SB Nation User Blog: NickFantana

Trade Talk with Castro and the Indians are Active in the Dominican

NickFantana — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:05:31 -0000

Trade Talk with Castro and the Indians are Active in the Dominican

Interesting thoughts about the negligible difference between the non-waiver and waiver deadline this year.

The second link is here. The Tribe has signed two shortstops and a pitcher from the Dominican.

The Indians should trade for Roy Halladay...

NickFantana — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:16:34 -0000

It occurred to me recently that the Indians should trade for Roy Halladay OR they should trade Cliff Lee and others to re-stock for 2011-2012.

Right now, it would seem the Indians are in between for 2010. One can make a persuasive argument that with Carmona coming back strong in the minors plus Huff and Rondon, the Indians rotation will be stronger in 2010. As for the bullpen, it can be argued that luck alone will provide improvement over 08 and 09. The offense has been impressive this season and there's few reasons to expect less for next year with LaPorta and Brantley close at hand and further improvement expected from Valbuena and Cabrera.

On the other hand, pessimists can say that the rotation is suspect and lacks depth, the bullpen will never improve without a change in front office philosophy that will require both asubstantial investment of money and several years of prospect development. Further, a pessimist could claim that regardless of the offensive talent, the Indians will not be contenders with the prospective roster they look to field in 2010.

With that in mind, I submit that the Indians should make a dramatic move in one direction or the other. To contend in 2010, the Indians will need more pitching and the easiest way to make a dramatic improvement to their pitching staff would be to add another front of the line starter. Roy Halladay fits that bill and is available. Dave Cameron offered his estimate of Halladay's value and my translation for the Indians is something like Hector Rondon (a given), Lonnie Chisenhall and Beau Mills (or Weglarz). Such a trade would strengthen the Indians rotation for 2010 without significantly weakening the ballclub for 2010. Ultimately, this scenario is most likely if Halladay isn't traded now but is traded after the season. In that case, the cost probably goes down marginally.

If this is too steep a price or Halladay doesn't want to waive his no-trade to come to Cleveland, the Indians should trade Cliff Lee and focus on contending in 2011 and 2012. As currently constructed, the Indians are a mediocre team that can be argued in or out of contention. Given the economic realities the team faces, it's unclear to me how the Indians will add significant talent from outside of the organization without making additional trades and I believe the bigger those trades, the better.

Nyjer Morgan is a Valuable Asset...

NickFantana — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:13:44 -0000

Nyjer Morgan is a Valuable Asset...

Interesting piece by Dave Cameron, linked to by Rob Neyer. Neyer sort of counterbalances Cameron's enthusiasm but an interesting read from both sides, especially given some recent discussions about the value of defense on this site.

Should Dolan Fire Shapiro?

NickFantana — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:58:34 -0000

I don't really have a coherent argument in favor or against of this proposition. I'm not prepared to try and convince everyone one way or the other. In fact, I'm not sure where I stand yet. However, I did think it was time to take everyone's temperature. Things aren't at their low ebb but the Tribe isn't scalding hot either.

Put very simply, I wanted to see a poll of LGT members answering the following simple question:

Poll

Should Dolan Fire Shapiro?

Yes

32 votes

No

191 votes

223 votes | Poll has closed

"Pavano Pitching Well" - FanGraphs

NickFantana — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:41:08 -0000

"Pavano Pitching Well" - FanGraphs

My main emotion upon reading this is:

"How is it that the Carl Pavano gamble ends up paying off so well so far and each and every bullpen move has been an unmitigated disaster? Sports aren't even close to fair!!!"

Then I start swearing under my breath. Let's sweep the Reds and get back in this thing.

I'm Sorry for Posting This, but It's Really Good

NickFantana — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:33:54 -0000

I'm Sorry for Posting This, but It's Really Good

Best take I've read on Cashman for a long time by a writer I really enjoy. Sorry for pre-emptively breaking the Yankees moratorium.

Heath Bell does not care for ESPN

NickFantana — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:49:33 -0000

Heath Bell does not care for ESPN

Specifically, Baseball Tonight. For some reason, he seems to think they focus more on the big East Coast teams. Hm.

By the way, feel free to use my tag for all future Manny Ramirez/Jim Thome coming back to Cleveland threads.

Nick Adenhart Killed in a Car Accident

NickFantana — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:50:47 -0000

Nick Adenhart Killed in a Car Accident

Terrible, terrible news.

Tuesday April Baseball

NickFantana — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:17:27 -0000

Tuesday April Baseball

Royals v. White Sox
Brewers v. Giants
Rays v. Red Sox
Tigers v. Blue Jays
Mariners v. Twins

An Unknown Number of Young Baseball Prospects Detained Overseas

NickFantana — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:25:17 -0000

An Unknown Number of Young Baseball Prospects Detained Overseas

"Major League Baseball has officers in the Dominican Republic who are cooperating with the FBI in at least two major scandals involving the Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals involving falsified birth records, kickback scandals, and smuggling of performance-enhancing drugs that evaded security -- and former Sen. George Mitchell's investigation into the use of PEDs in MLB -- until recently."

-Peter Gammons