Is Hafner Almost Done?

[DougHeil]

Now it's his left shoulder that is sore. My goodness; it also seems to be a case of the Indians hiding the soreness in his other shoulder, thinking it will just go away. Didn't they learn anything with Martinez and last year? Grady throws like a little leaguer now as well. I don't understand why we keep playing injured players just hoping things get better.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2009/08/old_pain_new_place_travis_hafn.html

Old pain, new place? Travis Hafner sitting out with soreness in 'other' shoulder: Indians Insider
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Saturday August 29, 2009, 9:21 PM

Charlie Riedel/Associated PressEven though he had a home run in Kansas City during last week's series, Travis Hafner was struggling with more shoulder soreness -- but this time it's in his left "healthy" shoulder.

BALTIMORE, Md. -- If it's not one shoulder, it's another.

For the last two seasons, Travis Hafner has been bothered for a sore right shoulder. He had surgery in October and hasn't been able to play regularly this season because the shoulder hasn't fully recovered.

Now Hafner's left shoulder is bothering him.

Hafner didn't play Saturday against the Orioles and he's expected to miss Sunday's series finale. He's expected to have the shoulder examined Monday in Cleveland.

The Indians will spent Monday's off day in Cleveland before finishing this trip with a three-game series in Detroit.

"It's more in the [pectoral muscle] and arm than the shoulder," said Hafner. "I just want to make sure I get it taken care of so I don't overcompensate with the other shoulder."

Hafner said his left shoulder has been bothering him for two or three weeks.

"I did it swinging the bat," said Hafner.

Manager Eric Wedge said the shoulder has been getting worse so they decided to give Hafner three days' rest -- Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

"We'll see how he feels and go from there," said Wedge.

Hafner is hitting .272 (70-for-257) with 15 doubles, 13 homers and 38 RBI in 72 games. When he played the first two games on this 10-game trip, it marked the first time this season that he's been able to play four consecutive games in as many days.

He opened the season with the Indians, but went on the disabled list on April because of pain and fatigue in the right shoulder.

 

[Gunther]

I've never had such torn emotions on a player. If he has been injured all this time, then I feel sorry for him because you cannot swing a bat properly with shoulder injuries. It leaves him just well enough to play, but not enough to play well (?).

I say If because there is the possibility that he has been rehabbing from more than a shoulder injury these two years. Hate to use the "S" word with Travis, especially since he has flat out said that he never roided, but look at the signs: 1) he is smaller than he used to be - maybe 30 lbs? 2) he doesn't seem to generate the same bat speed.

Maybe he is smaller simply because he decided to get smaller. Julio Franco pointed out that too much muscle impedes your ability to swing effectively. However, he swung pretty damn well when he was bigger, so I can't see this explanation.

It should be noted that recuperating from a shoulder injury could certainly explain the loss of bat speed, but doesn't that seem a little too convenient?

I'd love to see the guy do well. I really would. But I don't think it's a matter of him "playing through" his "injury" at this point.

With Sept 1 right around the corner, I say shut him down for the rest of this year. We have a bunch of kids that will be added to the roster soon, and they alll need playing time. Maybe we can see Marte play some 3B while Peralta is the DH. Let Hafner have until Spring Training to get right.

If he isn't right by Spring Training next year, maybe they could declare him physically unable to play and get some insurance for him next season. Otherwise, are we going to have to watch him do this all over again next year? I hope not. That would really put a damper on the fun I plan on having next year watching the kids develop.

 

[DougHeil]

With Sept 1 right around the corner, I say shut him down for the rest of this year. We have a bunch of kids that will be added to the roster soon, and they alll need playing time. Maybe we can see Marte play some 3B while Peralta is the DH. Let Hafner have until Spring Training to get right.

Exactly. I hope that is what does happen. Grady needs to be sat as well. He needs to take care of the arm right now, not later. The young kids will be called up so I don't see any reason to keep on playing these injured players when we are paying them millions. I actually believe Hafner's other shoulder is hurt because he overcompensates for the right one. It just seems to me the FO messes up hurt players more than they help them. I could care less how much a Hafner, a Grady, or a Martinez wants to play; if they are hurt........... FIX IT.

 

[DougHeil]

Gunther; I just read in the game thread where you had already posted this. Sorry. If a mod wants to delete this thread, that's fine by me.

 

[tedginnjr]

What do you mean by almost. The guys been done for two years now.

 

[Gunther]

Gunther; I just read in the game thread where you had already posted this. Sorry. If a mod wants to delete this thread, that's fine by me.

The one you posted has a little more info. I think it would be interesting to continue to comment in this thread next season. It will definately be a big concern for the Tribe and all of us fans.

 

[Gunther]

For the record, Tom Hamilton just said Hafner would be back in the lineup again tomorrow.

I listened to a brief interview between Hamilton and Wedge before the game. Hammy asked Wedge why he doesn't shut Hafner down for the season, and Wedge's answer was that Hafner wanted to play, and he would have two months off after the season anyway. He said if Hafner wanted to play he (Wedge) felt he should play him.

Just who is the Manager of this team anyway? If you want to shut a guy down, you shut a guy down. Period. Man, I hope Wedge is gone next year. We definately need change.

 

[di0p]

Wouldn't be suprise at all if he is released during the off-season. Actually I'm pretty much expecting it at this point. For what they are paying him he is not producing anything close to enough.

 

[Chris]

Wouldn't be suprise at all if he is released during the off-season. Actually I'm pretty much expecting it at this point. For what they are paying him he is not producing anything close to enough.

He will not be released for precisely that reason: he is being paid so much, even if ge's only hitting .270 and 15 HR he must be kept.

 

[macbdog]

If he is released, he produces nothing for the team. You cut your losses with a guy who doesn't produce when on the active roster. That isn't Hafner. You do so to clear up a roster spot. A hurt Hafner can be DLed. A sucky Dellucci cannot. There is no way they outright cut Hafner because if the team has any insurance on his contract then it becomes null, too. Just isn't going to happen.

 

[mult336]

though in his defense if his shoulder has been this bad for the past 2 years than lifting weights is out of the question..... So that would be another reason why he is smaller....

 

[DougHeil]

Wedge allows his players to run the team instead of the manager. He's done this same stuff with many players over the years. "he wants to play" is something we have heard many times from Wedge.

Words/phrases I'm sick of hearing:

he's a grinder
he gets at it
stays with his delivery
is within his delivery
knows the game
he grinds it out every day
he has good at bats
he needs to have good at bats
he stays within himself

There are many, many more that I can't think of right off....

 

[Gunther]

Wedge allows his players to run the team instead of the manager. He's done this same stuff with many players over the years. "he wants to play" is something we have heard many times from Wedge.

Words/phrases I'm sick of hearing:

he's a grinder
he gets at it
stays with his delivery
is within his delivery
knows the game
he grinds it out every day
he has good at bats
he needs to have good at bats
he stays within himself

There are many, many more that I can't think of right off....

Very "even-keel" of you, Doug

 

[DougHeil]

lol yeah. Contrast Wedge with someone like Ozzie or the Boston manager...geez, can't think of his name;

"the guy sucked tonight"

That's the type of manager that will be successful.

 

[Snarly]

lol yeah. Contrast Wedge with someone like Ozzie or the Boston manager...geez, can't think of his name;

"the guy sucked tonight"

That's the type of manager that will be successful.

Terry franconia or something like that I think... and I agree. Wedge lets the players run the team a bit to much. while this is a good thing can also be a very bad thing. Wedge might stay one more year sad to say... I hope not. At the same time why blame the coaching when look what happend to Charlie Manuel when he left... So you never know with shap and the Dolans running the show.