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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's over.

That's how the Indians must look at this season. Dreams of contention are done, and the same should be true for players who won't be back next season.

So it makes no sense to play Travis Hafner and his sore back, even if he somehow recovers from his ninth trip to the disabled list. Hafner is 35. His $13 million contract for 2013 has a $2.5 million buyout. Just write the check, and wish Hafner the best. He can end the season on the DL, but there is no reason for him to be on the field.

It's over, even if Hafner was willing to play for the MLB minimum next season. The Indians don't need a full-time DH who can play only part-time because of injuries.

The same with Grady Sizemore. Even if it seems he's recovered from his various injuries to try and play this season, don't do it.

It's not the fault of Hafner or Sizemore, They didn't want to get hurt. But the team has been waiting for these guys to play -- for years. The wait should be over, and the franchise needs to move on to someone else.

Remember, this year should be about next year. So it's time to promote Matt LaPorta (.272, 19 HR, 56 RBI) from Class AAA and give him six weeks to show something.

I know, he's hitting only .194 with two homers since the All-Star break at Columbus, but he's been in the town long enough over four years to run for mayor. He had a hot start this season and wasn't brought up. It's possible he has been battling the International League blues. Give him one more look.

Shelley Duncan (.210, 10 HR, 27 RBI) will be 33 at the end of September. He is a career .231 hitter in the majors, and that's not about to change. Duncan is a good guy who cares deeply about the game -- but he has huge holes in his swing and is a liability in the field. It makes more sense for LaPorta to receive those at-bats, and this is a move that could have been made weeks ago.

LaPorta's grandmother died, and he has left the Clippers to attend the funeral. I hear he could be in Cleveland when he returns.

The reason LaPorta opened the season at Columbus is because the Tribe signed Casey Kotchman to a 1-year, $3 million contract. The idea was to put an elite glove at first base (which Kotchman has) and hope he hits (which he didn't). Kotchman is batting .226 with 10 homers. The Indians should be on the phone, seeing if any contender need a defensive replacement for first base. Or perhaps, they could release him and allow him to sign with a team that would want him for the bench.

I know, the Indians let go of Kotchman and he hits .300 for another team. Look at how Derek Lowe picked up a save for the Yankees with four scoreless innings against Texas Monday night. Well, good for the 39-year-old Lowe.

Rather than move Lowe to the bullpen, the Indians released him and gave the spot to young Cody Allen -- who has been terrific. The Indians need to look at Corey Kluber and Roberto Hernandez in the rotation. Hernandez is key because the Tribe has a $6 million option for next season, and they do need starting pitching.

The Tribe can replace Kotchman with Russ Canzler (.263, 17 HR, 62 RBI). He was the 2011 Intentional League MVP, and at 26 is either a prospect or he's not. The Tribe saw a reason to trade for him over the winter.

The point is, there is no reason to bring Hafner or Sizemore back this season. Or for Duncan and Kotchman to remain in the lineup.

If the Indians don't want LaPorta and/or Canzler, they can summon Tim Fedroff (.337, 7 HR, 22 RBI) or Jared Goedert (.292, 10 HR, 47 RBI) from Columbus. Unfortunately for Goedert, he's in a horrible 3-of-37 slump with 15 strikeouts in the last 10 games.

Jeanmar Gomez (6-2, 2.59 ERA at Class AAA) can join the team, either as a starter or long relief.

The Indians don't have many prospects at Class AAA, but they should take the remaining games to see if they have any.