Odds and Ends: Indians, Rays, Jays

Who could possibly want Hampton?

Only a small factor...

haha

"Only a small factor" is in my words, but he is right. 3 of 25 came via first round draft picks (counting Garza who came for Young). That seems like a small factor in their success, especially with Upton's slight off year. And, 20% of their games they didn't have Longoria.

Are we not counting Kazmir because he was stolen for a lesser talent?

No I think they are not counting Kazmir because he was not drafted by the Rays.

This offseason is gonna be interesting for the Indians. I'll be shocked if Shoppach isn't traded this winter. The Marlins seem like a great fit as they need a catcher. Hermida or Uggla and Gregg for Shoppach, Barfield, and slew of prospects?

"This offseason is gonna be interesting for the Indians. I'll be shocked if Shoppach isn't traded this winter."

...Would be foolish not to sell high on him if we can

"The Marlins seem like a great fit as they need a catcher. Hermida or Uggla and Gregg for Shoppach, Barfield, and slew of prospects?"

...Not sure how much I like those trades though. Hermida is pointless with the number of similar OFers we have and Uggla just isnt good enough to trade for just to replace inhouse options. Sure he has a bunch of power, but his contact rate isnt that great and his BB rate is more than likely going to dramatically drop. We are better off with one of Cabrera/Barfield and eventually Rodriguez. Gregg I could see though, and its possible something is worked out there…

I really don't think Indians will trade Kelly Shoppach. I think Ryan Garko, Josh Barfield and Franklin Gutierrez are more likely to be moved. I can see Garko and Barfield along with a pitching prospect traded for a legit #3 or a possible #2 starting pitcher. Indians know that Martinez isn't going to stay behind the plate for very long, as he is getting close to 30 now, so Martinez could be a solution at 1B until Matt LaPorta or Beau Mills are ready and if by then Travis Hafner is still struggling, Martinez would take over DH.

This offseason, I can see the Indians make a deal for a starting pitcher, and re-sign Casey Blake to a one year deal until Wes Hodges is ready to take over 3B (that is if they give up on Andy Marte by spring training). They might also make a move for Brian Fuentes or someone similar to him for the back end of the pen. Shin-Soo Choo should be given the everyday job in RF and Francisco deserves the LF job out of spring.

Francisco, Sizemore and Choo would be a very good OF with Gutierrez as the 4th. Blake, Peralta, Cabrera and Martinez around the horn in INF and Shoppach behind the plate. Carmona, Lee, SP through trade or FA signing (AJ Burnett/Derek Lowe), Anthony Reyes and Aaron Laffey as the starting five.

Again, Indians have a lot of talent at a lot of position and a lot of options for this offseason. I think either route they take, they are bound to be legit contenders in 2009.