Mound of Trouble

Mound of trouble: Indians' battered bullpen offers many questions, few answers (so far)Posted by Paul Hoynes July 24, 2008 20:11PM


Mark Avery/Associated Press
Masa Kobayashi may --- or may not --- be the Indians' closer for the rest of the season, but that doesn't mean the club won't be searching for a better alternative in 2009.The Indians in an emotional sense have rebounded from the trade of CC Sabathia.
"They're back to being themselves," said manager Eric Wedge, "relaxing, having some fun and trying to play good baseball."

What they haven't rebounded from this season, and probably won't until it is rebuilt or repaired in the off-season, is one of the worst bullpens in the big leagues.

The Indians have no established closer or reliable set-up men. What they have is a jigsaw puzzle dumped on the dining room table waiting for Wedge and GM Mark Shapiro to snap it into place.

"The roles are open -- wide open in the pen," said Wedge at the conclusion of the six-game trip through Seattle and Anaheim, Calif.


The injury and release of closer Joe Borowski and the decline of super set-up man Rafael Betancourt have plunged the bullpen to the bottom of most American League stats. The Tribe's entire pen has 16 saves compared to Francisco Rodriguez's 42 for the Angels.

Borowski and Betancourt aren't the only guilty parties. Jensen Lewis has yet to find the velocity and command he showed going down the stretch last season. Lefty Rafael Perez is only now pitching as he did last year when he and Betancourt ruled the seventh and eighth innings. Tom Mastny remains inconsistent and off-season acquisitions Jorge Julio and Craig Breslow were jettisoned a long time ago.

(Tom Mastny (1-2, 14.90 ERA) was the latest Indians reliever to feel the pain of a lost season when he allowed a grand slam to Jeff Mathis of the Angels on Wednesday.Wedge believes a bullpen starts with its closer. Unless Masa Kobayashi seizes the job in the second half (he's 6-for-8 in save situations), the Indians will go into the winter looking for one. )

"A lot would have to come into play right now with the people we have for us not go out and get a closer," said Wedge. "Someone would have to really grab the role, really lock into it and prove we could count on him for next year. That's a lot to have happen in two-plus months."

Potential free agent closers include Brian Fuentes, Eric Gagne, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, Todd Jones, Brandon Lyon, Rodriguez and Kerry Wood. If Oakland doesn't trade Huston Street to a contender in the next few weeks, he might be available as well.

Tribe prospect Adam Miller has the arm to close, but he's recovering from surgery on the middle finger of his right hand, the latest in a series of nagging injuries that have blocked his path to the big leagues. Miller has spent almost his whole minor-league career as a starter, but he could be a candidate for the bullpen based on what he does in winter ball or the Arizona Fall League and in spring training.

Shapiro said Betancourt, Rafael Perez and Kobayashi will be part of the pen in 2009.

"Ed Mujica, Jensen Lewis and Tom Mastny have a chance to improve their opportunity and status for next year by pitching well now," said Shapiro.

Added Wedge, "I believe Rafael Betancourt can get back on track and be someone we can count in the late innings. I don't think it will happen overnight.

Former Twins reliever Juan Rincon, signed to a minor-league contract and promoted to Cleveland on July 9, has done well in limited appearances.

"He's a free agent at the end of the season," said Shapiro, "but when we signed him it was with the idea that he may be able to help us next year."

Veteran Brendan Donnelly, recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, is pitching at Class AAA Buffalo in a comeback attempt. When the Indians signed him, it was with the idea that he could help them down the stretch toward the postseason. With the Indians no longer a contender, it's unclear how Donnelly, 37, fits in their plans.

Olympian Jeff Stevens, Brian Slocum and lefties Tony Sipp and Rich Rundles are candidates as well.

"We've got plenty of time to look at these guys," said Wedge. "They're going to get opportunities to step up and figure out if they can play a prominent role in this thing.

"I think everyone would agree that Perez is a lot better than he was earlier in the year. You want to see how Mastny and Lewis come along. You want to see if Betancourt can find it. Mujica has definitely evolved. We're using him in more prominent role."