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INDIANS INSIDER
Cleveland Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro says Tribe will get on phone with every team in Major League Baseball
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Joe MaxsePlain Dealer Reporter
A week that wasn't much has made all the difference.
After winning five of six home games to climb into first place in the American League Central Division on May 15, the Indians left town and promptly lost six straight to drop 4? games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox. Baseball may be a funny game, but there was obviously not much joy flowing at Progressive Field before Friday night's series opener against the Texas Rangers.
The way the offensively challenged Indians were swept at Cincinnati and Chicago brought concern at all levels.
"It's obviously frustrating for all of us," said General Manager Mark Shapiro. "It's tough on the players, the front office, the staff and the fans. It's easier for us here because we know about the amount of work being done by the players and the staff. That being said . . . "
With runs so scarce, 13 in the six losses, Shapiro said righting the ship when it comes to run production is the key. However, making a blockbuster trade for the quick fix was not that much of an option.
"Historically, big trades are not made in late May," said Shapiro. "With the way we're geared here, it's hard to talk about your young players, so there is a large gap between executing things and considering things. We will get on the phone with every team in the league, although sometimes a trade of magnitude comes down the road. We will explore everything at this point."
The lack of offense and the failure of the bullpen have been the obvious culprits. With the lowest team batting average in baseball at .231, it's impractical to deal the entire lineup, although the paying customers might consider it.
"You expect a number of guys to struggle, but the entire team is unprecedented," said Shapiro. "The track record is we'll get going. It doesn't make it any easier when you are going through it."
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In above Referenced Article Choo is to be activated late next week possibly.