Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com discusses some Tribe topics in a fan mailbag…
- Castrovince thinks Michael Brantley will be in Cleveland by midseason, as the Russell Branyan signing was made with an eye towards postponing Brantley's major league service clock. A strong first half of the season for Branyan could get the veteran traded, thus creating regular playing time for Brantley in left field and Matt LaPorta moving to first.
- Speaking of veterans being dealt, Castrovince says "it's hard to imagine Jake Westbrook, Kerry Wood and Branyan remaining with this club beyond the 2010 season, and Jhonny Peralta's future here is also in question."
- We've heard about Shin-Soo Choo's looming conflict with his South Korean military service and how it may affect his playing career. Castrovince argues that a compromise (such as Choo postponing his service until after his career is over) would work best for both the player and the government. Castrovince notes that the South Korean government might not want to be seen as forcing one of the country's sporting heroes away from playing major league baseball.
- In the wake of Choo switching agents from Alan Nero to Scott Boras, Castrovince reported in a separate blog post that another Nero client in Cleveland (Asdrubal Cabrera) "has no plans" to change his representation. Castrovince also notes that Boras has his eye on Indians prospect Carlos Santana and is "pursuing him hard."
- In another article, Castrovince discusses Grady Sizemore's future with the Tribe. He believes that Sizemore's contract is structured well enough that "the Indians find it difficult to imagine a scenario in which they'd be compelled to deal him to another club in either of the next two years."
The Indians have no pitching. I truly feel that the only way to get pitching, is to trade Grady Sizemore.
Or trade with the Jays!
Or trade with the Jays!
I know you are joking, and I actually think that your joke is funny, but they could actually work something out I bet.
Maybe AA could actually bring some speed and athleticism to the Jays!
Haha well I was a bit kidding and a bit serious, the Jays definitely have the surplus. Maybe even a Michael Brantley trade? He’d certainly fit in on the Jays, who need some athletic outfielders… and his dad used to be their hitting coach.
Actually I was thinking about a potential Brantley trade. The Jays just have a lot of position players on the rise. I mean, if Lind is the DH this season then Randy Ruiz sits…Snider and Bautista (Bautista, really?) man the corner outfield spots with you know who in center field. Overbay (I wish Brett Wallace) will play first (for the first half at least) so there really isn’t a spot for Brantley or anybody else unless Cito Gaston realizes that Wallace or Ruiz should DH with Bautista serving as a super utility role.
All in all, the thing the Jays need to focus on is Pitching, Pitching, Pitching, and Pitching before Athletisicm. Even though I think a Brantley for Brett Cecil trade would be great!!!!!!
Michael Brantley for Brett Cecil? I think Brett Cecil is too valuable.
Yeah, ideally Brantley would take over Bautista’s role in right field IMO, and eventually swap with Vernon Wells for center field if his defense can handle it. Bautista can play the super-utility role as you said. Brantley for Cecil seems like too much, you’re right. Maybe Mills and a lower prospect for Brantley?
Yeah, ideally Brantley would take over Bautista’s role in right field IMO, and eventually swap with Vernon Wells for center field if his defense can handle it. Bautista can play the super-utility role as you said. Brantley for Cecil seems like too much, you’re right. Maybe Mills and a lower prospect for Brantley?
Actually I was thinking about a potential Brantley trade. The Jays just have a lot of position players on the rise. I mean, if Lind is the DH this season then Randy Ruiz sits…Snider and Bautista (Bautista, really?) man the corner outfield spots with you know who in center field. Overbay (I wish Brett Wallace) will play first (for the first half at least) so there really isn’t a spot for Brantley or anybody else unless Cito Gaston realizes that Wallace or Ruiz should DH with Bautista serving as a super utility role.
All in all, the thing the Jays need to focus on is Pitching, Pitching, Pitching, and Pitching before Athletisicm. Even though I think a Brantley for Brett Cecil trade would be great!!!!!!
Michael Brantley for Brett Cecil? I think Brett Cecil is too valuable.
Haha well I was a bit kidding and a bit serious, the Jays definitely have the surplus. Maybe even a Michael Brantley trade? He’d certainly fit in on the Jays, who need some athletic outfielders… and his dad used to be their hitting coach.
I know you are joking, and I actually think that your joke is funny, but they could actually work something out I bet.
Maybe AA could actually bring some speed and athleticism to the Jays!
How about Asdrubal Cabrera for David Hernandez and Jason Berken? 😉
How about Cabrera for Bergesen?
I do love Bergesen, but with all of the young pitching (and total lack of a real shortstop) the Orioles have I think I would have to make that deal.
Izturis has a nice glove, but yeah, with the lack of SP that the Indians have and an abundance of Pitching that the Orioles have, it would seem as though a trade involving one of their young starters would be in place, then again, if they are out of it mid-season, Kevin Millwood and Garrett Atkins could be swapped as well or instead of.
Izturis has a nice glove, but yeah, with the lack of SP that the Indians have and an abundance of Pitching that the Orioles have, it would seem as though a trade involving one of their young starters would be in place, then again, if they are out of it mid-season, Kevin Millwood and Garrett Atkins could be swapped as well or instead of.
I do love Bergesen, but with all of the young pitching (and total lack of a real shortstop) the Orioles have I think I would have to make that deal.
How about Cabrera for Bergesen?
How about Asdrubal Cabrera for David Hernandez and Jason Berken? 😉
The Indians have no pitching. I truly feel that the only way to get pitching, is to trade Grady Sizemore.
Choo’s situation is weird.
I never knew that if Choo, and the rest of the South Korean team, wins the Asian Games, he gets out of his military commitment; that’s some sweet, sweet incentive to win.
If that was the case for Americans back in WWII, Bob Feller would have won 350 games.
If that was the case for Americans back in WWII, Bob Feller would have won 350 games.
Completely different situation.
That is a understatement.
I was being nice.
Alright I guess you are right. My apoligies!!
Alright I guess you are right. My apoligies!!
I was being nice.
That is a understatement.
Completely different situation.
Choo’s situation is weird.
I never knew that if Choo, and the rest of the South Korean team, wins the Asian Games, he gets out of his military commitment; that’s some sweet, sweet incentive to win.
I heard japanese team is not gonna include professional players tht game~ so Korean team is the strongest but not sure yet~ actually many korean dont want Choo left MLB for Military service~
n he can get us citizenship if he wants~ so well see~
getting Gold medal in asian game is the best option by the way~ (20 months to 4 weeks training for the service)
I heard japanese team is not gonna include professional players tht game~ so Korean team is the strongest but not sure yet~ actually many korean dont want Choo left MLB for Military service~
n he can get us citizenship if he wants~ so well see~
getting Gold medal in asian game is the best option by the way~ (20 months to 4 weeks training for the service)
The Indians are stuck w/ Wood. I can’t see why someone would saddle themselves w/ that foolish contract.
Being stuck with a defined back of the pen closer for 2010 (and the chance for his 2011 season’s contract to vest) would be a GOOD thing. Here’s hoping Kerry Wood achieves this goal and another year of a defined closer stays in the wigwam. It’s sort of like being stuck in a mountain cabin with Heidi Klum.. there are worse things than that…
Westbrook, Carmona, Masterson, Laffey, Huff, Sowers, Talbot, Rondon, Carrasco, and Reyes (in a couple of months). Gee, the Indians have no starting pitching at all, do they?
I heard over at a Reds board that they got Sizemore for 4 prospects. Any truth to this anybody?