Hargrove Wary of Future With Indians

Cleveland Manager Mike Hargrove still does not have a contract beyond this season, and he’s not happy about it.

“Yeah, it puts me in a really bad mood when I hear things like that,” Hargrove said Tuesday of speculation that this could be his last year in Cleveland. “I want to stay here. I’m not looking to go anywhere else. Hopefully, [General Manager] John Hart knows that and we can sit down and get it done.”

Hargrove, 47, is in his sixth year with the Indians and has guided Cleveland to two consecutive AL Central titles. His 265 victories from 1994-96 were more than any other manager in baseball.

Hart has expressed concern that Hargrove was not tough enough last year, when distractions swirled in the clubhouse regarding Albert Belle and the friends of former second baseman Carlos Baerga, who were always hanging around the team. Belle is now with the Chicago White Sox, and Baerga was traded to the New York Mets.

Hargrove seems to have the Indians on a shorter leash now, benching Manny Ramirez early in spring training for not running out a ground ball and demoting Jack McDowell to the bullpen after three terrible starts.

McDowell will return to the rotation Thursday against Oakland after two scoreless appearances as a reliever.

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The Kansas City Royals activated second baseman Jose Offerman, who had been sidelined since April 6 because of a strained groin muscle.

In other moves, the Royals purchased the contract of right-hander Jim Converse, optioned right-handed pitcher Brian Bevil to double-A Wichita and designated Jason Jacome for assignment.