Rock Bottom

I don't know how it gets any worse than this.  The Indians dropped the final two games of a weekend set with the Astros by an aggregate score of 15-2.  The bullpen has imploded down to three consistent performers, none of which are left handed (Nick Hagadone: 19.80 ERA, .423 OBA, 3 HR in his last 7 games).  Speaking of left-handed, the two starters that stymied the Tribe?  Yup, both left handed.  JA Happ used to be a big time prospect and was part of the package that allowed the Phillies to snare Roy Oswalt from Houston, but he has never lived up to his promise.  In fact, over the past two seasons, Happ is 12-22 with a 5.17 ERA.  Saturday's starter, Dallas Keuchel (they'll love him in Texas), is an unheralded former 7th round pick who has a career minor league record under .500.  Still, he needed just 108 pitches to shut down the Indians on six hits in his very second Major League.  The Tribe is now an abysmal 5-15 against left-handed starters and bat .215 as a team against southpaws.  We're all aware that the team does not start any right-handed hitters on a regular basis.  That's not the essential problem.  Rather, and I am getting good and sick of saying this, there is no depth on the big league roster.  I challenge you to find a less productive hitter than Aaron Cunningham that has been on the active roster since Opening Day.  I dare you to find another player that still leads him team in starts at a position and has batted lower than Shelley Duncan's .134 since May 1.  And I double dog dare you to dig up a guy who has hit cleanup for his team at least 12 times in 2012 and posted a lower OPS overall (.630) or in that spot (.501) than Jose Lopez.  Hey, don't forget about his slugging percentages, .369 and .265 respectively.

I don't know what else to say.  Kevin Youkilis is off the market, traded with a dump truck full off cash to those forkin' White Sox for a pitcher (Zach Stewart) who has an MLB ERA of about 6.00 and a 28 year old utility guy (Brent Lillibridge) who does a better job imitating Dumbo than squaring up a 4-seam fastball.  That's my long winded way of saying that the Indians could have had Youk had they wanted him.  Let's hope that Kevin's numbers away from Fenway over the past two seasons (.191, .645 OPS) hold true and he becomes a liability for the ChiSox rather than an asset.  Regardless, there is one less right handed bat on the market, which will raise the already hefty price tags on those who remain.

I could keep telling you the same things, like Jeanmar Gomez needs to be demoted or a radical move needs to be made to get a consistent reliever onto the roster or that Slater demeans the entire grand history of the game every time he laces up his cleats, but you know all of that already.  If losing 2 of 3 to Houston isn't a loud enough wake up call for Idionetti and woManny then I would be willing to forfeit the remainder of the season in exchange for their simultaneous dismissal. 

Oh, good, here come the Yankees...

Roll Tribe.

Cheers.

P.s.  Scott Barnes has been promoted again and will join the Tribe in the Bronx this evening.  The corresponding demotion has not been announced.  My guess: Gomez.

P.p.s.  'Tis official, Jeanmar has been sent down.