Punchless offense reaffirms Manny Acta's concerns for 2013: Cleveland Indians Insider
Published: Friday, August 17, 2012, 9:59 PM Updated: Friday, August 17, 2012, 10:57 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Manny Acta wasn't nearly as talkative Friday night as he was earlier in the week when asked about the needs of the Indians' offense headed toward 2013.
During the first stop of this nine-game, 10-day West Coast trip in Anaheim, Calif., Acta said it was no secret that the Indians had to find a solution in left field, first base, designated hitter and, perhaps, third base. Acta was asked before Friday's game if all those areas could be addressed during the off-season.
"I'm not going to comment on that," said Acta.
Whether someone above him in the team's chain of command was unhappy with his comments is not known, but he certainly wasn't revealing any trade secrets.
The offense has been a work in slow motion all year. In the American League they're ranked ninth in runs (501), average (.253) and hits (1,012), seventh in doubles (206), 11th in homers (107), seventh in on-base percentage (.325) and 11th in slugging percentage (.394).
Since the All-Star break, the Indians are averaging 3.5 runs per game.
Here's a closer look at the positions Acta talked about:
• Left field: Departed Johnny Damon started 52 games and it's hard to remember any of them.Shelley Duncan has started 50 games.
Ezequiel Carrera has been getting a lot of playing time lately, but Jason Donald made his debut Friday because Acta wanted another right-handed bat in the lineup against A's lefty Tommy Milone. Tribe left fielders rank last in the AL in runs (48), 13th in average (.221), 11th in homers (10) and 13th in RBI (44).
• First base: Casey Kotchman is the main first baseman, starting 94 games. He's hitting .226 (79-for-349) with 11 homers and 42 RBI. Carlos Santana made his 17th start at first Friday, but he's still considered the Tribe's starting catcher.
Jose Lopez and Matt LaPorta have also played first. LaPorta is at Class AAA Columbus and Lopez was released. Tribe first basemen rank 11th in runs (53) and average (.233), 10th in homers (16) and seventh in RBI (58).
• Third base: Jack Hannahan has started 62 games. Brent Lillibridgemade his sixth start Friday, while Donald has made four starts at the hot corner. Injured Lonnie Chisenhall(right ulna) and Lopez also started games at third.
Tribe third basemen rank 14th in runs (39), eighth in average (.256), 13th in homers (nine) and 10th in RBI (55).
• Designated hitter: Injured Travis Hafner has been the primary DH with 56 starts. Santana is next in line, but Acta has used 10 players there. Tribe DHs rank 11th in runs (47), 12th in average (.231), seventh in homers (18) and 11th in RBI (52).
Published: Friday, August 17, 2012, 9:59 PM Updated: Friday, August 17, 2012, 10:57 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Manny Acta wasn't nearly as talkative Friday night as he was earlier in the week when asked about the needs of the Indians' offense headed toward 2013.
During the first stop of this nine-game, 10-day West Coast trip in Anaheim, Calif., Acta said it was no secret that the Indians had to find a solution in left field, first base, designated hitter and, perhaps, third base. Acta was asked before Friday's game if all those areas could be addressed during the off-season.
"I'm not going to comment on that," said Acta.
Whether someone above him in the team's chain of command was unhappy with his comments is not known, but he certainly wasn't revealing any trade secrets.
The offense has been a work in slow motion all year. In the American League they're ranked ninth in runs (501), average (.253) and hits (1,012), seventh in doubles (206), 11th in homers (107), seventh in on-base percentage (.325) and 11th in slugging percentage (.394).
Since the All-Star break, the Indians are averaging 3.5 runs per game.
Here's a closer look at the positions Acta talked about:
• Left field: Departed Johnny Damon started 52 games and it's hard to remember any of them.Shelley Duncan has started 50 games.
Ezequiel Carrera has been getting a lot of playing time lately, but Jason Donald made his debut Friday because Acta wanted another right-handed bat in the lineup against A's lefty Tommy Milone. Tribe left fielders rank last in the AL in runs (48), 13th in average (.221), 11th in homers (10) and 13th in RBI (44).
• First base: Casey Kotchman is the main first baseman, starting 94 games. He's hitting .226 (79-for-349) with 11 homers and 42 RBI. Carlos Santana made his 17th start at first Friday, but he's still considered the Tribe's starting catcher.
Jose Lopez and Matt LaPorta have also played first. LaPorta is at Class AAA Columbus and Lopez was released. Tribe first basemen rank 11th in runs (53) and average (.233), 10th in homers (16) and seventh in RBI (58).
• Third base: Jack Hannahan has started 62 games. Brent Lillibridgemade his sixth start Friday, while Donald has made four starts at the hot corner. Injured Lonnie Chisenhall(right ulna) and Lopez also started games at third.
Tribe third basemen rank 14th in runs (39), eighth in average (.256), 13th in homers (nine) and 10th in RBI (55).
• Designated hitter: Injured Travis Hafner has been the primary DH with 56 starts. Santana is next in line, but Acta has used 10 players there. Tribe DHs rank 11th in runs (47), 12th in average (.231), seventh in homers (18) and 11th in RBI (52).