Let’s start with reasons to watch:

1. Jeanmar Gomez.
I don’t care what Ed says, I’m excited about this kid. No, he doesn’t light up the radar gun or make hitters look foolish with a Bugs Bunny curveball. He does, however, do one very important thing: he gets outs. Through five starts he is 3-1 with a 1.84 ERA and a nice 1.16 WHIP. Last year at Akron he pitched a perfect game and between the Aeros and Clippers had 12 wins and a 3.30 ERA. The numbers don’t lie, and one number I particularly like is his age. Gomez is only 22 years old and has already shown the aptitude to make the necessary adjustments as he moves up. I know that Scott Lewis put up similar numbers and now isn’t even with the organization anymore. I’m not saying to bet all your chips on Jeanmar, but he’s definitely worth taking a look at.

2. Position Battles.
The reason why I say this is a reason to watch is that usually the competition for a position brings out the best in a player, and I hope this is the case for the remainder of the season. There are a few positions that are locked up, such as shortstop (Cabrera), right field (Choo, as long as he doesn’t get sent back to Korea), and catcher (Santana). Other than that, pretty much every position is wide open, and yes I am including center field. Michael Brantley has made the tweaks he needs and shown that he is a definite option in center. Trevor Crowe has looked great at times, though I think he is most likely to be the fourth outfielder next year if Grady is healthy. Personally, I think Sizemore’s future is in left field, but that is a subject that will require its own post.

On the infield, first base is more than likely Matt LaPorta’s job to lose, and it should be. He has shown flashes of the mashing that attracted Mark Shapiro, and I think there is plenty more to come with this year under his belt. Jason Donald may be the answer at second, but his role will probably be as a utility man with two good looking prospects in Cord Phelps and Jason Kipnis awaiting their opportunities. Third base is a black hole. Jayson Nix strikes out way too much and is a below average fielder, Andy Marte (sorry, Ed) is just too inconsistent, and I don’t think Luis Valbuena should be on a Major League roster ever for any reason, as I have made quite obvious. Again, there are two prospects (Jared Goedert and Lonnie Chisenhall) licking their chops in the minors.

3. If/when it gets better, it will be that much sweeter.
This is simply a “better by comparison” kind of way of looking at things. Not too complicated. When the Indians get back to their winning ways, we will appreciate it that much more after having suffered through these lean years. Maybe this is just me being a blind optimist, but hey, I’m okay with that.

And to quickly answer some of these questions (at least in my opinion)…

Manny Acta won’t use these games wisely, he hasn’t done anything wisely all year. Yes, LaPorta and Brantley have a future in this league. Marte and Nix are not options at third. Donald is fine as a utility man, I wouldn’t even trust Valbuena as a fry cook. I have nothing to say (a rarity) about the bullpen. Talbot and Gomez deserve a spot in the rotation, Masterson is doomed to the bullpen, the jury is still out on Tomlin.

Assuming I’m right (I always do) about these things, 2011 will be a much better year. Until then, just keep gritting your teeth Tribe fans, there are bluer skies ahead.

Yes, his numbers are sparkling through four starts: 1.54 ERA, 23.1 IP, 12K and a WHIP of 1.07. Yes, he’s only 22 and has shown a lot of poise in this young major league career.

Still, I’m not buying that he’s going to be anything better than a 4th or 5th starter the rest of his career.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d take the Indians developing any kind of consistent starting pitching of their own. But despite this recent outburst, I don’t think we’re going to see Gomez mature into an ace. Which is not to say he couldn’t be a useful ML pitcher. I just don’t think he’s going to be a stud.

Before you start calling me Debbie Downer, I’d like to point out the 2008 season of former Indians pitcher Scott Lewis.

2.63 ERA, 24 IP, 15 K, 1.08 WHIP

Admittedly, Gomez’s numbers are better, and he isn’t pitching against September call-ups. But keep in mind that four starts is not a good sample size to start projecting how a kid’s career will be. Lewis posted that awesome September, earned himself a rotation spot, got hurt, and was released this year. He’s apparently out of baseball, yet he posted one of the greatest months an Indians rookie pitcher ever had.

All I’m saying is that it’s too early to get worked up about Jeanmar Gomez. Let’s see how he pitches the rest of the year before we start relying on him to be in the team’s plans.

Something is wrong with Grady Sizemore.

I don’t know what it is that’s wrong with him, but it’s clearly bothering him and he’s digging himself even further into his slump. In 31 games Sizemore has a misrable .270 OBP and is displaying none of the power he was known for. It’s clearly a cause for concern among Tribe fans but the Indians seem to be keeping quiet about it (either through ignorance or through a gag order), perfering to let Sizemore work though his problems because, well, what else are they going to do? Besides, his error last night aside, it’s not like he’s killing you on defense.

Justin Masterson is NOT a starter.

Let’s not mince words. Masterson has been woefully underwhelming as starting pitcher for the Indians (5.92 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, opponents are hitting .312 off him). Yes, he does have 43 strikeouts, but eventually you have to wonder when the Indians will say enough is enough. Fortunately for Masterson, he apparently has all the time in the world with David Huff struggling since his complete game and Aaron Laffey being the only consistent reliever (along with Tony Sipp) in the pen. The Indians are reluctant to make a quick move with Masterson and he’ll continue to be given every chance to turn things around as a starter.

It’s time to cut ties with Raffy Perez.

Perez has gone from being my favorite Indian during the 2007 and 2008 seasons to a total waste of a roster spot. He’s allowed 18 hits in less than 10 IP, for an ungodly 2.59 WHIP. He really should have been designated for assignment when the Indians brought back Kerry Wood, as Jensen Lewis was pitching well. Unfortunately for Lewis, Jensen has options and Perez doesn’t. The Tribe is terrified of giving up on Perez and having him regain his dominant form. At this point, let him go. If he regains his form, good for him. It isn’t going to happen in Cleveland, and you can’t say you didn’t give the guy a chance to redeem himself.

Luis Valbuena is not the answer this season at second base.

Calling Valbuena’s season rocky is being kind. He’s got an OBP of .299 and an OPS of  .577 in 25 games this season, and his defense has been questionable at second base. While there’s no need to get rid of Valbuena completely (as he has options left), it’s clear that for both his sake, the team’s sake, and the fans’ sake, he needs to be send down to Columbus and Jason Donald needs to be given a shot. Such a move would probably slide Asdrubal Cabrera back to second base, but I’m ok with this as long as Donald is defending well. It’s a move that should be done sooner rather than later before Valbuena is ruined.

Some minor matters to get in to, my boy Andy Marte was placed on the DL with a non-baseball medical issue. I have no idea what’s going on, as soon as I do I can let you know. OF Trevor Crowe was recalled to take his spot. Also, LHP Scott Lewis, who started on Opening Day at Progressive Field in 2009, has been released. He was pitching at Columbus and had been dealing with elbow issues.