Fox Ranks Tribe #1

[johnbattle]

I'd like to see the Indians do to Adam Miller what the Cardinals did to Adam Wainwright last year. The Cards had an awfully incosistent bullpen, led by closer Jason Isringhousen (sp?). Wainwright was their up-and-coming starter, and the Cards switched him to closer late in the year. It paid off as Wainwright led the Cards through the playoffs without blowing a save.

I know Miller is the hope of our staff in the future, but why not convert him to closer for the time being to help the Indians this year. Our window to contend isn't going to be open forever (Hafner, C.C., and Westbrook's contracts are all up in the next couple years). The Cards moved Wainwright back to starter now without a hitch, so why can't we do the same with Miller? His fastball and slider would be killer for a closer.

 

[blackmagicGTI]

The Tribe have great pitching prospects in the farm system, why not try to convert some of them into relievers? It just can't be this hard to find good closers.

You know I was thinking the same thing. I would think that there would have to be some option but a readily apparent one is not in sight. We saw what happened with Carmona last year.

The disparity between the quality of the bullpen and the rest of the team is pretty staggering. None of the quality starts or clutch hitting is going to mean anything if closing every game is a roll of the dice.

 

[chiefwahoo]

You know I was thinking the same thing. I would think that there would have to be some option but a readily apparent one is not in sight. We saw what happened with Carmona last year.

The disparity between the quality of the bullpen and the rest of the team is pretty staggering. None of the quality starts or clutch hitting is going to mean anything if closing every game is a roll of the dice.

I'd be a little more patient with the pen... we've only seen five guys so far anyway, right? Borowski, Hernandez, Fultz, Betancourt, and Mastny. I still have high hopes for Davis and Cabrera if they can put it together. Both have a lot of talent to work with. And a lot of pressure was put on Carmona last year. He performed terribly but he may have learned a little something along the way. And if Matt Miller ever could stay healthy he would be a big help. There are a lot of options... just be patient.