Paul Hoynes lets you know what "leveraged" bullpen work means.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: I read your column where manager Manny Acta is mimicking the front office now talking about "leveraged" bullpen work. Is the term distinct to the Indians? What the heck does it mean? -- Annie Walker, Washington, D.C.
A: Hey, Annie: It's a pet phrase for a lot of baseball people on a lot of different teams. It's shop talk for pitching in pressure situations.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: The Indians started the year with an estimated $61 million payroll. Texas and San Diego lead the teams with a lower payroll. Why can't the Indians make better use of their money? -- Phil Criswell, Strongsville
A: Hey, Phil: Three reasons -- Travis Hafner, Kerry Wood and Jake Westbrook. Those three players accounted for more than 50 percent of the Indians' payroll this year. That's no way to run a ballclub.
Wood was on the disabled list twice before being traded. Westbrook missed almost two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He spent much of the first half trying to recapture the ability to pitch before being traded. Hafner could not be traded because of a drastic drop in production and a contract that will pay him $13 million in 2011 and $13 million in 2012.
Those deals made sense when they were negotiated, but injuries and poor performances turned them into millstones, which hurt the Indians payroll flexibility.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Might there be a chance that the Tribe is adopting the Miami Heat model. Stripping the club to bare bones so that it can rebuild through free agency? -- Raymond Drecker, Detroit
A: Hey, Raymond: No, a thousand times no. As long as the Dolan family owns the Indians, they will never rebuild primarily through free agency. It's a risky and expensive venture as the signing of Kerry Wood shows.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Why so few September call-ups considering the quality of our 25-man roster? Is the farm system that bad? Or is it economics so the Indians don't have to pay players big-league salary? -- Jason Stackhouse, Oberlin
A: Hey, Jason: If the Indians were in contention, they would have called up more players in September. There have already been a couple of extra inning games this month where the Indians have been caught short on relievers and bench players.
Four or five more players are expected to be promoted after Class AAA Columbus recently won the Governor's Cup championship against Durham.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: For next year the outfield looks like Shin-Soo Choo, Grady Sizemore, Michael Brantley with Trevor Crowe in reserve. The infield has Matt LaPorta, Asdrubal Cabrera, at first and shortstop, maybe Jason Donald at second and maybe Jayson Nix as a utility guy, but who in the world will play third base? -- Mark Lasher, Bangor, Pa.
A: Hey, Mark: The Indians are going to have to go outside the organization to find a third baseman through trade or free agency to play the position until Lonnie Chisenhall or Jared Goedert are deemed ready. The competition among Jayson Nix, Luis Valbuena and Andy Marte to see if they could play third next year has become an error-fest.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Last year GM Mark Shapiro said that the trades he made would not inhibit the Indians' ability to compete in 2010. Will they finally be rebuilding the 25-man roster this winter? -- Ari Gold, Los Angeles
A: Hey, Ari: I seem to remember that Shapiro said the Indians could compete this year "if everything went right." That did not happen.
Rebuilding-wise, I don't think there's going to be a lot of changes between the end of this season and next year. I would imagine they'll sign a third baseman and a veteran starter. Maybe they'll bring a few veterans on minor-league deals to spring training.
I think the big pieces for rebuilding are in place. Make of that what you will.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: I'm concerned that no quality free agents will entertain offers from the Tribe this winter due to the quality of our team and ownerships' lack of interest in winning. What do you think? -- John Chase III, Cleveland
A: Hey, John: Quality free agents like two things -- money and a chance to win.
Unless it's a special situation, let's say the Indians pursue Jake Westbrook, you won't have to worry about such things. No. 1, I'd be stunned if the Indians made a large expenditure on the free agent market. No. 2, since the Indians aren't going to be competitive next year, a quality free agent is probably going to look elsewhere.
-- Hoynsie