Indians Choose Brantley In Sabathia Deal

So it ends up as LaPorta, Bryson, Jackson and Brantley for Sabathia.

That's a pretty solid haul, as LaPorta is an ideal centerpiece for a deal like that, and Bryson, Jackson and Brantley have all shown the potential to be good major leaguers. Realistically I think Brantley could end up being a solid CF, capable of .300/.350/.400 numbers with speed and defense out of center. Obviously he wasn't chosen by need, the Indians have Sizemore of course. But he just helps to give the team more positional player depth in the minors, where they already have guys like LaPorta, Weglarz, Mills, Hodges, Chisenhall and Santana. The future is still pretty bright for Cleveland, if they can get together a good pitching staff.

Tim, remember when BA annointed Andy Marte as the "second coming" "...he has the tools to become a star" is a quote from the 2006 Handbook when he was in with the Red Sox system. They had more glowing terms for him in 2007 in the Indians system but I don't have that reference. Forgive me if I've stopped considering them infallible prognosticators.

MickS- Just wondering, have you ever picked up the BA prospect handbook? This past season had notes on CC and Rollins and they were pretty dead on. Just b/c they labeled Marte a cant miss doesnt mean they suck. They have nailed plenty.

"Bryson might be done. He has a tear in his labrum and requires surgery. He won't be a 95 mph flame thrower like he was, it is questionable if he is able to pitch again."

hmm...considering he was cleared by doctors and they said there was no tear....AND he came back already and pitched this year...pretty sure his career isn't done....

Compare Brantley and Kenny Lofton's minor league numbers.....other than Kenny's higher SB totals, they're pretty dead on.

Brantley should see time in Cleveland next year and possibly be the starting LFer (not in CF) and batting leadoff allowing Grady to move to the 3-hole to better utilize his power. Wouldn't suprise me if Brantley sees time in Cleveland before LaPorta even....

I hope more the kid's career he is ok. He has the talent to be a useful bullpen guy "plus fastball and plus slider" I just hope he gets the chance to prove himself on the big stage one day.

Well now we seem to have a huge surplus of Major League Outfielders, what we really need is an All-Star 3b. Yes, we Hodges is sitting in the wings but we really want a player we can build around. I don't know if the Mets would be up for this, but maybe we could trade for David Wright. A Wes Hodges, Shin Soo Choo, a pitcher, and Gut maybe. They might for for that and it would give us a great thirdbaseman for many years. Peralta I don't see as a permanent 3b option. Also we would never move LaPorta to first, that is Beau Mills' position and in a year or two he will be ready to step in and produce, the dude is a stud.

Also from all the talk I hear Trevor Crowe is waiting to take the leadoff spot before Brantley.