Shapiro: no bullpen help

[Steve Buffum]

The Indians' bullpen has second-highest ERA in the American League, but according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, it's probably too early to make a trade for help. "If our starting pitchers get us through the seventh inning consistently, I guarantee you our bullpen will improve," GM Mark Shapiro told the newspaper. "I guarantee you."

Indians starters are averaging 5 2/3 innings per start (through 27 games), and have reached the seventh inning or beyond five times. "To say our bullpen is the biggest problem is the wrong perception," said Shapiro. "Write that down ... the wrong perception."

Okay, I wrote it down. It didn't work for me.

[consigliere]

Okay, if the bullpen is not the issue.....then obviously it is the starters Mr. Shapiro. So, does he need to look at making a trade there?

[pup]

Notice how he says if the starters give us 7 innings the bullpen would be ok. Well, the bullpen better be able to get 6 outs with 5 guys every night.