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i'm sure everyone already read this on indians.com but i thought i'd post it just in case and to get everyone's reactions.

Sizemore may slide out of leadoff spot

CLEVELAND -- Grady Sizemore loves batting leadoff. It's the spot he's held since 2005, the spot where he's most comfortable and the spot that once seemed his long-term home in the Indians' lineup.

But the fact is, Sizemore hasn't been much of a leadoff hitter in 2009 -- to the point where manager Eric Wedge is actually considering the bold move of bumping Sizemore down.

Whether the move will come at any point during the Tribe's three-city, 10-game road trip, which begins Thursday night at Tampa Bay, remains to be seen. Truth be known, it might not come at all, if Sizemore finds his swing. But the fact that Wedge is considering it at all is an indication of the Indians' current instability.

Though he didn't sound thrilled with the scenario, Sizemore said he would accept being dropped down.

"I'll hit wherever they want," he said. "Leadoff is where I'm comfortable. But if [Wedge] is going to change the lineup to help the team, we have to do anything we can to keep it going and be consistent."

When it comes to setting the tone for a game, Sizemore has not done his job at No. 1. In 34 games, he has reached base in the first inning just six times. He is 2-for-30 with four walks, 10 strikeouts and four runs scored in the first inning.

Those struggles set the tone for Sizemore's overall trouble to be a consistent offensive force in the lineup this season. He's had some hard-hit balls of late, and he drove in a run with a fifth-inning single in Wednesday's win over the White Sox. But his overall numbers (.228 average and .311 on-base percentage) leave quite a bit to be desired, especially from the leadoff perspective.

"He's a great player going through a tough time," general manager Mark Shapiro said. "He will not be outworked. If there's any guy in this league, and certainly on this team, that deserves patience and some acceptance that he's going through a tough period, it's that guy. There's not a guy that plays harder or works harder and there are only so many guys who care as much as he does. This guy's going to work hard and get out of it."

If Sizemore is at all hampered by the left groin strain he suffered in Spring Training, he's not letting on. The injury at least would help to explain why he's 5-for-11 in stolen-base attempts, but the Indians have said he's fully healed.

There is some thinking within the organization that Sizemore might benefit offensively from dropping down in the order to ease the pressure on him, but Wedge hasn't done it yet. Second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera has to be considered a candidate to take over the No. 1 spot, as he's shown improvement in plate discipline and has swung a hot bat this season.

As for Sizemore, he's working to improve, but he's shown some mechanical flaws with his swing that need to be corrected.

"I'm still not where I want to be [offensively]," Sizemore said. "I try to focus on the team and now how I'm doing. I would just like to see more consistency and get better, day by day. I'm trying to get on base and score runs."

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at this point, i think we should try ANYTHING to get some consecutive wins going. what do you girls think?
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