HEY, HOYNSIE!

Paul Hoynes fields your Cleveland Indians questions

Got an Indians question? Send it in. Submit your question to cleveland.com/heyhoynsie, and Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes will choose several to answer each Sunday here in the sports section. All of Paul's answers are archived online.

Jeff Chiu/Associated PressTough times for pitcher Barry Zito, the Giants are willing to trade him and pay the majority of his contract. Should the Indians take a chance on him?

Hey, Chris: If you had Zito in your rotation, wouldn't you be willing to give him away?

I saw Zito a lot with the A's when he was good. My feeling is, if he's struggling in the pitcher friendly National League since moving across the bay to San Francisco, what's going to happen when he returns to the hitter friendly American League?

Hey, Hoynsie: Privately, how concerned are the Indians that Travis Hafner may not come back to form and leave them void of a middle-of-the-order bat that is so critical to success? -- Leslie Gorta, Walton Hills.

Hey, Leslie: They have to be concerned. They tried patience and rehabilitation on Hafner's right shoulder all season. When they didn't see the results they expected at the end of the season, they turned to surgery.

The good news is the surgery uncovered nothing unexpected in Hafner's right shoulder. The bad news is the surgery uncovered nothing unexpected.

Hafner is currently rehabbing. He might be a little behind schedule at the start of spring training, but he's expected to be ready when the season opens April 6.

Hey, Hoynsie: When was the last time the Indians had consecutive Cy Young award winners? -- Bill Verbi, Lakewood.

Hey, Bill: CC Sabathia (2007) and Cliff Lee (2008) are the first Indians to do it. Gaylord Perry is the Tribe's only other Cy Young winner, and he did it in 1972.

Lawrence Jackson/Associated PressSorry Tribe fans, but after averaging nearly 20 homers per year over his first three big-league seasons, Washington's Ryan Zimmerman isn't going to be available for a collection of Indians part-timers.

Hey, Ken: No offense, but you're thinking like a Indians fan instead of a general manager.

You correctly called the players you're willing to trade spare parts. Marte and Barfield might not be on the team by opening day. Gutierrez had a miserable season offensively and Francisco hasn't proved he's an everyday player. Laffey or Sowers might one day be reliable starting pitchers, but they're coming off below-average seasons.

If I'm Nationals GM Jim Bowden why would I trade Ryan Zimmerman, an everyday third baseman, for bits and pieces? Zimmerman was hurt this past season, but he still has the ability to hit 20-plus homers and drive in 100 runs a year.

Lopez won the NL batting title in 2006 and is an everyday second baseman. GM Neal Huntington, former Indians farm director might be an easier sell because of what he knows about their talent, but I'm sure he'd want an everyday player back. What if he asked for Asdrubal Cabrera and Sowers or Laffey?

The best general managers try to make trades that help both teams. That way they can do business again.

Got an Indians question? Send it in. Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes will choose several to answer each Sunday. Submit your question to: cleveland.com/heyhoynsie. Read Paul's answers each Sunday here in the sports section. All of Paul's answers are archived online.

Kathy Willens, Associated PressColorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday would be an expensive acquisition for the Indians.

A: Hey, David: Such a deal is easy to talk about but hard to make. Holliday is going to make $13.5 million in 2009 and will be a free agent after the season. If you make a deal, is it with the intention of signing him long term or renting him for 2009? How much does Indians GM Mark Shapiro give up and does he really believe Holliday is the difference between the Indians making the postseason or going home at the end of the regular season? Holliday was slowed this year by hamstring and back problems.

John Kuntz/The Plain DealerVictor Martinez has shown some skills at first base -- here tagging out Boston's Dustin Pedroia -- but that doesn't mean he's a good fit at the other corner position.

Hey, Joe: If you see Victor Martinez playing third base on a regular basis for the Indians next year, run for your life because the world as we know it just might be ending.

Hey, Hoynsie: How do you see the Tribe outfield shaking out? Shin-Soo Choo and Franklin Gutierrez are out of options. Michael Brantley, Trevor Crowe and Matt LaPorta are in the pipeline and it's doubtful David Dellucci can be traded. -- Mark Lasher, Bangor, Pa.

Hey, Mark: I think anyone not named Grady Sizemore or Shin-Soo Choo could be traded among the Tribe's outfielders. At this moment, however, I'd say the starting outfield would be Ben Francisco in left, Sizemore in center and Choo in right.

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerAre the Indians looking to deal Ryan Garko?

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you think it was Luis Isaac's fault that the Tribe got held to one hit in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series? -- Larry Willey, South Euclid

Hey, Larry: Don't get me started. It's taken me this long to come to grips with the fact that manager Eric Wedge actually fired Isaac after 44 years with the organization. For a while I thought it was a bad dream.

Hey, Hoynsie: What are the chances that the Indians trade Ryan Garko in the off-season? -- Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland

Hey, Angelo: Every manager has a player who he thinks responds better to a kick in the pants than a pat on the back. Garko is that player to Eric Wedge.

That said, with the uncertainty of Travis Hafner's availability following right shoulder surgery, I think the Indians will hold onto Garko.

