Detroit Tigers 5, Cleveland Indians 1

Carlos Santana (center) has played well enough at first base to allow Nick Swisher to be the DH. Santana also won a game in Detroit Saturday with a base-loaded double in the ninth inning.

(AP)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Tribe notebook:

1. You'll hear all the debate about the Tribe being "buyers" or "sellers" as the trading deadline looms at the end of July. Will they dump some of their better players or prospects, or actually add significant payroll? The answer to both questions is probably -- NO! They probably will not make any major moves.

2. It would be a shock if they added any high-priced talent. One of their concerns is that they have Nick Swisher becoming a full-time DH with 2 1/2 years at $15 million annually left on his contract. Michael Bourn is battling a bad hamstring, and he has 2 1/2 years and $14 million annually remaining. Neither has any trade value.

3. Swisher (.209, 8 HR, 40 RBI) has finally started to hit, belting three homers with 15 RBI in July. His June batting average was .122 (6-of-52). This month, it's .274 (.765 OPS). Part of the reason the Tribe has an 11-5 record in July is Swisher producing.

4. Swisher spent some time on the disabled list in June with "knee hypertension." Perhaps the grumpy knees (yes, both bothered him) is why he went from a decent first baseman to horrible. Or else, he simply wasn't paying attention. Either way, his defense was deplorable. And he didn't hit. At least he is producing now as a DH.

5. And helping the Tribe defense is that Carlos Santana has played a very commendable first base -- now that it is becoming his regular position. Swisher had nine errors in 52 games, most in the American League. Santana hasn't made an error at first this season.

David Murphy is batting only .203 since June 1.

6. As for Bourn, he went on the disabled list on July 6. It's the second time with a bad hamstring, and he probably will be out for a month. He also had surgery on the same hamstring at the end of last season. He's batting .267 (.695 OPS) with three homers and 21 RBI. Not great, but his absence highlights how Ryan Raburn (.199, 2 HR, 18 RBI) is really hurting them. The Tribe was counting on Raburn to be a valuable extra outfielder.

7. The combination of Bourn being hurt and Raburn's slump means David Murphy is playing too much. He's batting .203 since June 1. The plan was to platoon Raburn and the lefty Murphy in right field. That hasn't worked out.

8. Justin Masterson gave up two earned runs in five innings in a rehab start at Class AAA Columbus Sunday night. He struck out six, gave up five hits. Masterson said his knee felt "pretty good," in an interview with the Columbus Dispatch. He has been bothered by some inflammation.

9. Obviously, the Tribe needs Masterson (4-6, 5.51) to at least be a legitimate Major League starter down the stretch. It's doubtful they will trade him, or receive much in return if they try to find a buyer. He makes $9.7 million this season and will be a free agent when it's over.

10. A year ago, the Indians were 51-44 at the All-Star break, only 1 1/2 games behind Detroit in the Central Division. It never felt that close. But the Tigers had yet to bare their teeth and really growl. As for the Tribe, they were preparing to be one of baseball's best team's after the All-Star break.

11. And a year ago, the Indians were 41-26 after the All-Star break ... and 21-6 in September ... to finish 92-70 and make the playoffs as a wild card team. Hard to imagine that happening again.

12. This season, the Tribe was 47-47 at the All-Star break, 7 1/2 games behind the Tigers. Winning 3-of-4 in Detroit cut the Tiger lead in the Central Division to 5 1/2 games.

13. So will the Tribe dump players? Probably not. Entering Monday's game at Minnesota, the Tribe was two games out of a wild card spot. The Angels (59-38) seemed to have the top position to themselves. Next is Seattle (52-46). Then come the Yankees, Tribe and Toronto -- all within two games of Seattle. The chance of making the playoffs in any fashion will probably prevent a major sell off, but it's not likely to inspire any serious spending.



