Yesterday, it was announced Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge and his staff were not coming back next year.  Wedge was the AL manager of the year just two years ago and his pitching coach, Carl Willis had two Cy Young winners during his tenure (BTW, I'm so old, I saw Willis pitch in the minors as a closer in the Tigers system in the early eighties.) But here's the incredible thing.  Instead of cleaning out his desk, Wedge and company are going to stick it out for the final five  three games of the season.

Let me get this straight.  Your boss has just informed you that you have been terminated.  But instead of turning in your security badge and your keys and being escorted from the premises by either burly security guards or someone from HR,  it is decided you get  to stick around until the end of the season.

While some may find this a stand up act, I find it ridiculous.  If someone tells you your services are no longer necessary, pack up the picture of the wife, your desk sign, your snow globe, your poster of Sam McDowell and get the hell out of Dodge.  Let some other guy manage your club for five days.  You are out of work and need a job. Go find one.  Don't waste one more ounce of energy on people who don't want you.

I'm sure there were some financial considerations involved.  Wedge is signed through next season, so I'm sure it came up that Eric, we'd like to pay you for next year, but in order for us to do that. . .  How cheap can an organization be?

In Wedge's defense, the fault is not all his, but since he is the manager he gets the blame.  Injuries have cost the Indians dearly the last two years.  It's also hard to win when your GM continues to replace your best players with stiffs and retreds.  Swapping out C.C. Sabathia for Carl Pavano doesn't necessarily mean you are going to win.  Or hiring oft injured Kerry Wood as your closer doesn't make you secure in your job.  But despite it all, Wedge didn't complain and did his best to get the job done.  I have no doubt someone will hire him soon.  In fact, I think he'd be a great fit in Arizona if the D-Backs decide to dump A.J. Hinch.

As for who will lead the tribe next year, indications are they will be going outside the organization to lead the team.  Rumors are rampant that they might consider former manager Mike Hargrove, but Grover quit on Seattle and that sends a wrong message to people. Boston pitching coach John Ferrell is also being talked about.  I would love to see White Sox bench coach Joey Cora get a shot, but I doubt they would hire someone from a divisional rival. 

I'd love to see them hire Clint Hurdle.  Him, Leyand and Ozzie in the same division would be just too cool.

Whoever takes over the Indians takes over a much younger team than started this season.  The Indians pitching is weak and with the financial limitations on ownership as well as waning fan interest, it may be a while before Cleveland gets back into it.  The Tigers, Twinkies and White Sox all seem ahead of them now.  Of course, if you watched the first game of their doubleheader yesterday, you may not think the White Sox are any good and you may be right, but that's a different topic for a different day.