Trying to catch up on current events while computer issues remain …

The Indians announced that Eric Wedge would not be back next season, a nice way of saying he’d been fired. This produces a lot of ambivalent feelings.

I’m not as virulently anti-Wedge as many folks seem to be. I don’t get all that upset about things when a really good guy does his best and things just don’t work out. It happens sometimes. I’m big on the quality of the person. It seems that kind of person deserves a lot of leeway – provided his decisions aren’t consistently preposterous.

Wedge made some head-scratchers, yes. Ryan Garko in the outfield. The constant juggling of lineups. Brandon Phillips. The complete regression of guys like Rafael Perez and Fausto Carmona.  The thing that always surprised me was how few moves were made during games, aside from monitoring pitchers. Once the lineup was posted, the game took over. At least that the way it seemed. Wedge didn’t do a lot of bunting, didn’t employ the hit-and-run a lot and didn’t have his guys aggressively running the bases. Yes, this could have easily been a result of the kind of player he had.

When he ha d a full deck, Wedge had two good years in three. That led to a Manager of the Year Award. Two bad years later and he’ll be looking for a job. GM Mark Shapiro and owner/president Paul Dolan both believe Wedge will manage another team soon, and do well. Shapiro even went as far as to say that Wedge probably will be more embraced and appreciated by fans now that he’s gone.

One thing was clear: Had Wedge communicated and expressed himself with the passion and feeling he did on Wednesday, he’d be viewed differently. Wedge was at his best during the farewell news conference; anyone who heard it had to be impressed (Perhaps I’ll try to post a transcript of some of that news conference here later).

One thing that was unfortunate was the way Wedge was judged on his appearance, his personal quirks, his little statements. Grinding. Separating. That kind of thing. The bottom line about the guy was that he worked hard, he cared and he represented the team and city well – and he made sure his players did the same. That matters.

Wedge isn’t made for TV. That’s clear. But if the guy can manage that shouldn’t matter. We always cry about character and that kind of thing, and then a guy who fits the values of a town perfectly comes along we cry because we don’t like his mannerisms. This does not seem completely fair.

The entire scenario about Wedge finishing the season seems a little odd, but that’s Wedge. He wanted to finish, and he believed it was the best thing for his players and the team. That’s actually a pretty admirable trait. And Wedge has a lot of admirable traits.

That being said, there are times when a team simply needs a change, when a new voice is needed. The tone of the news conference Wednesday indicated that Shapiro did not believe that time had arrived, but owners Paul and Larry Dolan did. So the move was made.

The fact that it produces ambivalent feelings might say enough about the situation. You’d like to be passionate about the manager, and Wedge did not produce passion. Not from me at least.

But … he did produce respect, from many quarters. Decry all the moves you like, but Wedge deserves our respect in return. And our thanks for doing everything he could every day to try to make it work. If it doesn’t work because of machinations and manipulations and mind games (like in Berea), that’s one thing. If it just doesn’t work despite honest effort and communication, that’s another.

Wedge is a good man who had a good run. With a new corps of young players coming along, his time simply came due.

Here's some national takes on the Indians trade of Cliff Lee.

General consensus is that though the Indians got some talent, they didn't get enough for the reigning Cy Young winner, whom they traded for the second year in a row.  Ahem.

SI was positive about the trade. "Those four players should quickly help the depleted Indians retool in what has been, along with the NL West, the most mediocre division in baseball in recent years (both of those divisions have placed four different teams in the postseason over the past three years)."

ESPN's Jayson Stark said the Phillies did not even ask about Lee until this week and were surprised at the Indians interest in trading him. That is quite a change from the previous statements that the Indians had to be bowled over to make a trade.  Wrote Stark: "The Indians have done extensive studies of deals like this and found that teams which concentrate on 'big league-ready' prospects as the centerpieces of these trades often make out the worst. Cleveland aims for upside — and it ranked 18-year-old smokeballer Jason Knapp as having the highest ceiling of any arm in the Phillies' system, including (Kyle) Drabek's."

Meanwhile, the Phillies players gave their General Manager a standing ovation when he walked into the clubhouse Wednesday night.

