The Indians' bullpen finished last season strong and there is help coming from the minors. If GM Chris Antonetti has to make a trade, he could deal a reliever or two.
View full sizeJensen Lewis could be shopped around by the Indians, who are pleased with their bullpen depth and are looking for infield help at third base.ORLANDO, Fla. -- Major league baseball is a rich and poor team's game -- except when it comes to building a bullpen.
"It's an area where all 30 teams can compete," said Arizona GM Kevin Towers. "Big market, small market, you should be able to build a good bullpen. I think people are starting to understand that."
Relievers are easier to find than starters, as they need to pitch one or two innings instead of seven or eight. The trick is finding the right combination or arms and what role suits what pitcher best.
Towers certainly built his share of good bullpens as San Diego's general manager out of pitchers thought to be ordinary or less in terms of talent.
"To me, the most important innings of the game are the last two or three," said Towers.
The Indians have had their good and bad moments in bullpen construction over the last several years. Last season started slowly, but improved as the season unfolded. By September, the bullpen was easily the most impressive part of a team that lost 93 games.
In the second half, a pen led by closer Chris Perez along with primarily Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp, Frank Herrmann, Jensen Lewis, Joe Smith and Justin Germano turned in the second-best ERA (2.95) in the American League. Over its last 30 innings, the pen allowed four earned runs.
There are more relievers on the way. Vinnie Pestano, who had a 1.55 ERA and 14 saves at Class AAA Columbus, made his big-league debut. Josh Judy, Zack Putnam and Bryce Stowell are in the pipeline after ending last season at Columbus. Not to mention Nick Hagadone.
"You can never get satisfied, and you can never have enough pitching," said manager Manny Acta. "But we were very happy with our bullpen last season. We're extremely happy with the guys that are knocking on the door, too."
The Indians could use this store of arms to help improve the team. They are looking for a third baseman, starting pitcher, right-handed outfield bat and backup catcher. Last week they signed Lewis and Smith to one-year deals rather than go to arbitration.
The choice for Lewis and Smith was to be non-tendered and join a crowded market of free-agent relievers or take the guaranteed money. If the Indians do make a deal involving relievers, they could be the first to go.
The chances of the Indians leaving the winter meetings Thursday with any of their needs filled is unknown, but things were quiet Monday. GM Chris Antonetti and about 15 or 16 other executives and scouts from the Indians arrived at the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin resort Monday morning.
They've been talking to teams since the end of the season and to free agents since five days after the World Series. There probably aren't too many surprises awaiting them.
"I think there are always some opportunities when you see all these different teams up close," said Acta. "I think it's obvious that we're not going to walk out of here with any of these big names because that's not our plan and our vision right now. But there is a chance that we'll walk out of here with some of our needs being resolved."
When reporters visited Antonetti's hotel suite, Toronto manager John Farrell and executive Tony LaCava were walking out. Farrell and LaCava are former Tribe executives and Antonetti said it was merely a chat, not a meeting.
If the Indians do sign a third baseman, they want to stress defense.
"It's very important for us because our five starters last year, for the most part, were right-handers and sinker-ball pitchers," said Acta. "So you're going to get a lot of ground balls toward the left side of the infield."
That would eliminate free agent Edwin Encarnacion. He hit 21 homers last season for Toronto, but made 18 errors in 95 games at third.
The Indians believe their offense can improve internally with a return to health of Grady Sizemore, Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera.