Indians’ shuffle begins

CLEVELAND (AP) — The questions came at Indians general manager Chris Antonetti from all sides and in rapid-fire succession.

How did first-year manager Manny Acta do this season? What’s the pitching staff look like for 2011? Will Grady Sizemore be at full speed in spring training? Can Cleveland challenge in the AL Central next year? Will the team offer Shin-Soo Choo a long-term contract. How do you get your fans to believe?

As Antonetti spewed out answers on his first day as GM, his predecessor — and mentor — leaned back in his chair and smiled.

“This is actually kind of enjoyable,” Mark Shapiro said.

On Monday, the Indians officially passed the bat(on) of power in their front office as Shapiro moved into his new position as team president and Antonetti, the team’s assistant GM, assumed the job Shapiro had held since taking it from John Hart in 2001.

Cleveland’s front-office transition has actually been evolving over the past few seasons with Antonetti taking a more prominent role in the club’s day-to-day operations, and Shapiro gradually branching into the business side of running the ballclub.

Close friends and colleagues, Shapiro and Antonetti have shared the same vision for the Indians. And while their roles and titles have changed — they’ll both keep their old offices — the pair will continue working together to try and bring Cleveland its first World Series title since 1948.

It won’t be easy, but that’s the challenging part.

“I’m more excited than nervous,” Antonetti said of assuming the GM duties. “That comes from knowing that we have done it before and the opportunity is there again.”

Antonetti, whose career as a baseball executive began as an intern in Montreal’s organization, said he intends to call upon Shapiro’s expertise from time to time. Before making any trade or decision, Antonetti said he will continue to consult with the man who pulled off some of the biggest deals in franchise history.

“I’d be foolish not to tap into Mark’s experience,” he said.