The Indians are in the market for a starting pitcher and a right-handed hitting outfielder, reports Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer. While the team is looking for a way to add a number one type rotation piece, Hoynes says that looks unlikely at present.
Adding a piece of the magnitude of David Price would cost Cleveland its best prospect, Francisco Lindor, says Hoynes, and the team is not willing to part with it shortstop of the future. Lower-end arms do not have much appeal, given that the club already has its fair share of middle-of-the-road starters. While the Indians hope that Justin Masterson can return to health and form, Hoynes says that the club would consider dealing the 29-year-old righty in August if he (and/or, presumably, the team) does not perform up to expectations.
Second on the team’s priority list is a righty bat to play in the outfield. With Michael Bourn still dealing with hamstring issues, Ryan Raburn scuffling, and David Murphy inconsistent, outfield help could be useful. Hoynes says that the team is particularly interested in a player who swings from the right side, which would allow for balance to the lineup and better flexibility in late-game situations. GM Chris Antonetti has indicated that the team would be most interested in adding someone who comes with control at least through next year.
Ian Kennedy?
Tommy Milone?
Wouldn’t mind having Milone, or Kennedy. But I don’t see the Padres parting with Ian. Maybe the A’s would like to help us out, since we allowed Kazmir to leave and go to them.
Not a huge upgrade over what the Indians already have in their rotation. And certainly not worth the cost to acquire him given the minor added value
Cole Hamels/Cliff Lee, Marlon Byrd and $$$$$ for a boatload of prospects
Seems more like a move the Yankees would make
If only they had a boatload of prospects…
If the Yankees offered Judge, Severino, Clarkin and Montgomery that would probably be enough to get Lee and Byrd.
matt kemp fits the bill
I am sure the Dodgers would like to send them Dan Haren and Matt Kemp to fill their starter and righty outfielder needs for maybe a couple of boxes of baseballs. Both come with control at least through next year.
maybe get prospects to use to get another starter for the dodgers… maybe james paxton…???
Would you take Nick Swisher, a free pass to the Rock and Roll HOF, and a case of Sugardale hot dogs, instead? We’ll even throw in the buns.
Cliff Lee, Marlon Byrd and a lot of cash for OF Clint Frazier, OF Tyler Naquin and RHP Shawn Armstrong.
Steep price, but the Indians will likely need a lot of cash to take on Lee’s contract. The Indians are also not on Lee’s NTC so they wouldn’t have to guarantee his ’16 option to get him to accept a trade.
Honestly though, not sure why the Indians are looking to acquire at this point. They’re only 3.5 back for the 2nd WC spot, which isn’t a lot, but they’re under .500 again and 8 back in their division. Given the price for potential impact players I’m not sure it’s worth it for them this year.
I’m with you on not understanding the Indians perception of reality in their postseason chances.
From a Phillies perspective I don’t think they will eat ‘enough’ of Cliff Lee’s salary to make it something attractive enough for Cleveland. That said I think Clint Frazier is going to have a meteoric rise up the ”experts” prospect ranking lists. I think he can be a real impact bat in the majors someday.
Depending on the return I could see them eating a significant portion of the guaranteed money and possible ’16 option. Probably upwards of $30M total to get the players I mentioned.
It just makes little sense for the Indians to acquire anything significant at this point.
You’ve got to be kidding, right? Lee is old, expensive, and just back from the DL. Byrd is decent, but also old and expensive, and strikes out way too much.
On the other hand, Frazier and Naquin are part of the OF of the future in Cleveland. Brantley in LF, Naquin in CF, and Frazier in RF.
Brantley’s already there, Naquin should be there within 2 years, and Frazier maybe in 3+ years. And Tyler Holt should be there already, only Chewy Francona has his favorites like Raburn taking up space right now. Murphy will be gone after his contract expires(or sooner), and Raburn should be DFA’d as soon as possible. Keep Dickerson around for now as an extra OF.
I really think the Tribe should just start playing their young guys now.
Given the price teams are paying for upgrades and impact players that’s not a huge ask, especially considering the money the Phillies would have to take on to push a deal through. Just cost the A’s a top 10 prospect and a guy drafted out of high-school a year ago closing in on AA to get 1.5 years of Samardzija and 3 months of Jason Hammel.
It’s not cheap to acquire a front of the rotation arm and middle of the order power bat, young or old. That’s mainly why I said given where the Indians are it doesn’t make sense for them to even consider trying to acquire those types.
