The Cavs had a great win today. Day Two of the NFL draft was completed. There is much more to discuss than Cleveland's journeyman singles-hitting OF, heretofore the RH half of an unspectacular LF platoon. But this may be the start of his last evening in the wigwam.
This is thought to be so not only because he is currently at .176, but also because of somewhat peculiar circumstances surrounding the ballclub.
Foremost of these is the need to create a roster spot for Monday's starting pitcher, LH Aaron Laffey. That could be easily achieved by repeating what has already been established as precedent this weekend. That is, the last guy up could be the first one down.
Ben Francisco was up from Buffalo for less than a full week, promoted when RH Jake Westbrook went out with his intercostal sprain, an ailment that now figures to sideline him for at least four full weeks. Francisco, a fan favorite and arguably the sensation of spring training, performed well, as expected, when utilized but was moved aside when space was needed for Saturday's starter, Jeremy Sowers.
With Saturday's start dispensed with, Sowers was likewise returned to AAA; but not to activate Laffey.
Instead, LH OF Brad Snyder, a former number-one draft pick but already on his last option though today was his big-league debut, was elevated because of yesterday's ankle twist, incurred by star CF Grady Sizemore, whose consecutive games-played streak was thereby ended.
Surely, Snyder could be following Francisco and Sowers with an abrupt about-face to western New York. With Michaels, David Dellucci and Franklin Gutierrez available, the varsity would be satisfactorily covered, even should Sizemore remain unavailable for the finale of the wrap-around weekend series with the Yankees, especially since 3b Casey Blake can also play OF in the event of an in-game injury.
However, this may be the time to make a move with Michaels.
It has been Cleveland's custom to provide its first-time-up minor-leaguers extended exposure to MLB life: the lifestyle, the daily grind, the preparation, the big-city hotels and such. Doing so is thought to mitigate the inevitable nerves that accompany one's eventual emergence in the big-league lineup, should that day ever, indeed, arrive.
Since this other might well be Snyder's final campaign under the Tribe's control, a decision must be made on the Bellevue native, in whom so much has been invested. Perhaps it will be decided now is Brad's time.
After all, not only is J-Mike doing little to justify further investment in him, but enough has been seen of him to know he is not great-shakes, so to say. At 32, he is not going to suddenly get better. And the availability of Francisco, the need to decide upon Snyder and the imminent return of Shin-Soo Choo all argue that Michael's day is rapidly approaching.
Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro is possibly entertaining the prospect of allowing Snyder not only his extended exposure but also an opportunity to job-share RF with Gutierrez, who chronically struggles against RH pitching. Snyder, a Ball State product, has comparably strong defensive skills, above-average running ability, a very respectable throwing arm, longball power and a similar propensity for striking out.
At least until Choo is fully ready to rejoin the club, Snyder might be auditioned as a big-league platooner.
As for Michaels, it would not be expected he'd bring much back in return, but there is probably a role out there for a player of his sort. He is a decent all-around performer with a history of producing off-the-bench, a somewhat rare talent he's displayed in both leagues. He's good in the clubhouse, popular with his teammates, a quality defender, a team-first guy and a proven pinch-hitter. He'll find employment elsewhere.
It is regrettable, in retrospect, that Michaels' roster slot was not instead granted Rule 5 loss Brian Barton, now contributing with StL, who was lost without compensation because the 40-man was fully crowded.
Though none of the system's minor-league clubs is successful this year, at least by the standard of winning percentages, there are some promising young bats that merit auditions, if only because the clock is ticking on their careers, as well. Michael Aubrey, for example, is 26 and still at AA. Jordan Brown is another lefty restricted to 1b and DH for whom space will someday soon need be found.
Michaels, through no fault of his own, represents something of a road block for these kids. This must be the summer Francisco, Choo and Snyder distinguish themselves as keeper parts, if they are to remain with the organization henceforth. Both Ben and Brad are in their final-option summers and Choo's has already been had. What is more, it can reasonably be thought that this will be the final opportunity for the trio (and Dellucci) to convince the front office no outsider(s) must be imported to prop up the batting order.
Therefore, it is quite possible J-Mike is on his way out of town---if not tonight, fairly soon. The time is soon and it may be now.
For that matter, though I do not foresee it, Shapiro may acknowledge that Dellucci's re-established value is as high as it figures to become and that now is as good a time to liquidate him as ever will be. Why that is not anticipated is this lineup cannot dispatch one of the few productive hitters in it.
Rather, Jason Michaels is appearing quite vulnerable at this time.
Read the complete post at http://www.xanga.com/MALeonard/654327121/might-this-be-the-end-of-michaels.html