Steve Mitchell/Associated PressAt least one Indians fan would like to see the team make a run at Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla. After all, how long does Florida hold on to its good players?

Hey, Steve: When I think of heaven, I don't think of Uggla or Gregg. For some reason Uggla's three errors at this year's All-Star game keep popping into my head instead of the 90 home runs he's hit over the last three years. Uggla strikes out a lot, 171 times this year, but his OPS is decent and he'd definitely give the Tribe's offense a jolt.

Gregg went 29-for-38 in save opportunities this year. Why does the name Joe Borowski, another former Marlins closer, keep coming to me?

Uggla and Gregg are due big raises in arbitration this winter, which is why the Marlins might trade them. The one thing about dealing with the Marlins is that they're very specific in what they want. When the Indians expressed interest in Miguel Cabrera last year, the Marlins shut them down quickly because they didn't offer the package of players they wanted.

If the Indians are able to add a No.3 starter through trade or free agency, perhaps they could part with one of the lefties you mentioned. I don't know if that would be enough to get Uggla.

Hey, Hoynsie: By the time Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley are ready to help the Indians, Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee will have left through free agency. Travis Hafner is already finished. Wouldn't you agree that the only way the Indians will be able to contend for a World Series is to have an owner who can afford to lose money on the Tribe because he/she makes a ton of money elsewhere? -- Mark Hudak, North Olmsted

Hey, Mark: The Indians were one victory away from the World Series in 2007, so they've already been contenders. Martinez and Lee have club options that could keep them in Cleveland through 2010. Sizemore could be with the Indians through 2012, providing his club option is exercised.

If LaPorta and/or Brantley aren't in the big leagues by 2010 and contributing on a regular basis, or at least showing signs that they're capable of doing that, the Indians made a bad deal for CC Sabathia.

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerThe dismissal of Luis Isaac is an example of Eric Wedge's control of the Indians' field operations.

Hey, Frank: Here's what I know. Isaac and pitching coach Carl Willis apparently had differences in philosophy and terminology when it came to working with the Tribe's pitchers. This wasn't the reason behind Isaac's dismissal, but it was probably an extenuating circumstance.

From what I've been able to learn, this was strictly Wedge's call. He felt Isaac had the bullpen job more through longevity and tenure than ability. Wedge felt he could make the Indians better by bringing in a new coach.

In making the move, Wedge knows he'll be held accountable.

Personally, I feel it's a bad move. Isaac deserved to retire as an Indian.

Hey, Hoynsie: After watching plate umpire Gerry Davis' strike zone for the Boston pitchers on the Indians' last trip, I'm wondering if MLB has finally replaced pro wrestling as the nations' official pastime? -- Mike Yanczysin, Painesville

Hey, Mike: If former big-league umpire Ken Kaiser was behind the plate, I might agree. Kaiser was a professional wrestler. I once saw Kaiser picked up the San Diego Chicken at Cleveland Municipal Stadium and throw him into the seats.

It was much better than the game, as I remember.



Roadell Hickman/The Plain DealerLast Friday's brawl was a hot topic among Hey, Hoynsie readers.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Do you see the Indians trading Victor Martinez during the off-season for pitching help and allowing one of their young minor leaguers (Beau Mills or Matt LaPorta) to take over at first base?
-- Steve Chappel, Hinckley.

A: Hey, Steve: I think General Manager Mark Shapiro will consider a lot of things this winter -- he probably already has -- but I'd be stunned if he traded Martinez.

Hey, Hoynsie: Andy Marte's stats from the minors to the majors are night and day. He's had a couple changes in scenery just as Brandon Phillips did. Could Marte be another Mark Lewis, a Class AAA star but an average major-leaguer? -- Robert Driscoll, Parma

Hey, Robert: It happens all the time. Here's something else to remember. Atlanta, at least the old Atlanta organization headed by former GM John Schuerholz, rarely rid itself of premium talent. One more thing. If Marte was an average major-league player, he'd probably be the Indians' third baseman next year.

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore's 30-30 season in home runs and steals is one of the Indians franchise's best, but he's not likely to be a factor in the American League's MVP race.

Hey, Jack: Sizemore has had a good season. Going 30-30 is a rare accomplishment, and he had to carry the load with Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez injured for much of the year, but I don't see him as a serious MVP candidate. He may get some votes -- members of the BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) can vote for as many as 10 players on the MVP ballot -- but when you play for a non-contender, it's hard to win that specific award.

Hey, Hoynsie: With the Indians excess of position players, do you see a trade for a closer or starter? Can the Indians get Huston Street? -- Geoffrey Lee, San Jose, Calif.

Hey, Geoffrey: Street is an interesting name, but he's had some elbow issues. I definitely think the Indians' best route to find a proven closer is by trade. It will be difficult to fill that role through free agency, although they could conduct a cattle call for relievers in spring training next year and see who emerges.

Got an Indians question? Send it in. Submit your question to cleveland.com/heyhoynsie, and Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes will choose several to answer each Sunday here in the sports section. All of Paul's answers are archived online.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: How many more times are reporters going to have to interview Cliff Lee before you realize that he's not worth interviewing because he pretty much doesn't care about winning 20 games? I like Lee, but he is a very boring interview.

When he won 20 games last week, I knew he'd say something like, "I do what I have to do to help this team win. I play for the team, not myself. The 20 games is just something for you [the media] to talk about."

I just don't understand why reporters continue to interview him when we all know he doesn't get excited about anything and that you won't get anything worthwhile out of him. - Kevin Weed, Lexington, Ohio

A: Hey, Kevin: I've been inter viewing Cliff Lee for as long as he's been an Indian. He's blunt, honest and answers every question.

After winning 20 games, he gave reporters great quotes about his in-game exchange with Chicago catcher A.J. Pierzynski. I think those quotes made a good story even better to write about.

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerTravis Hafner's struggles with his right shoulder have been serious enough to affect his performance over the last two seasons.

Hey, Tom: I've always tried to take this approach with injured athletes -- if they say they're injured, they're injured. You may not believe this, but most professional athletes like to earn their salaries. Part of the reason Hafner is in this situation is because, although he hasn't said this, I believe he played most of the 2007 season with his right shoulder hurting like it was earlier this year. Anyone who saw how his swing changed after April of 2007 knew something was wrong.

As for being motivated by free agency, what good would Hafner have done himself by playing hurt and having a lousy season with free agency beckoning this winter? Would that have enhanced his value?

Hey, Hoynsie: With so many outfielders on the Tribe roster, why not see if Shin-Soo Choo can be converted to third base this off-season? He certainly has the arm and appears to have the quickness and agility for the position. -- Steve Gaylo, Thompson, Ohio

Hey, Steve: The Indians are just starting to get confident with Choo in the outfield. Besides, there's a reason you never see a left-handed third baseman -- the difficulty in turning against your body to start a double play around the horn has pretty much eliminated any lefties at the hot corner.

Give yourself points for thinking outside the box, but forget about it.

Tony Dejak/Associated PressAndy Marte has yet to earn the trust of Indians manager Eric Wedge when it comes to late-inning pressure situations at the plate.

Hey, Kevin: That will be enough of that kind of talk, young man. You're grounded.

Hey, Hoynsie: The Indians have said that one of the benefits of this lost season is the ability to let Andy Marte play every day to assess his talent at third base. If that's the case, why does manager Eric Wedge pinch hit for Marte late in games? -- Andy Pacyna, Independence

Hey, Andy: Wedge likes players to earn the right to hit, play or pitch in critical situations. What has Marte done to earn a chance in the late innings with the game on the line? If he starts to hit earlier in the game, if he starts to show he can drive the ball, then he'll get a chance.

He hasn't done that and time is running out.

John Bazemore/Associated PressMajor-league umpire C.B. Bucknor displays one of the many attributes required of a quality arbiter: the ability to defuse heated situations.

Hey, Greg: He has to be decisive, clear-thinking and have an expert knowledge of the rulebook and how it's interpreted in game situations.

It seems like most umpires are judged by their work behind the plate. So it would be nice if their version of the strike zone matched the one in the rulebook. Self-confidence is a good thing for an umpire. Arrogance is not. Nobody comes to a game to watch an umpire.

He has to be impartial, keep his cool in pressure situations and be in the right place at the right time. There's about 400 or 500 other things, but you get the idea. It's a tough job and the umpires I know always try to get the call right.

Hey, Hoynsie: How concerned are the Indians with Shin-Soo Choo having to do military service in South Korea? -- Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland

Hey, Angelo: It's a sensitive subject, especially in Choo's homeland of South Korea. There are solutions, but they are complicated and would involve difficult decisions.

Kyle Ericson/Associated PressManny Ramirez is back to his Hall of Fame-level of slugging with his latest team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. But Paul Hoynes is certain his Cooperstown plaque --- should he get one --- will include a Red Sox cap.

Hey, Hoynsie: Now that Manny Ramirez is with the Dodgers, what do you think are the chances his Cooperstown bust will depict an Indians cap? I realize that the Hall of Fame gets the final say and that it puts stock into which team had the most memorable moments for the player. Assuming the bad blood with Boston continues, and Manny wants to go in as an Indian, do you really think the Hall will stop him? -- David Kitchen, Avon

Hey, David: Assuming Ramirez gets to the Hall of Fame, I'll bet my Baseball Writers Association of America card he goes in as a Red Sox.

Hey, Hoynsie: Who is the official scorer in Cleveland for Indians games? Did he ever play baseball? Did the Indians' pitchers get on his wrong side? It's no wonder the Tribe's fielding percentage is so good. -- Clifford Harris, Cleveland

Hey, Clifford: There are several official scorers for Indians games, all approved by Major League Baseball. Only one is a baseball writer, but he does not cover the games he scores. From my experience, official scorers work hard to be fair and get the call right.

It's not an easy job, especially when they're badgered by coaches, managers and representatives of their teams because of certain calls. Unfortunately, that happens all too often. The Indians are as guilty as most teams.