Major League Baseball

Indians' GM-in-waiting Antonetti likes outlook

Published Aug. 25, 2010 12:59 a.m. ET

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Chris Antonetti intends to stay the course plotted by Mark Shapiro for the Cleveland Indians.

Antonetti said Tuesday he doesn't expect any drastic change in organizational philosophy when he officially becomes general manager and Shapiro assumes the role of team president on Nov. 1.

''I'm excited by the opportunity and the challenge,'' said Antonetti, completing his ninth year as assistant general manager. ''I'm confident we have the people in place to be successful. We're all building towards trying to get back to a championship-caliber club.''

Impatient fans question how that process is going. Cleveland has not won a World Series since 1948 nor played in one since 1997. The Indians are currently last in the AL Central and in danger of finishing worse than the 65-97 record a year ago that led to the firing of the coaching staff.

Antonetti has gradually been given more responsibility over the baseball operations and said the team's progress will be reflected in incremental steps as well.

''It's not going to happen overnight,'' he said. ''The first thing we need to do is get guys back and healthy.''

Season-ending injuries to former All-Star center fielder Grady Sizemore and promising young catcher Carlos Santana have contributed to Cleveland's poor record. Other key players being sidelined - such as shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, designated hitter Travis Hafner and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo - also hurt.

Antonetti expects all of them to be ready to for the start of the 2011 season.

''That will give us a nucleus to build on, but we need to be able to supplement that,'' Antonetti said. He said the club will have to examine its finances before deciding if it can bid for any free agents this winter.

Despite being 24 games under .500, Antonetti insists the Indians are not a lost cause. He listed an improved bullpen and depth of minor league talent as among the positives, but admitted better infield defense continues to be a priority.

''We have a pitching staff that largely relies on ground-ball contact, and we haven't always done a very good job of picking up the ball behind them,'' he said.

Not a lot of help will be coming from the minors this season. Antonetti said the Indians will probably keep some prospects at Triple-A Columbus when rosters are expanded on Sept. 1. With the Clippers pushing for a postseason berth, top players will stay there for the playoffs and then possibly be called up.

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