SB Nation User Blog: world dictator

Did the Pirates pull out of Bay talks?

world dictator — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:16:37 -0000

Apparently the new word is that the pirates ended talks with the Indians regarding Jason Bay because a package of Gutz, Shoppach,Lee and a minor leaguer was not enough for Bay and Ronny Paulino.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/pirates-pulled.html

Man, I'm loving Huntington more and more everyday. Thats WAY too much for us to give up for Bay. It doesn't make sense for us to trade our young up and coming RF/CF for an aging LF who puts up questionable numbers.

The fact that Gutz was even in the deal makes me skeptical of this report. I think Shoppach and Lee is a decent deal. But I wouldn't trade Bay for Gutz straight up. It's not that I think Gutz is the second coming, but I'm very skeptical of Bay. But even if it was a good deal it's a lateral deal at best.

The Indians a sleeper team on Dan Haren?

world dictator — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:01:32 -0000

Apparently the every hot stove fan boy's dream has come true. The Indians really are pursuing Dan Haren

"In mentioning the possible Dan Haren trade, Buster Olney mentions the Indians as a sleeper pick. They haven't really been mentioned in relation to the 27-year-old righty, as talks have been dominated by the Diamondbacks. The Yankees and the Dodgers are the other teams Olney mentions as interested.

This would make Cleveland's rotation for 2008:

C.C. Sabathia
Dan Haren
Fausto Carmona
Jake Westbrook
Paul Byrd

Mentioned as A's bait are Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey, and, of course, Adam Miller. It's unlikely that they'd be interested in players like Andy Marte and Josh Barfield, since a trade of Haren would signify the A's beginning to rebuild. They'd likely want players with little to no service time. They could, in addition, trade Joe Blanton and Huston Street as part of this process."

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/cleveland-in-th.html

Just a thought...Bonds in LF?

world dictator — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:36:17 -0000

Before everyone freaks just think about it. If we put down our emotions I think that this is an idea worth considering given the current trade market and the likelihood of a decreased price.

From MLBTR

Barry Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, said this evening that his client still wants to play in 2008 despite his legal troubles. It seems that his trial is unlikely to begin until after the season ends, so he'll be available.

A team willing to take on the baggage should be given a huge discount. Maybe a half price deal - $8MM or so. Signing Barry might be unpopular with the fanbase, but winning would probably overrule it.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/bonds-wants-to.html#comments

Assuming we could get a discount and assuming the trial begins after the season, I don't see why we wouldn't put in a flyer on bonds. I don't think he's going to sign for 8 million but 12 million for a one year deal. I'd totally do it. The LF market is quickly evaporating. Taking a chance on an aging veteran is very Shap-esque (Juan Gonzales)

The only thing I'd worry about is losing draft picks for signing him. However, if we signed Bonds then we could use our trading chips, Lee, Shoppach,etc to trade for minor leaguers prospects instead of looking for a LF bat.

In fact it seems preferable to trade for an established prospect who either has a high upside or is closer to the majors, or both, as compared "to buying a lottery ticket" in the draft. If we were smart we could even parlay our trading chips into a near ML ready OF who could possibly take over for Bonds in LF next year.

I know some people won't like this idea just because of who Bonds is/you think he cheated/etc. Thats fine, but from a non emotion based standpoint I think its worth reconsidering.

Indians resume interest in Percival

world dictator — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:08:44 -0000

"Remember when the hottest rumor centered around which team would sign Troy Percival? Percival ultimately signed with St. Louis, but the Indians were one of many teams rumored to be in on him.

Now comes word via MLB.com's Jim Molony that the Indians might "try to make a pitch" to acquire Percival from the Cardinals. Percival has pitched 14.2 innings for the Cardinals, and he's been very sharp with a 3.75 K/BB. I'm sure he'd be open to a role in the back of Cleveland's pen.

The Tribe would probably have even more interest in Jason Isringhausen, but he's said to be unavailable."

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/07/indians-interes.html

If the Indians have enough faith that Percival's arm is healthy then i think its an interesting option to look at.

