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The Cleveland Indians need to start from scratch when building their bullpen for next year. I’m not sure I see a current player that has potential to help this team improve. We have traded, promoted and changed positions to find pitchers with the ability to set up or close and came up empty. The Indians have blown too many late inning close games.

General Manager Mark Shapiro has to think about a blockbuster trade or spending some serious money in the winter to create a bullpen. It’s very apparent that losing set up man Bob Howry was more painful than ever expected. I truly believe the starting pitchers are talented enough to keep us competitive, and we have shown we can produce the offense. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the Tribe core players has to be traded to improve our ability to compete.

A three-run fourth inning helped the Tribe beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 5-3 Saturday night at Tropicana Field. For one day at least, Eric Wedge and the Indians found a solution for the closer’s spot. Tom Mastny struck out three in two innings to earn his first save of the season for the Tribe. Jeremy Sowers continued his solid pitching, allowing two runs in six innings and getting his fifth win of the season. The Indians’ runs were highlighted by a two-run triple by Jhonny Peralta and an RBI double by Andy Marte. Travis Hafner added his 37th home run in the seventh inning.

“He’ll get another opportunity,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “Mastny did a great job. The way he pitched tonight said a lot about his mental toughness. It was great to see for him and for us.”

The Indians suffered yet another late-inning loss Friday night as they fell to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 6-5. C.C. Sabathia went eight strong innings allowing three earned runs on eight hits, striking out six. He left a two run lead to the flimsy bullpen which once again showed us which area of the team needs an overhaul this offseason. Brian Sikorski came in to work the ninth inning and allowed a run on three hits to make it a 5-4 game. Jason Davis came in to attempt to save the game with runners on first and second and one out. However, Davis walked the first batter he faced on four pitches to load the bases. After getting ahead of Carl Crawford 0-2, Davis grooved a splitter and Crawford deposited it into right field for the win. Manager Eric Wedge continues to have trouble finding someone, anyone, to finish a game with the lead.

“We’re going to keep trying with guys,” Wedge said. “That’s just where we’re at.”

The bullpen fiasco ruined a breakout game from young third baseman Andy Marte, as he went 3-4 with two doubles and his very first major league home run. It’s a shame that blast had to come in a tough loss. As they say, better luck next year.