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Published: Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Shapiro should be 'Dolan' out more $

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The Indians finished 18 games behind Minnesota in the AL Central.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians general manager Mark Shapiro came up with a novel idea to help get Cleveland back to the AL playoffs.

"Maybe I could petition to get us moved to the NL Central," Shapiro joked Tuesday. "Now that would be impactful."

The reality is that the Indians, coming off an unfulfilling season in which they won 15 fewer games than a year ago, are near the bottom of the AL Central, easily the majors' toughest division.

It's one of the larger challenges Shapiro faces as he enters an offseason of uncertainty for the Indians, who finished 18 games behind Minnesota, 17 behind Detroit and 12 back of the Chicago White Sox. Only lowly Kansas City, 16 games behind Cleveland, finished worse.

Immediate action

The Indians quickly took care of some business following a disappointing season by exercising contract options for 2007 on steady starter Jake Westbrook and utility man Casey Blake on Tuesday.

The club also declined a mutual option with third baseman Aaron Boone, making him eligible for free agency.

Shapiro still needs to address several areas of his club, with his focus on rebuilding a horrific bullpen and improving the Indians' infield defense which he described as "poor."

During his annual state-of-the-Indians talk with reporters, Shapiro addressed a number of issues including: a thin free-agent market, his contract situation, manager Eric Wedge's performance, the Indians' payroll as well as the club's failures in 2006 and outlook for 2007.

"There's reasons to be hopeful and reasons to be positive," Shaprio said, "and this offseason could dictate how hopeful and positive. We missed one window of opportunity with this team and we don't want to miss another."

Specific areas

Shapiro, who expects to have more money from owners Larry and Paul Dolan to spend this winter, identified relief pitching and infield defense — Cleveland needs a starting second baseman — as his top two priorities this winter.

"Those are the two areas that necessitate the most attention," said Shapiro, who traded closer Bob Wickman in July to Atlanta when it became obvious the Indians weren't going to make a push in the division.

Had he kept Wickman, Shapiro feels the Indians (78-84) could have won 84 or 85 games.

"That wouldn't make fans happy, but it might have been a decent representation of where this team is really at," he said.

With a weak class available this winter, Shapiro may have to find his closer within the organization. He was as assistant GM during the Indians' championship run in the 1990s when the club twice went into spring training without a closer and gave the job to Jose Mesa and then Mike Jackson.

"I'm not saying we can re-create that, but it's possible," he said.

Shaky bullpen

Cleveland's shaky bullpen contributed to the club falling behind early this season, and when asked to identify relievers on his roster he can count on for next season, Shapiro paused for several seconds.

"[Rafael] Betancourt," he said.

Later, he mentioned Jason Davis, Fernando Cabrera and Matt Miller as pitchers with enough experience and major league success that they should be able to help in '07. He's also excited by the promise in youngsters Tom Mastny, Rafael Perez, Juan Lara and Tony Sipp.

However, Shapiro said none of his current pitchers is a candidate to be his closer next season.

"Our bullpen wasn't capable, it was terrible," he said.

And while Shapiro knows he may need to trade prospects to fix the backend of his bullpen, he'd rather keep his starting rotation intact if possible. Cleveland's starters stayed healthy and were again the backbone for the club in '06, and Shapiro said the only way he would consider trading one of them is if he got a dependable starter in return.

Shapiro said Ronnie Belliard, whom he traded to St. Louis in July, remains an option for second base next season. There aren't many quality free agents available at second, so Shapiro will either find one through a trade or sign an international player.

Measurement of manager

Although the Indians failed to improve their win total for the first time in four years with Wedge, Shapiro was impressed with the way his manager handled a very difficult season.

"I think Eric did a good job," he said.

"Do I want him to get better in some areas? Yes. Do I need to get better in some areas? Absolutely.

"The accountability rests with me and the reposonsibility for the disappointment is shared from the players to Eric to me."

Shapiro is entering the final year under contract and has spoken with the Dolans about his future in Cleveland.

"Paul and I have a strong and positive relationship," said Shapiro, Cleveland's GM the past five seasons. "We have had discussions but it is not a priority. The priority for me is to improve this team to a championship level for next year."

Wednesday, October 4, 2006