In response to a few recent questions in our new online Tribe mailbag feature, let’s dig into some fan angst regarding Travis Hafner, the Indians left-handed power hitter.
Hafner has been no where near the monster hitter he was a few years ago when he signed a huge contract extension in line with the Indians traditional policy of trying to lock up their young stars early before they reach free agency.
In fact, since signing the contract extension, Hafner has been, well…half himself.
Last season, he endured one of his worst campaigns as a major leaguer, batting .272 in 94 games (missing more time due to injury) with a mere 19 doubles, 16 homers and 49 RBI. His average wouldn’t be bad if his power numbers hadn’t declined so dramatically.
A little background: Despite being in the middle of a sub-par 2007 season, the Indians signed “Pronk” to a four-year, $57 million contract extension to keep him an Indian through 2012.
At the time it seemed to be a really smart move for the future given the numbers Hafner produced at a relatively young age.
However, the following year, Hafner hit just .197 in 57 games with the Tribe, missing a majority of the season with a nagging right shoulder injury that eventually required surgery when it didn’t respond to traditional rest and rehab.
Although a slimmed down Hafner assured everyone he was healthy heading into last season, he ended up still being hampered by the injury bug.
So the question remains: can the Indians can really rely on him in the upcoming season given he is one of their few “stars” remaining along with Gardy Sizemore and perhaps more importantly, is taking up a huge portion of their slashed payroll?
Just about everyone I talk to about Hafner seems to think he’ll get back to being his old self in 2010. But I honestly can’t tell if that’s more hope and general odds than real “gut” feelings.
Hafner is a decent guy, and along with his wife Amy, is very active in Cleveland charities. Many folks, including some in the Indians front office, fans and even local sports writers, WANT him to excel. With so many of the Tribe’s veterans shipped off last season in desperate payroll slashing, he NEEDS to do well.
But is there something a lot of us are missing with Pronk? Is there something we all just don’t want to assume? Given the era we live in, I have a hard time dismissing it – not just with Hafner, with anybody.
So, to answer the question: Was signing Hafner to a long-term deal a smart idea? At the time, absolutely. Is his contract weighing heavily on the Tribe right now given their current state? You betcha.
Regardless of why Hafner has struggled the last few years, if you’re the Indians, what other choice do you have right now? Trading him isn’t an option unless he shows he can hit again. And if he does, the Tribe needs all the offense tey can get. All they can do now is support him, hope he stays healthy and finds a way to turn things around.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Bad deduction. Signing Hafner to the mega-deal at the time was NOT smart at all. He had clearly lost his power stroke and was whiffing at an alarming rate. And he still had another year to go on his deal. There was no urgency at all to extend him. After the beaning incident in 2006, Travis failed to hit a HR in all of ’07 spring training, and the entire first half of 2007 was nightmarish. He ruined the middle of the Tribe’s lineup.
And THAT….T-H-A-T is when Mark Shapiro chose to dole out $54-million in future earnings, guaranteed? I’d say it’s the most irresponsible waste of money Mark’s ever made, but there have been so many others, I hesitate. But certainly, Hafner’s enduring contract and lack of production have hamstrung the Indians for a good half-decade. And it’s all because our GM blinked and pulled the trigger much, much, much too quickly. You don’t pay a DH that kind of money, particularly one who had apparently forgotten how to hit.
You’re wrong to doubt Hafner. Only the true tribe fan who knows his work ethic knows we haven’t heard the last of Pronk. I believe Travis will hit 30 home runs, drive in 100, hit 290, and walk a lot.
Other Tribe surprises to watch for:
Justin Masterson: Winning season, will go deep into games consistantly.
Michael Brantley: He will establish himself as a solid lead-off hitter and defensive asset. Will steal between 25 and 30 bases.
Fausto Carmona: Will re-establish himself as the ace.
Go ahead and jeer, Tribe trashers. Mark my words.
Tribe needs more rose-colored glasses fans like you, Steve. Hope you’re right, but odds are against most of those things happening. Perhaps Acta can bring out the players’ skills in a way that Mr. Regimen couldn’t, though. Wedge thought “he” was a players-manager, but I think we’re about to re-define that term altogether.