I wonder what we would have to give up in return

Hafner Negotiations Resume

world dictator — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:43:44 -0000

Apologize if this has been posted already. I know there was a diary about Hafner turning down an offer earlier this year but this seems to be a new development

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians' flagship radio station has reported that contract negotiations between the team and Hafner have resumed. Hafner could be signed within the next several weeks, according to the newspaper.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player?statsId=6980 Hopefully this will help Hafner take the load off of his mind and continue to hit. I suggested all along that that they should just sign him during the all star break and be done with it.

Update [2007-7-11 0:46:59 by Ryan]:: Very prescient thoughts, since a deal might get done this week.

Trade Lee

world dictator — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:40:19 -0000

I'd say its well worth it. As Gammon notes pitching is at a premium and I think we can get a lot for Lee even with him having a bad half.

I bet we could get Griffey for Cliff Lee, assuming he has a few decent starts between now and then, and FGutz and a low level prospect.

This trade would give us a rotation of...

CC
Carmona
Westbrook
Byrd
Sowers/Miller/Stanford

And a lineup of

1.Grady
2.J-Barf
3.Griffey
4.Victor
5.Hafner
6.Jhonny
7.Blake
8.Garko
9. Michaels/Fransico

With Jbarf and Michaels/Fransico switching between the 2 hole and the 9 hole.

That looks like an upgrade well worth making to me.

Andy Marte in Buffalo

world dictator — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:54:23 -0000

The discussion sort of began in the diary about Minor League Action on fathers day but I figured it merited its own diary.

What does everyone think of Marte's time in Buffalo thus far? I haven't seen him play nor read any reports about how he looks on the plate or the field, but he seems to be making some improvements. Here's his line...

.265/.318/.541/.859 (7HR 22RBI 7BB 17SO)

That seems the the typical Andy Marte, at least at this point. Decent average, Decent pop in his bat.

But a look close shows that he had a Killer June...

.302/.367/.604/.970 (4HR 15RBI 6BB 10SO)

Hopefully this is a sign of him picking it up in AAA and making progress overall as a prospect. Do you guys think he's on a hot streak or perhap's he's finally settling down and correcting his swing. It seems to me that Marte is the epitomy of the excitable young player who tries to push himself to hard to impress his team.

That or maybe its just Marte being Marte. Look at his lefty vs righty splits.

.324/.375/.649/1.024 (3HR 7RBI 2BB 3SO)

.230/.284/.475/.759 (4HR 15RBI 5BB 14SO)

So what do you think?

Pat Burrell

world dictator — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 19:36:45 -0000

Here's a thought...why not trade for Pat Burrell?

On Sportscenter last night they said the Phillies are looking to move him and would probably be willing to eat a decent amount of his contract.

Here's his line:

AVG .258 | HR 29 | RBI 95 | OBP .388 | SLG .502

His splits:

VS. LEFT: .290 / 1.012
VS. RIGHT: .244 / .837

He has a full no trade clause but it doesn't mean its not worth looking into.

Carmona sent down to become a Starter...Sowers being sent down....

world dictator — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:18:49 -0000

What do you guys think?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2562292

"Reliever Fausto Carmona, a bust as Cleveland's closer, was sent to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday by the Indians, who plan to bring him back in a few weeks as a starter."

"Carmona (1-8) will likely replace rookie Jeremy Sowers, who has already thrown 168 innings -- nine more than last season. Since the Indians are no longer in contention, they don't want to overuse Sowers, who improved to 6-3 on Friday night."

Crispy leftovers offically goes to Boston

world dictator — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 01:43:29 -0000

http://www.cleveland.com/newslogs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/mtlogs/cleve_plaindealer/archives/2006_01.h tml#108231

Hoynes, yeah I know, is reporting that the trade between the Red Sox and the indians is offical. The deal was about the same as it was before except now the Indians are getting cash and a prospect to be named later. Manny Declareman was not included in the deal. Though I think its ironic that the Indians get a player to be named later since Crisp came from St Louis for Finley as a player to be named later.