GM's job is a balancing act

GM's job is a balancing act
Shapiro must weigh instinct with reality and hope for the best
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008

CLEVELAND: Can the Indians make you crazy?

Just listen to Mark Shapiro, who, as the Tribe's general manager, lives with the team's problems 24/7.

''There is a moment before every game starts when I think we're going to take off and go on a roll,'' he said Wednesday. ''Other times I see all the things that would make it very difficult to do that.''

Balancing one's instincts with reality is one of the more difficult things a GM must do.

Theoretically, the Indians have time to turn their season around. Moreover, there is doubt that the Chicago White Sox can maintain their current pace as Central Division front-runners. But as Shapiro said: ''I think we have to play consistently better baseball. I don't think anyone is going to run away with it. But the first thing we have to do is get back in it.''

In other words, before the Tribe worries about catching Chicago, it has to win enough games to at least reach .500.

But with Travis Hafner on the disabled list for at least another two weeks and Victor Martinez playing with a strained hamstring, can the offense produce enough runs? And can an inconsistent group of relievers regain the reliability they had a year ago?

''It's not just injuries,'' Shapiro said. ''We've had injuries to important guys, but we've also had disappointing performances. And all these negatives have happened over 67 games.''

For those who automatically believe that Shapiro will attempt to trade C.C. Sabathia if the Tribe fails to get back in the race, he said there are other alternatives. Like signing the prospective free agent.

Asked if Sabathia could be on the club next year, even if the Indians are also-rans this year, he said, ''Absolutely.''

He also left the door open for discussions to occur before Sabathia becomes a free agent.

''Normally, we don't negotiate during the season,'' Shapiro said. ''But there are exceptions.''

Even if Shapiro concludes that Sabathia must go before the July 31 trading deadline, it is likely he would make one final attempt to negotiate to a contract extension.

Taking a backward glance to last winter, Shapiro defended his decision not to make a major deal that would bolster the offense.

''Looking back at the offseason, I would have to say there was nothing we could have done differently,'' he said. ''Maybe we could have made a very painful trade for a corner [hitter] that might have allowed us to win one or two more games.''



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Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.

CLEVELAND: Can the Indians make you crazy?

Just listen to Mark Shapiro, who, as the Tribe's general manager, lives with the team's problems 24/7.

''There is a moment before every game starts when I think we're going to take off and go on a roll,'' he said Wednesday. ''Other times I see all the things that would make it very difficult to do that.''

Balancing one's instincts with reality is one of the more difficult things a GM must do.

Theoretically, the Indians have time to turn their season around. Moreover, there is doubt that the Chicago White Sox can maintain their current pace as Central Division front-runners. But as Shapiro said: ''I think we have to play consistently better baseball. I don't think anyone is going to run away with it. But the first thing we have to do is get back in it.''

In other words, before the Tribe worries about catching Chicago, it has to win enough games to at least reach .500.

But with Travis Hafner on the disabled list for at least another two weeks and Victor Martinez playing with a strained hamstring, can the offense produce enough runs? And can an inconsistent group of relievers regain the reliability they had a year ago?

''It's not just injuries,'' Shapiro said. ''We've had injuries to important guys, but we've also had disappointing performances. And all these negatives have happened over 67 games.''

For those who automatically believe that Shapiro will attempt to trade C.C. Sabathia if the Tribe fails to get back in the race, he said there are other alternatives. Like signing the prospective free agent.

Asked if Sabathia could be on the club next year, even if the Indians are also-rans this year, he said, ''Absolutely.''

He also left the door open for discussions to occur before Sabathia becomes a free agent.

''Normally, we don't negotiate during the season,'' Shapiro said. ''But there are exceptions.''

Even if Shapiro concludes that Sabathia must go before the July 31 trading deadline, it is likely he would make one final attempt to negotiate to a contract extension.

Taking a backward glance to last winter, Shapiro defended his decision not to make a major deal that would bolster the offense.

''Looking back at the offseason, I would have to say there was nothing we could have done differently,'' he said. ''Maybe we could have made a very painful trade for a corner [hitter] that might have allowed us to win one or two more games.''