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« Reds In Trade Talks For Dye? | Main | Rockies Rumors: Fuentes, Embree, Taveras »
Indians Shift Focus To Closer
According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians decided last week that multiyear deals for Rafael Furcal or Orlando Hudson would be too risky (health concerns). They're likely to switch their focus to finding a closer.
Hoynes says the Indians have talked to the agents for Brian Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, and Francisco Rodriguez. Hoynes believes the Mets have the upper hand on K-Rod. Still, Fuentes has scheduled a trip to New York to visit with the Mets.
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Why not just give Jensen Lewis the job, and then target some solid middle relief? Unless a closer falls into the Indians' laps, which will pretty much happen after the Mets get their guy.
Now, the Tribe knows how the Joe Borowski deal worked out; why are they going to get Joe Blow Part Deux in Izzy?
I like Hoffman as a fit for the Tribe.
Posted by: melonis rex | December 01, 2008 at 08:57 AM
For F's sake Hoynes. This is a new low to me. Indians fans have had nothing to talk about all offseason, but if there's ONE thing they already knew, it's that the Indians were making bullpen help their number one priority. Don't write until you have something to write about.
Posted by: Big Papa Mays | December 01, 2008 at 09:03 AM
I think it's a good idea for the Indians to look for a closer instead of a long term deal to a middle infielder who is consistently injured, don't get me wrong! I also believe in due dilligence, but did they really need to waist there time on Isringhausen if they want to avoid injury risks?
Posted by: KenInToront | December 01, 2008 at 09:07 AM
The Indians have also been tied to Jose Valverde. In fact, I've read more rumors and articles of them having interest in Valverde than I have in any other free agent closer.
Posted by: Brian | December 01, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Recently we've had to deal with the likes of JoeBo and Wickman. How they worked out I don't know. It was a huge mistake last year to sit on your hands, as our bullpen could not have honestly expected a repeat performance. Lewis is a great kid, but I don't think has the dynamite stuff I would like in a closer. He has that good moving fastball, but it is not a dominant pitch. He will be a good reliever. I am afraid of Izzy, and would rather not have Hoff. I would like to see them trade for a closer if they aren't getting ripped, and get Valverde or Putz. They should definately sign Chad Cordero, too. And call me crazy, but can we do a 'Millwood'-like deal for Pedro? One year eight mill, plus big incentives?
Posted by: Furrski | December 01, 2008 at 09:57 AM
My bet is they sign both Hoffman and Ishringhausen with Ishringhausen getting incentive based contract.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | December 01, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Furrski, honestly I'd rather have a reliever with dynamite stuff be the setup guy, or the guy that comes in whenever he's needed most and then let the closer just be someone competent and stable. The Cubs had that situation in '08 with Wood being the competent closer and Marmol having dynamite stuff and coming in when needed. Lewis may not have a dominant pitch but I'd rather have him being the setup guy and let an Izzy or Hoffman take care of closing.
Posted by: pageian | December 01, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Pageian, I know this team well, and the only relief pitcher we have with 'dynamite stuff' is Refael Perez. Lewis is a good control pitcher with a sneaky fastball. He fits well as a setup type guy. I would have had Hoff last time we tried for him. The Indians have been very conservative in searching for closing help over the past few years. Joe and Wicky weren't the first options (Besides, they are no K Wood. Look at saves numbers all you want, JoeBo was a freaking heart attack every night, God bless him). I just want to see the team get an established closer in or around his prime. We have some talented prospects to offer, and need to be aggressive.
Posted by: Furrski | December 01, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I know the rumor was that K Rod might settle for 3 years, and if the Mets sign Fuentes then the Tribe should go after him. In a world where bullpen options are up and down every year (Fuentes did lose his job in 07 and now is getting PAID in 08) K Rod is dominant yearly.
The Tribe have a lot of money saved from the past few years from not nearing their budget and from CC not returning. If they can get him for a not obsurdly high price, then I would love for them to sign him. K Rod, Perez, and Lewis would be a very nice end of game scenerio.
Posted by: the lowercase zach is better | December 01, 2008 at 01:18 PM
And lets not overrate Lewis, he's a nice relief option but he's not that good. He has a tricky windup and good control, but a 90-91 mph fastball and some other decent pitches just aren't dominant. It's time the Indians fans got a dominant closer, especially after dealing with Wickman and Borowski the past few years.
Posted by: the lowercase zach is better | December 01, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Let lewis continue as a set-up man or a MRP. you have to go out and get Hoffman He still has alot of years left on his arm and he doenst blow alot of games. i love how the indians make it seem like they are in serious talks with k-rod "We think the mets have the upper hand" yea because if you offered him anything it was 2 mil for 3 years a very dolan thing to do. Please Larry Just Sell The Team Give It To A Man Who Can Spend Money To Make Money im so sick of cleveland teams becoming stepping stones. put money down and see what happens i bet you win more the 81 games i only wish that cleveland would have let stienbrenner buy the team we would have atleast one ring
Posted by: Tribeguy34 | December 01, 2008 at 09:06 PM