Fox's Gerry Fraley, one of the best baseball writers in the country, wrote: "Ruben Amaro Jr., Philadelphia's rookie general manager, earned the National League executive-of-the-year award Wednesday." He adds: "For Cleveland, Knapp is the key to the deal. Knapp has unharnessed power, but he is also 18 years old and in the low Class A South Atlantic League. Many potential pitfalls await in his development."

And letsgotribe.com offers this about these kind of trades that we in Cleveland have become all too accustomed to seeing: "They work, and nobody in the business does them better than Shapiro.  The Indians have problems, maybe systemic failures, maybe incurable incompetencies.  But this isn't one of them.  There is no question that deals like this have been highly effective for the Indians, even if little else has gone right."

Finally, fangraphs.com states simply: "Sorry Cleveland – you got hosed here. This is just not a good deal for the Indians in any way, shape, or form. Ruben Amaro just cleaned Mark Shapiro’s clock on this trade."

For crying out loud.

The Indians begin what should be one of the more blasé second halfs in recent memory. Last season they could point out that they finished strong and be optimistic. I’m not thinking fans will buy that view this season. I’m going to write about the Indians and Eric Wedge for Sunday’s paper, but suffice it to say that I think it would be extremely difficult – perhaps next to impossible – to bring Wedge back for 2010. The situation is not his fault, but fans have to believe in the team’s direction and leadership to buy tickets, and that’s a big problem because right now the fan support is waning. 

Here’s a sampling of opinions and thoughts on the Indians as they play out the string:

Waitingfornextyear.com asks: “But what if Shapiro does decide to keep Wedge around? Could you imagine? Shapiro has been the darling of the national media throughout the decade, but the bloom is off the rose. It’s time for him to step out of the partnership with Wedge and be his own man. Its the only way he can save face with an eroding fan base in his adopted city of Cleveland.” 

Its position analysis is here and here.  Its starting pitching analysis here, and its bullpen analysis here.

Cleveland Sports Perspectives takes a look by the numbers, including some interesting stuff on Travis Hafner’s slugging percentage.

Anthony Castrovince, who does such a good job for Indians.com, keeps trying to make a less and less compelling story compelling.

And letsgotribe.com has an offbeat view of things, which might be what everyone needs at this point in time.

Mark Shapiro ranks sixth on SI’s list of baseball’s GM’s who are under the microscope. Though it would be hard to fit there, wouldn’t it?

Between an orthodontist appointment for my daughter and driving to the office to meet with the boss, there won't be much time for blogging. But I'll try. And I did notice that Mark Shapiro put to rest any question about Eric Wedge's status with the team this season.

Wedge will remain the manager – and his coaching staff will stay. This is reasonable. I mean, Wedge has a house and his coaching staff does too and people have put down security deposits and things. No need to upset that apple cart.

A few thoughts:

• Is anyone surprised? And can anyone figure why the type-face just changed? Way bothersome for a person as anal as me.
• An interim manager is not going to do anyone any good, or change the fortunes of this team. It is what it is. If the Indians are going to make a change – and it would not be at all surprising if they did after the season because Wedge has been here seven years – it makes sense to take the time to get the right guy rather than the guy who is available at the moment.
• This mess really isn't Wedge's fault. I actually agree with Shapiro when he says that he's responsible for what happened more than Wedge. He's the one who built the bullpen, though I must admit everyone in baseball thought the Indians bullpen would be a strength.
• This team must address three things. First is the lack of development by its young players once they reach the major leagues. The last two years there has been a shocking lack of growth by some young players. Second is the pitching staff. Good luck with that one. The state of pitching in the major leagues is not exactly strong – Shapiro is right when he says 26 teams are searching for pitching – and finding it isn't easy. Third, it must address the high draft picks. Something simply isn't clicking. I'm not naïve enough to think the Indians aren't addressing these things anyway; I just thought I'd put on record what I think. Because that is what a clog is all about, right? Putting down your every thought for the world to see?
• The most disappointing part of this scenario? The Indians have now officially screwed up and put an end to the odd-numbered year thing. No longer are they good in odd-numbered years.

