Indians' GM Antonetti discusses team's start and Lindor's future
CLEVELAND -- With the Indians embarking on a seven-game road trip to Texas and Chicago, general manager Chris Antonetti's opinions of the team's start mirror those of manager Terry Francona.
However Antonetti remains upbeat that things can turn around heading into the latter part of May.
"It's just been inconsistent to start the year. I still think, when you look at individual performances and pockets of the team you see reasons for hope and to be optimistic," Antonetti said before Wednesday's game. "But, we've yet to put games together consistently where we've pitched well, played well defensively, executed offensively and done that on a consistent basis. I think we're capable of that. I think we'll do that and perform like the team we think we can be, but we haven't done that yet."
At 12-21 the Indians are two wins shy of where they were at this point last year. The offense has showed signs of breaking out at times with Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley, but the bottom of the order continues to struggle. There are hopes that things can turn around on this road trip. The Tribe has won six straight against the Rangers and have had some success at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago the past two seasons.
Antonetti talked for nearly 20 minutes where the seven minutes were devoted to questions about Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor. Ramirez is batting .178 on the season and .185 in May while Lindor has a seven-game hitting streak and is 10-for-28 during that span.
When asked if the arbitration clock and possible Super Two status enters into the decision on when Lindor will get promoted, Antonetti said it does not and has more to do with Lindor's development.
"He's not yet to the point of dominating that level and that pitching, but he's progressing well in that respect," Antonetti said. "At some point, we still expect him to be a very good player for a very long time. The only question is when that will happen, and that timing isn't now.
"It's a question of what makes us a better Major League team and Francisco is not the only option we have to improve our Major League team. Once Mike Aviles gets back, that'll continue to provide us a more reliable and veteran Major League player that's had success in that role. Maybe he can absorb a few more of those at-bats and playing time when he returns."
Among other items that Antonetti touched on:
On the impact of Yan Gomes' injury: "I think it's had an impact. Any time you lose a player of Yan's, not only the caliber of performer he is, but what he means to the team, his leadership on the field and in the clubhouse, it has an impact, no matter who you have to come in and replace him. We were fortunate that we have a very capable player and replacement in Roberto (Perez). And I think by and large, while he's still developing, I think he's done a very good job of that."
On signing Carlos Marmol to a minor-league deal: "Really, there was very little risk. We had a chance to watch him throw a number of times in the Dominican Republic. He's changes his arm slot a little bit, that we think will hopefully help him improve some of the command issues he's had in the past. He's regained some of the velocity that he had lost. So, we thought it was worthwhile to explore and see how he's able to progress. He'll start in Arizona to get back into a regular routine and progress through our system. Whether that's immediately to Triple-A, or Double-A to Triple-A, remains to be seen."
On the outfield logjam: "We've tried to do the best we can to stay consistent with our communication with those guys. I think Tito shared with you that he met with them as a group to talk through it. I think everybody's on the same page -- Tito, myself and all the players involved."
On if any coaches jobs are in jeopardy with the slow start: "Not all all. I believe the group we have is part of the solution. I've never been around a group that's worked as hard and is as committed each day to try to help players get better. That's ultimately what we're looking for. We've got a group of guys that not only are incredibly hard working, but go about it the right way, and really take collective responsibility in trying to help guys get better, and take advantage of every resource at their disposal to try to do that. Right now, obviously the performance that we've had on the field has not been as consistent as we would've liked or hoped, but with the group we have in place, I know it will get better."
