Gerut traded
A smart and good man was shown the door today as the Indians made their second trade of the season.
I was always skeptical about Jody Gerut. I liked his effort and enthusiasm, but wondered if his first season was a fluke. Jody led the Indians in 2003 with 22 homers and 75 runs batted in, but I had to ask if he was more than a bench player who had a great first year before pitchers adjusted to him.
My negativity about the Indians at that time was pretty strong -- I referred to Gerut as "Listache" to friends, thinking him little more than a one-year wonder.
His power numbers dropped last season,as the lefty managed 11 homers.
Towards the end of last season, he suffered a major injury and missed the first several weeks of 2005.
He leaves the team hitting .275, but has played only occasionally and has not hit for any power (one homer). While originally critical of Gerut, I recently became one of his biggest supporters. This happened when I realized the alternative to Gerut was Casey Blake.
Good luck with the Cubs, Jody.
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Gerut's replacement is Jason Dubois, who is hitting .239 with seven homers. Like Blake, he is a right handed hitter. He has driven in 22 runs, just seven fewer than the Indians starter, but in far fewer games.
Indians GM Mark Shapiro is said to be high on Dubois because of his strong run production in the minor leagues.
The deal means that the Indians bench consists of right handed utility man Jose Hernandez, switch-hitting infielder Brandon Phillips, catcher and switch-hitter Josh Bard, and Dubois.
Of course, Dubois could come in and start in right, but that would mean Blake or Boone to the bench, which is something the Indians have refused to accept so far.
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Can someone explain to me how Laz Diaz, who's the home plate umpire, has a better view of a play at first than the first base umpire, Dana DeMuth? Lou Pinella's outburst was hilarious, but completely justified.