NEW YORK -- DeMarlo Hale is not one of the Flying Wallendas, but he’s been doing quite the balancing act since being named the Indians’ acting manager when Terry Francona stepped aside on July 29 to have surgery on his left hip and foot.
The move came when the Indians traded their few remaining veterans before the July 30 deadline, thus removing themselves from serious postseason consideration and resetting the season as one long on-ramp to 2022.
When the Indians opened this six-game trip against the Twins and Yankees -- their second-to-last trip of the season -- Hale was asked for a big picture description of what his goals are for the final days of the season.
“There are a number of ways you can look at it,” Hale said. “Sitting in this chair I never want to lose sight that we’re out here trying to win ballgames. Trying to put players in position so they can have some success and win games. That’s No. 1.
“No. 2, we want to see the reactions of players when they play. The second base situation, you’ve seen multiple people at second base. We want to try and give Yu Chang a few more at-bats at first base going down the stretch here.
“You’re looking at catcher Roberto Perez and his health, along with Austin Hedges, down the stretch. Part of it is to keep them healthy and end the season on a good note. But don’t lose sight that you’re trying to be competitive and win games. That’s the balance I have to maneuver.”
The Indians are 71-73 overall and 21-24 under Hale. They trail the first place White Sox by 11 1/2 games in the AL Central and are nearing elimination. Chicago’s magic number to clinch is seven over the Indians. In the wild card race, they are 10 games out of the second spot with 18 games to play.
Cosmetically, winning is still important. If the Indians end the year with a winning record, it would give them nine straight winning seasons since Francona was named manager for the 2013 season. But what the front office has asked Hale to do is get as good read as possible on who can and can’t play in preparation for 2022.
When Rule 5 rookie Trevor Stephan relieved Logan Allen in the fourth inning Tuesday night in the second game of a doubleheader in a one-run game, that’s why. Usually a situation like that would call for one of the Indians’ more experienced relievers, but the Indians want to find out how Stephan does in leverage situations. The same goes for Sam Hentges, another rookie.
In the first game of that doubleheader, Chang had a key pinch-hit single in the seventh and final inning of a 3-1 win. Another two-pronged situation where Chang was trying to add an insurance run, while the Indians were evaluating how he did in a clutch situation.
There have been some success stories. Cal Quantrill has come out of the bullpen and become a frontline starter with Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac injured for long stretches. Ditto for Triston McKenzie, who has stopped walking people to the tune of nine quality starts in his last 11 outings. Closer Emmanuel Clase had some shaky moments early in the season, but right now is in the running for AL Rookie of the Year with 23 saves in 27 chances. Shortstop Amed Rosario, currently on the family emergency list, leads the team in batting average and hits.
But there is still work to do and decisions to make.
Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, says final decisions won’t be made based on these last 18 games. But in the big leagues everything a player does on the field is recorded, dissected and examined.
The outfield, with the exception of center fielder Myles Straw, has produced more questions than answers. Will Bradley Zimmer, Harold Ramirez, Daniel Johnson, Oscar Mercado and Josh Naylor be back next year? Or will prospect George Valera take one of their spots on the 40-man roster when it has to be submitted in November before December’s Rule 5 draft?
Second base has been a mystery ever since Cesar Hernandez was traded to the White Sox. Chang, Ernie Clement, Andres Gimenez and Owen Miller have all played there, but no one lit the position on fire. The Indians have several middle infielders eligible for the Rule 5 draft and can only be protected by joining the 40-man roster.
Hale has been rotating players in the outfield and second base. It’s not ideal -- players need everyday at-bats to be at their best, but it’s an opportunity and right now that’s as good as it gets.
For the second straight year, Perez’s season behind the plate has been marred with injuries. He was activated for this trip, but how much he’ll play between now and the end of the season is unknown. The Indians hold a $7 million club option on the two-time Gold Glove winner. If they don’t exercise it at the end of this season, he’ll become a free agent after spending 13 seasons in the organization.
Next: RHP Zach Plesac (10-5, 4.45) opens a three-game series against the Yankees on Friday night at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will start RHP Corey Kluber (4-3, 4.02), the former two-time Cy Young winner, for the 7:05 p.m. game. Bally Sports Great Lakes, WTAM, WMMS and the Indians radio network will carry the game.
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