Major League Baseball

Surprising Indians begin second half in contention

Published Jul. 13, 2011 9:56 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Somehow, some way, despite key injuries and skeptics who don't believe they can keep it up, the Cleveland Indians have spent much of the season atop the AL Central.

Much to almost everyone's surprise, they're in contention.

The trick now is staying there.

After dropping their final three games before the All-Star break and finishing the unofficial first half just one-half game behind first-place Detroit, the Indians, who have overcome their warts and blemishes by being resilient, resume their unexpected season on Thursday by opening a four-game series in Baltimore.

They'll do so with a reshuffled starting rotation and a front office approaching the July 31 trading deadline with caution.

The Indians are in the market for a right-handed hitter and shopping for a veteran starter.

General manager Chris Antonetti has accepted the ''window of opportunity'' is open and it's time to be active and add to his club for the playoff push. But at what cost?

''The plan is to win games, get to the postseason and win championships,'' Antonetti said. ''You have a certain opportunity to do that. This year, the way the team has played, this is one of those opportunities where we can compete. We'll try to do everything we can to maximize this opportunity. That said, there is that balance of being mindful at what expense long term and what we will have to give up.

''We recognize there is going to have to be some compromise if we're going to be giving up young players who can potentially contribute down the road. We understand there is going to be some cost associated with improving this year's team. We just have to find out what the right balance is.''

The Indians (47-42) have a dilemma. If they truly believe they can get to the World Series, are they willing to sacrifice a few top prospects to get there? And if they don't think this is their year and decide not to make any moves, what kind of message does that send to a frustrated and mostly apathetic fan base still grumbling over the organization's inability to sign Cy Young winners CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee and catcher Victor Martinez to long-term contracts?

It's a tough call. It's all Antonetti's, and he's prepared to make the Indians better - if he can.

''We're open to any way we can improve the team, whatever that might be,'' he said.

With Shin-Soo Choo sidelined until late August or early September after breaking his thumb on June 24, the Indians are looking for an outfielder to add punch to an offense that has sputtered all season long.

Choo seemed to be finally emerging from a funk when he got hurt, an unfortunate setback for the 29-year-old whom the Indians would like to sign before he becomes eligible for free agency this winter.

Antonetti is focused on improving Cleveland's offense, which has managed to stay above water - thanks to All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera - despite losing Choo and playing without designated hitter Travis Hafner and outfielder Grady Sizemore (both on the disabled list) for long stretches.

But to stay close in a wide-open division that could turn into a four-team drag race in the closing weeks, the Indians could use a dependable bat.

As usual, names are being kicked around as possible targets, including Kansas City outfielders Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera.

But the Royals need starting pitchers and it's unlikely that the Indians, who have their own pitching issues in the back of their rotation with both Fausto Carmona and Mitch Talbot struggling and on the disabled list, would part with any of the young and talented arms in their minor league system.

Antonetti hasn't labeled anyone as ''untouchable'' but it's safe to assume top pitching prospects Alex White and Drew Pomeranz aren't going anywhere.

Manager Manny Acta understands that landing the right player could be costly, especially this season with tight races in every division.

''It is not as easy as it sounds,'' Acta said. ''There are so many teams in so many races that they don't want to give up players. Those that do, want to hold on to them, to see which teams will give them the best offer.''

The Indians are at least one year ahead of their timetable to contend. They figured this would be another year of rebuilding, of figuring out what they've got and what they need. And who knows, it could still become that type of season if the pitching falls apart, injuries continue to mount and the Tigers, Twins or White Sox get hot.

But enough has happened already this season - 20 come-from-behind wins, magical walk-off home victories, a lights-out bullpen - for the Indians to believe they can get to the postseason.

''We've been hit physically, especially on offense, but everybody on the roster has battled,'' said Hafner, whose comeback after several sub-par seasons has sparked the club's turnaround. ''The pitchers have done a great job of keeping us in games. They've done it all year. We have to get to full strength and when that happens, I think we can be even better.''

They'll need to be.

The Indians will play 47 of their 73 games in the second half inside the division, where they are just 13-12.

The schedule makers have set things up for a wild scramble in September as 22 of Cleveland's last 26 games will be against teams in the Central, culminating with a three-game series in Detroit to end the regular season.

October beckons. In July, it's still hard to say if the Indians have what it takes to get there.

To Hafner, this season is reminiscent of 2005, when an inexperienced Indians squad overachieved, won 93 games but collapsed down the stretch and fell just shy of making the postseason. He hopes the outcome is different this time.

''We were a collection of young guys learning to win and we have a lot of that here now,'' he said. ''In 2007, we were more of a veteran club expected to do something. Now, there's not a lot of guys who have gone to the playoffs. They're excited to get there.''

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball