INDIANS INSIDER
05/27/01
The Indians have lived by established rules over the last several years.
Regarding the bullpen, they've almost always added a fresh arm from the minors if the relievers were overworked and in danger of being squeezed too hard.
They go into the third and final game of this series with the Yankees today in that position, but manager Charlie Manuel says no help is coming.
"We need at least seven innings from Bartolo Colon," said Manuel.
Colon, facing Ted Lilly today, has reached the seventh inning in his last 14 starts. Manuel is counting on him making it 15.
Manuel is missing left-hander Ricardo Rincon, who left the team before Friday's game because his son in Mexico is ill. He's scheduled to return tomorrow afternoon or Tuesday.
In yesterday's 12-5 loss to New York, he was forced to use Rich Rodriguez and Steve Karsay because rookies C.C. Sabathia and Roy Smith were no match for the Yankees. Sabathia couldn't get through the fifth inning for his second straight start, while Smith allowed four runs on four hits in 2?innings in his big-league debut.
Steve Reed, who'd pitched in five of the last six games, wasn't available. Closer Bob Wickman, with three straight appearances, and Paul Shuey, with appearances in two of the three previous games, needed a break.
Charles Nagy, Willie Blair, Danys Baez and Steve Woodard are available in Class AAA Buffalo, but the Indians chose not to promote them for a variety of reasons. Nagy is scheduled to make his last rehab start tomorrow. Blair isn't on the 40-man roster. Baez couldn't be recalled because he hadn't been in the minors for 10 days after getting sent down May 19. Woodard started for Buffalo last night.
"We'll be all right," said Manuel.
GO TO THE WELL(S)?
General Manager John Hart has tried to acquire pitcher David Wells for years. But with the White Sox sinking in the American League Central and Chicago GM Kenny Williams reportedly trying to dump the left-hander, Hart is a reluctant shopper.
"The dollars are prohibitive at this time," he said. "I don't envision them trying to move him within our division. With so many more division games this season, a big pitcher like that could make a difference."
Any team that acquires Wells will inherit about $8 million of his current $9.2 million salary, as well as the $1.25 million buyout on next year's $10 million club option.
Since going into last year's All-Star break at 15-2, Wells is 8-11 in 26 starts. The opposition is hitting .292 against him with 23 homers.
NO PRESSURE
The Indians have a righty-righty platoon in left field.
Marty Cordova is hitting .354 (45-for-127) and has made 21 starts in left. Wil Cordero has made 15 starts in left and is hitting .337 (33-for-98).
Cordova has eight homers and 30 RBI, while Cordero has three homers and 13 RBI.
When asked if he puts any extra pressure on himself to produce so he can stay in left field, Cordero said, "This is about the team, this is about winning. It's not about my statistics. If the manager puts me in there, I want to do well, of course, but I don't worry about my numbers. My mind doesn't work like that."
05/27/01
The Indians have lived by established rules over the last several years.
Regarding the bullpen, they've almost always added a fresh arm from the minors if the relievers were overworked and in danger of being squeezed too hard.
They go into the third and final game of this series with the Yankees today in that position, but manager Charlie Manuel says no help is coming.
"We need at least seven innings from Bartolo Colon," said Manuel.
Colon, facing Ted Lilly today, has reached the seventh inning in his last 14 starts. Manuel is counting on him making it 15.
Manuel is missing left-hander Ricardo Rincon, who left the team before Friday's game because his son in Mexico is ill. He's scheduled to return tomorrow afternoon or Tuesday.
In yesterday's 12-5 loss to New York, he was forced to use Rich Rodriguez and Steve Karsay because rookies C.C. Sabathia and Roy Smith were no match for the Yankees. Sabathia couldn't get through the fifth inning for his second straight start, while Smith allowed four runs on four hits in 2?innings in his big-league debut.
Steve Reed, who'd pitched in five of the last six games, wasn't available. Closer Bob Wickman, with three straight appearances, and Paul Shuey, with appearances in two of the three previous games, needed a break.
Charles Nagy, Willie Blair, Danys Baez and Steve Woodard are available in Class AAA Buffalo, but the Indians chose not to promote them for a variety of reasons. Nagy is scheduled to make his last rehab start tomorrow. Blair isn't on the 40-man roster. Baez couldn't be recalled because he hadn't been in the minors for 10 days after getting sent down May 19. Woodard started for Buffalo last night.
"We'll be all right," said Manuel.
GO TO THE WELL(S)?
General Manager John Hart has tried to acquire pitcher David Wells for years. But with the White Sox sinking in the American League Central and Chicago GM Kenny Williams reportedly trying to dump the left-hander, Hart is a reluctant shopper.
"The dollars are prohibitive at this time," he said. "I don't envision them trying to move him within our division. With so many more division games this season, a big pitcher like that could make a difference."
Any team that acquires Wells will inherit about $8 million of his current $9.2 million salary, as well as the $1.25 million buyout on next year's $10 million club option.
Since going into last year's All-Star break at 15-2, Wells is 8-11 in 26 starts. The opposition is hitting .292 against him with 23 homers.
NO PRESSURE
The Indians have a righty-righty platoon in left field.
Marty Cordova is hitting .354 (45-for-127) and has made 21 starts in left. Wil Cordero has made 15 starts in left and is hitting .337 (33-for-98).
Cordova has eight homers and 30 RBI, while Cordero has three homers and 13 RBI.
When asked if he puts any extra pressure on himself to produce so he can stay in left field, Cordero said, "This is about the team, this is about winning. It's not about my statistics. If the manager puts me in there, I want to do well, of course, but I don't worry about my numbers. My mind doesn't work like that."
