Change This Team

Wow I get home it seems like things are going nuts.

Kenny Rosenthal, who I trust and is very accurate most of the time, brings up the name for trade rumors.

Now this is purely him saying "Should the Indians consider trading Victor Martinez?"

Not there are teams interesting in trading for Victor Martinez, or the Indians are interesting in trading Victor Martinez. I'm sure teams would be interested in trading for Victor Martinez, but don't jump the gun here.

I hate hypotheticals, especially in the middle of May. But last year we had to face the questions about CC, so it's no surprise that some are coming up about our most prized player, hottest hitter, and best offensive catcher in the game.

I wouldn't trade him. Not this year, not next year. I think Martinez needs to finish out this contract, or at least stick around till we know Carlos Santana and or Beau Mills are ready.

What I would do is fix this team though.

It's gotten to a point where something has to change, but it has to be consistent.

Let's start with this lineup. I'd make changes, lots of them, but I'd keep them, unlike Wedge.

I think this team is so versatile, it is actually TOO versatile. Wedge has too many options, and it is really silly. Here is my regular lineup, in order of batting.

RF - Shin Soo-Choo
SS - Asdrubal Cabrera
C - Victor Martinez
DH - Travis Hafner
CF - Grady Sizemore
3B - Jhonny Peralta
2B - Mark DeRosa
1B - Ryan Garko
LF - Matt LaPorta

On days Choo gets a rest, I'd put Mark DeRosa in Right Field, put Jamey Carroll in at second and lead the game off, or switch Cabrera up to leadoff and Carroll second.

I'd also send Luis Valbuena to Triple-A, let him play everyday and call up Josh Barfield to do the role he was trained to do.

I'd start Kelly Shoppach once every five games, with Cliff Lee pitching. Not with Pavano, not with anyone else, just Cliff Lee, just once every five times around the staff. Vic would play first then.

I'm cutting Dellucci for Hafner by the by. Ben Francisco is basically the fourth outfielder. Give him shots against a few right-handers once a week, use him to give Grady a break every once and awhile if need be. But there is no reason for there to be five outfielders on this team once Hafner gets back.

Also.. Grady in the five hole because hes struggling. Once he starts to get going, I'd move him back up to the leadoff spot, unless Choo is GODLIKE there. But that's a temporary thing until Grady gets himself going, because right now, he's killing us leading off.

In the bullpen, I'd just keep trying until we found a combo that works. Hopefully Joe Smith is almost ready, and Rafael Perez is on his way to getting his form back. That will help most definitely.

This lineup needs to be consistent. This defense needs to be consistent. This versatility crap has to stop. It's nice, for a pinch, or in depth cases, but just because Mark DeRosa can play first, or say... Matt LaPorta can play first, doesn't mean you play them there.

Peralta needs to be moved to third base forever, because the defense is much better with him there, DeRosa at second, and our best defensive infielder playing the most important defensive position.

That's how I'm changing this team in hopes of fixing it.. What about you?