would have to bomb first.

It's funny to me, b/c the one guy I see doing well out of the signings is the one most maligned: Roberto Hernandez. The guy is terrific at getting out of trouble; he is kind of the anti-Jason Davis and alot like Wicky in that regard. He does his best work with runners on base, isn't phased by it. The Mets used him to put out fires started by other relievers (and wasn't this the biggest issue in the pen last year? Youngster gets into trouble, next guy in throws gasoline on it?).

Buster has it right- the closer gig has to iron itself out. The %s would say that Foulke or Borowski can get the job done; but we won't know until the season. I still am holding out hope that F-Bomb (Fernando Cabrera) has a great spring and takes the gig at some point in the season.

 

[SportMcAllister]

Hernandez was one of the guys I wanted to see the Indians get as soon as I learned he was a FA. He has experience at both closing and setting up, and reports have him being a good clubhouse presence.

I do think the Indians went a slight bit overboard at adding help to the pen, and I have to admit to being concerned that once a closer is set on that Wedge and Willis know when to stay with them and ride out potential rough spots.