A Quest Called Tribe

What a shame.  On a day when the a new vigor and strength poured from the Indians like so much strawberry wine, I would have liked to pound out a purely positive piece.  I know the bullpen had to pick up the reigns in the 3rd inning after Jeanmar Gomez's ejection, but it was the 6th by the time Josh Tomlin finished fanning the flames.  Last season, handing the bullpen a three run lead was tantamount to etching the tic mark in the win column.  Tony Sipp is a mess, just a god awful mess (19.29 ERA, 3.43 WHIP, .462 OBA).  For a guy who had a poor spring and has all three options remaining, he is certainly not pitching like someone who wants to keep his job.  As has been mentioned countless times before, Nick Hagadone is ready for the big time.  With such a bevy of left handed pitching stockpiled, the Tribe could have easily moved Sipp (or Raffy Perez, whichever) in the off-season for the quality prospect that is so conspicuously missing for the AA level.  It's not just Sipp either, the entire 'pen has been sloppy.  Despite avoiding their third loss tonight, the aggregate ERA is a ridiculous 6.48.  I understand the concept that it is difficult to rely on individual relievers to consistently produce quality season after season, but the whole staff at once?  This is a nightmare.

Someone commented to me that he appreciated the new "angry Tribe attitude."  You want some leadership?  Captain Jack's got your leadership all the way to the clubhouse.  I agree that it is heartening to see fire in the bellies of a team that had seemed resigned to its role as a mid-market kick-dog (and in spite of woManny Acta, get it woman-Manny), that sort of chip doesn't do any good to shoulders that cannot carry a seven run lead.  

Also, I am concerned about Josh Tomlin.  I saw a comparison to Jeremy Sowers (who has, apparently and quite quietly, retired) earlier in the spring, noting that we have seen how quickly a soft tosser can circle down the drain.  Jamie Moyer notwithstanding, I can see the point.  Even so, Tomlin is running into trouble because he, quite simply, is not hitting his spots.  For a man to whom control is absolutely paramount, he has left far too many pitches in the prime hitting zone.  I'll pick this up again tomorrow when I can see some statistical breakdowns.

All of that being said, thank god for Jarrod Dyson.  I am seriously confused as to how this kid is a Major Leaguer.  It was bad enough for him after the Kipnis ball yesterday and the Brantley triple in today's 3rd.  Then the kid gets caught stealing in the bottom of the 9th on a helluva throw by Carlos Santana.  When Choo got that ball up in the air to center in the 10th, I said aloud "There's no way Dyson's catching this."  True to form, the guy ran dead out, got leather on the ball and nearly broke his face as the ball rattled back onto the outfield grass.  No disrespect brother, but thank you, thank you so much.  This one would have hurt. 

Cheers.

P.s. Jack can't get kicked out anymore (espceially with Jose Lopez at DH), because Jason Donald CANNOT play third.

Oh, yeah.  Break your brooms.