I agree that we’re not in the best position to warrant giving away prospects. The A’s are good, real good. And they definitely identify and develop talent better than the Tribe does. So it makes sense for them to go the route they did, although I’m somewhat surprised to see Beane dealing big like this. Not his usual MO.
I think the indians can part with one of their outfield prospects. They have naquin frazier and now zimmer. That is more than enough unless they don’t see Brantley in their future. I think they could part with one and even one of the boatload of middle infielders they have (of course not Lindor). But this team NEEDS pitching, I can’t emphizie that enough. Nobody’s even close in the minors to helping them. They need to get a pitcher with a few years of control. The past two year I’ve watched them twiddle their thumbs and not do a single move at the deadline. They are not much closer now but a glaring need is right in front of them. They need to make a move.
Having just signed Brantley to an extension means our best player is going nowhere soon. I can’t see moving Frazier, who I think will become a 4-5 tool player. Naquin, whom I really like, is a possible trade chip, and Zimmer, although I would rather use Mike Papi, instead. And I would add CC Lee and Tony Wolters into the mix.
But who would you target?
That is a good question. Kennedy would b decent. Has 3.5 era but is on the leaderboard of the nl in k’s. Colon would only make sense because the mets could use a middle infielder and the indians have a bunch of middle field prospects. But they are gonna have to b creative to get a really good starter.
I’m with ya on this one Jeff, and honestly I don’t think I’d even need Naquin in the deal…. gimme Frazier, Sean Brady, and Armstrong for Lee, Byrd, and $$$ and I’d be a happy Phils fan…. but to your second point I also don’t see the Indians making a big move like this.
There is no way the Phillies get 3 times the trade back for lee that they originally received quality wise lee is a shell of his former self with a totally ridiculous contract I pass your request for the Lee / Byrd deal is off the hook outrageous.
Byrd / Hamels / Rollins / Utley / Burnett these are your only pieces that are quality trade pieces that could help a playoff contender or a team on the edge of contending for a wild card spot.
You do realize that Cliff Lee was topping out at 90 MPH and got knocked around pretty good this is not the Lee that can reach back and hit 93/94 when needed right now I would pass Byrd yes very interested Hamels / Byrd for OF Clint Frazier, OF Tyler Naquin and RHP Shawn Armstrong.and we throw in a couple more lower level prospect guys like C Wendle and P Austin Adams. And depending how much of that Hamels contract comes back with him to Cleveland those 2 other prospects may be able to be upgrade to better prospects.
The Phillies to get salary relief to start their semi rebuild will cost them in quality of prospect they receive back.
First start off the DL, I wouldn’t read a lot into that. Besides, Lee hasn’t hit 93-94 in a long time. He’s mostly sat around 90-91 for the last 4-5 years or so. He’s all about command and while that was a bit shaky the other night, like I said above it was his first start off the DL. We’ll know more over the next few weeks.
The Phillies don’t need salary relief. They’re not struggling with payroll or anything like that. The only contracts guaranteed beyond 2015 are Hamels ($22.5M/year through 2018), Howard ($35M including buyout in 2016) and Ruiz ($9M including buyout in 2016). They’ll have plenty of financial flexibility when Price, Stanton and J. Upton hit the market after the 2015-’16 seasons.
You know it’s a weak market when Marlon Byrd is the elite piece.
That’s the biggest downside of the 2 WC. Who wants to sell when there’s a glimmer of hope?
Matt kemp 40% of his contract for salazar and any medium prospect
Will never happen
I’ll take Lee for Carrosco,Marson,Donald and Knapp.
You’ll have to take Ben Francisco, too.
For the outfielder…Denorfia?
How about a Kennedy and Denoria deal for prospects? And maybe, just maybe the Indians can return the favor to the Padres after the disaster of the Ludwick for Kluber deal in 2010.
Ian Kennedy is very wild his ERA is above 3.5 and would most likely balloon to 4 or more in the American league I just do not see him being better than a #3 on a geed American League team where he would not face a pitcher.
Edwin Jackson, plus cash…..and also either Schierholtz, or Sweeney or Ruggiano for anything the Indians don’t want to keep……anything at all.
We’ll give you Nick ‘Vogue’ Swisher and Jason ‘Veteran Presence’ Giambi. And we’ll throw in ‘Chewy’ Francona.
The Indians can get Tabata on the cheap to compliment Dickerson.
Tabata has been overrated ever since he was a Yankee prospect he has no value at all we already have a Tabata in Raburn ( Who has been getting sunburned of late in the outfield ) and the awkward swinging Murphy why would we want another disappointing loser in the outfield Pass.