The last-place Indians are poised to become sellers this month, and have already cashed in one of their trade chips, in Russell Branyan. Paul Hoynes and Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer discuss potential upcoming moves for the Indians in a series of articles:
- Although the Indians have pieces they'd like to deal, they haven't received a whole lot of interest from other teams yet, writes Hoynes. Unlike in the past couple summers, there's no Indian on the block nearly as appealing as Cliff Lee or C.C. Sabathia.
- Despite their holes in the infield, the Phillies aren't interested in Jhonny Peralta, according to a Hoynes source.
- One scout on Kerry Wood: "He's got a power arm, but I don't like him closing. He walks too many people. But his experience is valuable."
- In a separate mini-mailbag, Hoynes says that Wood needs consistent work to be effective, and that Chris Perez is ready to be the Tribe's full-time closer.
- There haven't been any trade talks concerning Wood, and there hasn't been much interest in Austin Kearns either, according to Pluto.
- Pluto writes that a few teams have inquired about Jake Westbrook, but that "it has to be a compelling trade" for the Indians to move him. They aren't just looking for salary relief.
I have said it before, and I’ll say it again. I think the Indians ought to keep Austin Kearns around. Sizemore’s out, Choo is now out, and they really don’t have any experienced outfielders. If he’s not going to get much in a trade, since he’s not being paid much, since arbitration awards are based on 2 years (Kearns was injured as well as awful last year, driving his cost down) I think they should keep him. For next year too. Rebuilding teams need to keep some of their experienced players around.
Kearns has been sucking it up for the last month batting at the 150 area with ZERO production they should have dealt him when the Red Sox offer a couple High A ballers for him. Shapiro will be sorry for not making this move when he had the chance IMO.
PS Pluto is the most negative writer I have ever read in the 47 years I have lived in Cleveland — everytime he has talked about the Indians over the years it’s always Gloom and Doom with him always has a Indians to put down or bash.
As far as salary down the Indians are on course to have record lose numbers this year it was release that the Dolans had expected to lose 10 mil this year but with the walk up gate being so poor it is now thought that they will lose around 20 mil.
So by moving Westbrook / Wood / Peralta and maybe even Carmona they will end up only losing around 5 mil if they don’t end up eating any contract monies to get the better prospects back in trades.
ALL WESTBROOK DOES IS FILL UP SALARY
why the heck wouldnt you dump his contract if someone wanted him?
Indians front office = morons