Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
March 15, 2007
Long Term Mark

The Cleveland Indians extended the contract of GM Mark Shapiro through the 2012 season:

After winning only 68 games in 2003, the Indians jumped to 80 wins in 2004. The following season Cleveland went 93-69 but missed the playoffs when they collapsed in the season's final week. However, Shapiro was named baseball's top executive by the Sporting News.

The Indians were expected to contend last season, but a poor start coupled with baseball's worst bullpen resulted in a 78-84 record and fourth-place finish in their division.

The Indians are a trendy pick to win the AL Central this season. I'm not sure I buy that. They've underperformed their Pythagorean projections two years in a row. Last year, they outscored their opponents by 88 runs, but still posted a losing record. Was this:

  • A run of bad luck?
  • Poor in-game management?
  • Poor construction of the team?

The contract extension indicates that the Indians ownership doesn't think it's the last option. It's may be number one, but if we that happen again, I'd suspect Wedge's job will be on the line.


Posted by David Pinto at 10:53 AM | Management | TrackBack (0)
Comments

That 2005 Exec of the Year was bogus (I mean, he did sign Juan Gone that year....), as Kenny Williams earned it by their WS victory. KW was robbed of that one. This extension doesn't seem out if line, especially if he replaces Wedge at the first sign of trouble. Unless they get crazy good pitching (Lee being out doesn't help matters), they are not a first place team, seemingly...

Posted by: Rosie at March 15, 2007 12:00 PM

What "poor start" in '06? Last April was the ONLY April the Tribe has had a winning record (by 1 game) since Shapiro hired Eric Wedge as manager. The implosion of the bullpen and Wedgie were the biggest problems in '06, along with an infield that couldn't catch a cold in January.

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