It's hard to believe what happened to this team since Game 5 of the ALCS two years ago, but it's happened. Solving it won't be easy either. Off to the orthodontist …

A pretty in-depth study of the Indians blames the team's woes this season on poor pitching and high draft picks that missed. Then it states: "The (Mark) Shapiro-(Chris) Antonetti tandem gets more love from national media outlets than, say, White Sox GM Kenny Williams, who is perceived as arrogant and overly blunt. Is it because the Cleveland guys are media favorites? Perhaps. But their front office peers also regard Shapiro and Antonetti as extremely bright, people-oriented, innovative thinkers."

I listened to an interview with Indians GM Mark Shapiro on tape – gimme a break, I was on a plane back from Atlanta as he was sitting in the dugout – and it struck me that the team really does not believe it has a lot of options to change things. I don't know why it would be surprising, really. Teams are built in the offseason, and the Indians don't have the financial wherewithal to add a big-salary player during the season. Not without subtracting some money, which I guess could happen given teams are lined up around the block to chery-pick the Indians roster.

Alas, we digress.

Among Shapiro's statements: "We're not going to turn the whole team over. It's just not going to happen."

And: "We just don't have those guys in AAA who are ready to help us (in the bullpen)."

And: "I think the Aaron Laffey move is indicative of the kind of thinking that we're going to have to display."

That in itself says a lot. Making a starting pitcher into a reliever, even temporarily, isn't reinventing the baseball. It's a move based on need, and it can succeed if the guy who takes the starter's place succeeds. So far, Jeremy Sowers has struggled.

The Indians continue to state that the team as built can succeed.

"Our players need to perform and execute closer to what they've done in their career," Shapiro said.

The bullpen remains the major problem, but Shapiro said he believes the team will score runs and the starting pitching will improve. Which means he believes if the bullpen gets straightened out the team can right itself.

Shapiro even said that he thinks the team as built still can contend in its division.

"In light of our division, yes," he said. "If we had to dig out and win 95 games, we may have dug ourselves a hole that was almost impossible to get out of. We're one good stretch of baseball from being back into it."

The problem is that good stretch of baseball remains an elusive reality, and if that good stretch comes later in the summer then it's too late and the season is just another exercise in "well we finished strong."

Which is getting a little bit hollow.

Oh … Shapiro sounded like firing Eric Wedge is not under consideration, saying: "Right now the answers I feel are here, with Eric (Wedge), with this coaching staff and with our players."

Other Shapiro statements that struck me:

The biggest blows were the struggles of Rafael Perez and the injury to Joe Smith: "That (bullpen) situation is what it is. We have to figure a way out of it. We can't just throw up our hands."

On Grady Sizemore: "He's a great player going through a tough time. … This guy's going to work hard, this guy's going to get out of it. We need him to be better, but I'm not worried about the guy at all."

On the team's perceived lack of leadership: "This isn't football. … Leadership is the way guys play the game, the way they prepare, they way they treat each other, the way they respect the game and play.  When you win it looks like they're leaders. When you lose it looks like you're searching for who's going to step up. When you struggle all at once, you wonder if there's leadership in the room. We have character in the room."

On the slow starts: "What's troubling is that it seems to happen here in April every year. We think we do have some things we need to do differently in spring training. Obviously, we won't say what they are. They are things we need to address so we don't dig this hole every year."

On Wedge saying he's responsible for the slow start: "Accountability lies with me, solely. Responsibility is shared. Responsibility doesn't lie with one person."

Noticed from afar that the Indians are 11-21. That would not seem to be good.

Let's do the math. The Indians have lost nearly twice as many as they've won, and if they want to win 90 games they'll have to finish the season 79-51. That's 28 games over .500, and a .607 pace. It can be done, I guess. But last season, one team — the Los Angeles Dodgers — finished with a won-lost percentage better than .607. Silver lining: Many thought 86 games might win the division, so that means the Indians only need to go 75-55. Hoo hoo.

