For the last couple days the big story’s been Willie Randolph’s spot on the firing line. The Mets aren’t sharp, and it’s Willie’s turn to answer for their sub-.500 record. But at 24-26, it’s hardly a crisis. The Marlins and their dime-store pitching are going to regress to the mean, and the Mets and their $120-million payroll are going to be fine. Maybe they won’t win the division, but, within a month, they’ll be back up there with the Phillies and the Braves.

I can’t say the same for the Indians. Watching this club, I can’t help but marvel at the way its been so terribly mismanaged. Travis Hafner and his shoulder aren’t going to do anything this year. He’s had his second cortisone shot this season, and it’d be foolish, considering what guys like Vernon Wells (’07) and Gary Sheffield (’08) have done with bad wings, to expect him to start producing. Add to that the possibility that his ‘06-to-’07-to-’08 declines could be permanent (for whatever reason), and you’ve got serious problems. They just signed this guy to a new deal. And his OBP is down a whopping .213 points since 2006. His SLG %? In 2006 it sat at .659. In 2008? .350.

OK, he’s hurt. But what about last year: .451. We’re talking about a guy who, after last season’s drops, should not have been re-upped. Especially when–without accusing Hafner of anything– everyone knew the game had changed.

Casey Blake, a terrific triumph-over-the-odds story, is going to see his OBP decline for a third straight season. His SLG % is down .130 points from his ‘06 number (.349 vs. .479). Blake, who, at his peak, was a 20/80 hitter, is on pace to go .220/10/81. And considering his age (34), it’s really time the Indians start looking for a better option.

Other problems: David Dellucci is starting in LF. He’s hitting .226. Last year he hit .230. Everyone in baseball knows this guy’s a 4th OF/platoon starter. Considering that he’s hitting .235 against RHP this year, even that platoon role might be a stretch. Considering that he hit .240 against RHP last year, an MLB career might be a stretch.

Asdrubal Cabrera is having one of the worst seasons in the history of professional baseball. He’s batting .184 with an OPB of .280. Josh Barfield is about a week away from starting at 2B. He’s hitting .254/4/16 for the AAA Bisons, and his 43:12 K:BB is despicable. If you’re questioning Hafner’s big surge-decline, you’ve also got to wonder about Barfield. But if they think that Jamey Carroll can’t do the job, you almost have to let Barfield come up and embarrass himself.

Andy Marte looks like a huge bust. He’s not playing–but he shouldn’t be playing. This man has the longest swing I’ve ever seen. He’s Branyan. That’s what he is, another Russ Branyan. Only a shift in gravity could keep him from striking out 180+ times in a 500+ AB season. Right now he’s hitting .138 with 4 hits in 29 AB. I guess you’ve got to play him–you’ve got to give him a shot–but don’t expect much. He’s out of options, so it’s either Cleveland or the waiver wire. The only reason that he’s on the team right now is because Shapiro thinks the Giants are waiting on Marte. Maybe they are, but they’re also waiting on Dan Ortmeier.

Jhonny Peralta’s a joke. His regression to a .330-ish OBP is now 100% complete. He looked like the next Tejada; he turned into the next Juan Uribe (who used to be an SS). Franklin Gutierrez is playing like a stiff–but he’s going to be good. Victor Martinez hasn’t hit a home run.

Wedge is starting to feel the pressure, and he’s going a little crazy. He’s benched Ryan Garko for Michael Aubrey, seemingly shunting the two into a strict platoon. A couple days ago Wedge told the press, “Garko is still going to be playing first base. I’m not going to jump head over heels into Michael Aubrey, he’s only been here for a week. But if I feel like he’s doing a good job for us, I’m not going to be afraid to play him.”

Yesterday Garko starts against an LHP and goes 1-3 with 2 RBI and a walk. Today he sits to let Blake play 1B, with Aubrey DHing. And that’s against an RHP. Garko, who has 6 AB in the past 5 days, is clearly a better option than either Blake or Aubrey. Garko’s OBP (.333) is actually third among Indians starters. And this is a guy who’s in his second full season. His .483 SLG % and .359 OBP in ‘07 is absolutely typical of a guy growing toward a breakout third year. But he’s been slumping recently, and, really, Wedge has never liked the guy. Aubrey’s minor league totals (.301 AVG, .494 SLG %) are just a notch above Garko’s MLB (career) numbers.

But did Wedge bring up Aubrey? Nope. Shapiro made that move. Why? Aubrey’s close to being a Rule V pick of some non-Cleveland team, and the club was struggling. You bring him up to take a look at him, but not to start him against RHP. Garko vs. RHP in 2007: .281/14/44 in 342 AB. Not terrific, but fine for a player in his first full season.

Paul Konerko’s line in his first full year: .294/24/81 with a .352 OBP.

Clearly, the Indians need to start hitting. But slumps happen. They can’t be explained, they’re absolutely awful to watch, but they happen. With Martinez, Garko, Sizemore, and FG, you’ve got a decent core on which to build. LF is a huge hole; 3B is a huge hole; SS is what it is; and Barfield, if he’s back, could be average at 2B. But it’s imperative that these young-ish guys play over Dellucci and Blake. And Aubrey, if they like him, needs to be the full-time 1B. Trade Garko for whatever you can get. A left-handed platoon hitter gets about 120 AB/season. The only way you put Garko in that role is if you think he’s the next Brian Daubach (whom, I know, was left-handed).

And now you’ve got Ben Francisco–possibly the least intelligent player in MLB–starting every day, batting third, and showing Raul Mondesi-like awareness? Eric’s days are numbered; Shapiro can’t fire himself. Make your bet in Vegas.