News
Garko could be next on the trade block
Cleveland (38-58) at Seattle (51-44), 10:10 p.m. ET
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
07/23/09 7:42 PM ET
TORONTO -- The purge of players who do not fit the Indians' long-term plans began last month, when Mark DeRosa was shipped to the Cardinals. It continued Thursday, when Rafael Betancourt was moved to the Rockies. And as the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline looms, first baseman Ryan Garko has to wonder if he'll be next. Garko has been getting more frequent playing time in recent weeks for the Indians, who open a three-game set in Seattle on Friday night. But his 2009 season has been an adjustment period, as the Tribe's regular use of two catchers -- with Victor Martinez moving to first on the days Kelly Shoppach starts -- has cut into Garko's playing time. Predictably, Garko has fared better at the plate of late. With Shoppach struggling, Garko has spent less time on the bench and more time on the field. He's reached safely in 18 of his past 20 games and batted .349 (22-for-63) over his past 18 games. "Anybody who gets the opportunity to play more consistent has a better chance to produce," Garko said. But it's not a given that the opportunity will exist with the Indians beyond this season. The club has its top position player prospect, Matt LaPorta, getting regular time at first base at Triple-A Columbus. And Martinez, as long as he's with the club, will continue to see time at first, as well. If Garko was making the Major League minimum or something close to it, his position on the active roster would not be much of an issue. But that won't be the case beyond 2009. Garko is entering arbitration-eligibility this winter, and if you look at his comparables around the league, he's in line for a hefty raise. It appears he could certainly command more than the $1.95 million Shoppach received in arbitration last year. Garko has proven to be an effective run producer when he plays consistently (he drove in a team-high 91 runs last year), but his slugging percentage is what it is, and the Indians have never seemed enamored with him as a regular. "You never know what's going to happen," he said. "[Trade speculation] is out there. You just have to go out and play hard and put the blinders on." Garko, however, is not blind to his standing in the organization. A season in which he was relegated to a bench role out of the gate has delivered the message. "It's been tough for both Kelly and I," he said. "We had a lot of playing time last year, and it's hard to just split at-bats in half and expect the same production." Pitching matchupCLE: LHP Aaron Laffey (3-2, 4.27 ERA)
Laffey, making his second start since his return from a right oblique strain, settled down after a rough first inning against the Mariners on Sunday. He gave up three runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts in six innings. In this outing, he'll have to make adjustments against a Seattle lineup that now knows him well. SEA: LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Rowland-Smith has been called up from Triple-A Tacoma to make his second start of the season. Manager Don Wakamatsu is happy with the progress of the 26-year-old, whose numbers rapidly progressed over his few outings in the Minors. Rowland-Smith has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen for Seattle over the last few years, including a 5-3 record and 3.42 ERA in 47 games (12 starts, two saves) in 2008. There seems to be a rotation spot for the taking if Rowland-Smith can answer the call. Tidbits
With Thursday's win, the Indians earned a split of the season series with the Blue Jays. They have not lost a season series to the Jays since 2003. ... David Huff has allowed a homer in nine of his 13 starts. He's 5-2 over his past nine starts. ... Grady Sizemore snapped an 0-for-18 skid with a single in the ninth inning Thursday. ... It will be Franklin Gutierrez bobblehead night at Safeco Field on Friday. The Indians traded Gutierrez to the M's over the winter. ... For more information and analysis of all things Tribe, visit the CastroTurf blog.
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• Saturday: Indians (Jeremy Sowers, 2-7, 5.77) at Mariners (Erik Bedard, 5-2, 2.70), 4:10 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Indians (Cliff Lee, 6-9, 3.17) at Mariners (TBD), 4:10 p.m. ET
• Monday: Indians (Carl Pavano, 8-8, 5.48) at Angels (Joe Saunders, 8-6, 4.94), 10:05 p.m. ET
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