So far the Indians have tried a lot of moves to make things work. None have worked. This weekend the players backed manager Eric Wedge. All that's left, really, is the vote of confidence.

To scapegoat Wedge for this fiasco is probably not fair. Clearly, it's not all his fault.

But … at some point in every struggling team's existence the manager takes the fall, be it deserved or not. At some point the losses might become too much, and some kind of move might be necessary just to change the chemistry and the approach.

Nobody knows when that point will come — and personally I'd be shocked if Wedge were fired given how close he and GM Mark Shapior are — but the questions become: At what point does everything add up to a manager being fired? And if Wedge is fired, who replaces him?

Two years ago Wedge was the AL Manager of the Year. He's not gotten stupid in two years, but his team is not playing well either. And it comes on the heels of 2008, when another bad start relegated the Indians to "playing for pride" most of the second half. Poor Aprils have become a trend, and the inconsistency of the bullpen from year to year is maddening.

That being said, Wedge didn't solely pick the starting rotation, didn't solely pick the bullpen, didn't solely pick the every-day players either. Two years ago the Indians looked to be a team on the rise, with plenty of young , talented hitters. Now they look  slow, plodding, and are playing as if they were all overrated.

Grady Sizemore is the least of the Indians problems, but he's hitting .227. He's struck out 36 times, which ranks him third in the American League. Third. Silver lining: Jhonny Peralta has struck out fewer times. He's fourth in the AL with 34. I know Sizemore has talent and he gets on base a lot, but he seems emblematic of things to me: How in the world can a guy touted by so many to be so good (remember that SI cover) be hitting .227 with 36 strikeouts?

Let's be honest … at some point these players have to live up to expectations, or it's time to really and truly start over with the roster. And it's appearing that the re-start is rising on the horizon.

Whether that re-start includes Wedge depends on how the Indians front office views the troubles, whether they feel a change in approach might change the chemistry and change the results. A new manager isn't going to add speed or make players what they're not, but a new approach can be a spark. A managerial could happen, but I'd be surprised if it does happen.

Firing a manager is not a pleasant topic, but it's also part of baseball. If Mike Hargrove could get fired by the Indians, anyone can. It's just hard to fathom this team being 11-21 after starting the season with what seemed like legitimately high hopes.

Indians GM Mark Shapiro just concluded a conference call with local media. Shapiro has been a strong proponent of replay, especially as it relates to home runs, and he said the umpires got the call right when they ruled Jorge Posada's ball went into the stands in New York on Sunday.

Between stating that the Indians need to get their bullpen and starting pitching working consistently together, Shapiro said he saw a TV angle of Posada's ball that clearly showed it going over Trevor Crowe's glove and into the stands. The feed came from the Yankees (YES) network.

"I can understand the umpire's ruling," Shapiro said.

He saw the replay today; it came from a camera in center field pointed down the fence toward right field. Indians Fans saw only a replay from SportsTime Ohio using a camera that pointed toward the outfield, and it did not show the ball clearly.

So … I guess I sit corrected regarding the umpires' call on that home run. It did go into the stands first.

Shapiro added that that call did not lose the game, and blaming the loss on the home run would be an "excuse."

Among Shapiro's other statements:

—The bullpen has been a problem in the early stages: "We have a multitude of guys in our bullpen who have not contributed positively. After Kerry Wood it's been marginal to poor performance from everyone else."

—Manager Eric Wedge has studied and pondered why the team gets off to slow starts.  Wedge and Shapiro spent a good amount of time on Saturday discussing the April record, and their focus was on teams with the same market size and payroll. Wedge already has decided on some changes for next year's spring training.

—The schedule, which called for 11 games in a row following a day off on the second day of the season, did not help the pitching staff.

—The starting rotation's struggles early put a "huge burden on the bullpen." Add no off days and poor performance and things "just snowballed."

—Shapiro said Wedge's strengths are more evident when times are difficult. "Particularly behind the scenes and internally."

—On the team's hitting, he said: "I think we lead the American League in runs scored." Toronto has 87 runs in 14 games, the Indians 83 in 13. Toronto's per-game average is 6.2 and the Indians is 6.4.

Shapiro's key point: "Over the last eight games, we're trending better. We need to put things together more consistently. If we do that we're in the thick of things."

While the Browns go all over the country in search of a coach and/or General Manager – yes, Mike Shanahan will be investigated – the Indians made another one of those very quiet, intelligent moves that produce winning teams.

The acquisition of Mark DeRosa fills a need at third base, gives the Indians an option at second base and provides depth in the outfield. He's Casey Blake, but better.  DeRosa is not a superstar, but he is a very good, solid player. He hit 21 home runs last season, drove in 87 and scored more than 100. His presence rounds out an infield that will keep Jhonny Peralta at short – which is good – and Asdrubal Cabrera at second base.

GM Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge will speak on this later, and Sheldon Ocker will write tomorrow's story for the Beacon Journal, but this is a very good trade. It keeps Peralta at short, where he belongs. Peralta is not a great defensive shortstop, no, but he also does not have the quickness and instincts a third baseman needs. He's better where he is, but now the Indians have the wherewithal to make a move if need be. And they have Luis Valbuena and Josh Barfield in the mix as well.

DeRosa could be a free agent after the season, but an extension is not unrealistic. Too, the Indians have Wes Hodges in the minor leagues. If he's ready, DeRosa would be a one-year move. If DeRosa likes it here — and what former Penn quarterback would want to leave? — the Indians can re-sign him. The best thing: The Indians gave up three prospects to acquire DeRosa. They did not have to give up anyone in the major leagues.

This offseaon Mark Shapiro has signed a free agent closer, further strengthened the bullpen with Joe Smith and now added DeRosa. The only major leaguer lost was Franklin Gutierrez, who can't hit a breaking ball.

Makes a guy wonder: How the heck does Shapiro pull this stuff off?

Regarding the Browns …

Eric Mangini has emerged as a more-than-viable candidate to take over as coach. I believe that Randy Lerner and the team's new GM – likely Scott Pioli – will have to do a real "sell job" to convince the fans that Mangini is a clear and exciting step forward.

Now … he may be. There are many people I've talked to who say that Mangini deserves the kudos he gets behind the scenes. That he is smart, organized, efficient and a very good coach. That he articulates a long-term plan well, that he would be a much different coach than Romeo Crennel.

This may be true, but the public perception at the moment is that Mangini is "Romeo Light." That is to say another member of the Bill Belichick tree, a former Belichick assistant who rose to be defensive coordinator under Belichick before leaving. Sort of like Crennel.

Too, the Belichick tree has not exactly set the world on fire, so folks wonder if Mangini will be any different. I've heard many people ask: What's the difference between Pioli-Mangini and Savage-Crennel?

Personalities, for one, but that has to be explained. Scott Pioli is not Phil Savage, and Mangini has been described as a far different personality and communicator than Crennel. Still, people wonder. Mangini may be a very good coach, but he doesn't seem to have the fan base excited. Thus, the "sell job."

Mangini had two winning seasons in three in New York, though in the first he had a very easy schedule. This season the team fell apart down the stretch when a playoff spot was well within reach.

Though Mangini continues to be a viable candidate, the Browns will look into Mike Shanahan. How can they pass him up? Shanahan, though, might fall in the Bill Cowher-mold of a guy who wants a lot of power and responsibility, which might not mesh well with a Scott Pioli.

Then again, the Jets role in turning the Patriots in to the league office for "Spygate" remains one of the great unanswered questions in this chess game. That is, is Pioli still angry with the Jets and Mangini for turning in the Patriots?

The status of Rich McKay as a possible front office hire is a bit uncertain. The Browns were interested, but Pioli remains the preferred choice.

All these permutations could cause a headache. The Browns will continue to interview candidates, including a couple minority coaches as well as Steve Spagnulo of the Giants and Jim Schwartz of the Titans. Both are defensive coordinators. Things could move fast, but at this point it seems like the team will take more time investigating its candidates.

Shanahan could emerge, but personally I'd be surprised.  Right now, at the first turn, Mangini seems to have a lead. But the race is far from over.