The Rumors Of Our Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
July 26, 2008Rest of Weekend, Not So Fruitful
July 28, 2008
When the Blake deal was announced did anyone else find it strange that we were sending cash to Los Angeles? As it turns out the Indians are basically paying the remainder of Blake’s salary, or roughly $2.2 million dollars. Does that seem right to you? Apparently, it would have been a deal breaker had the Indians not ponied up the cash. Read this from Peter Gammons–
The reason the Indians were able to get Carlos Santana, a very high-level prospect, in the Casey Blake deal is that the Indians took on all of Blake’s remaining $2 million salary. Several general managers around baseball wonder whether L.A. doesn’t have cash flow problems.
In fact, the Indians and Dodgers had a deal in place for Sabathia with L.A., but it was turned down after being reviewed by Dodgers’ ownership. Could it be that they didn’t want to take on the salary of Sabathia, Blake and Carroll? From Paul Hoynes–
When the Indians were weighing offers for CC Sabathia, the Dodgers were a key player. A deal involving Sabathia, Blake and utility infielder Jamey Carroll in exchange for a package of players that reportedly included Santana, Meloan and at least two others came close to fruition.
If this is true, it sounds like trouble in La-La land. It also is amazing to me that Shapiro was able to get the player he wanted for Blake that he was willing to take for Sabathia. It sounds to me like Mark recognized what might be happening financially over there and struck while the fire was hot. In essence, he bought Santana for $2 million dollars. It would be something if Shapiro ended up signing Blake in free agency after what has taken place this week…
The focus of the Indians shifts from getting the best deal for Casey Blake to trying to find anyone interested in Paul Byrd. Anybody at all-
Clubs that have spoken with them say they’re willing to listen to talks on anybody on the roster and are “open to anything.” But dealing Byrd, the last of their three prospective free agents, is now their main focus. While the Indians have had some clubs scout Byrd’s recent starts, they’ve had so little aggressive interest that it’s probably more unlikely that they’ll be able to trade him before the deadline.
No kidding? Nobody wants a 4-10 junk-ball pitcher with a 5.28 ERA that can’t pitch past the 6th inning? That’s amazing…What do you think Mark Shapiro…
“I don’t anticipate anything happening, but we are not closed for business,” said Shapiro.
9 Comments
If he had somehow managed to give us last years ERA, even slightly worse, we could be able to trade him to a team that needed a 4th or 5th starter. We would have gotten a fringe prospect in return but it would have been better than nothing. O well, I am glad with what we have gotten so far
This is all very positive so far. The real proof will be in what Shapiro does this off-season. So help me if David Dellucci plays on this team next year and their isn’t some kind of infusion of somebody with a more talented stick in the outfield.
Well, I think Dellucci being on the team is inevitable. He is under contract, and nobody would want him in a trade. The Indians would have to eat that deal, and we all know how much that would appeal to them. The only way DD isn’t on the team is if they sign a big name corner outfielder, and I just have a hard time imagining that will happen.
So we pretty much just bought two prospects? How Yankee of us…
Did anybody else read Ocker’s article in today’s ABJ about possibly turning Byrd into a closer? Is it just me or does that sound really far fetched…
Wow Gregg, you’re right I searched for that article- here it is
http://www.ohio.com/sports/indians/25954854.html
That is perhaps the worst idea I’ve ever heard. Would we supply a tee for the hitter as well? Perhaps instead we could ask the opposing team to supply their own batting practice pitcher to use in the ninth…kind of like at the home run derby. It would be cheaper for us and accomplish the same thing.
I dont understand why they havent designated Dellucci for assignment yet. Let Choo, Franklin G and Ben Fran play every day at the corners, maybe get Crowe playing time in September. Hopefully anyone would pick him up (stranger things have happened, the Pirates took Michaels) I think his salary is worth seeing what we have, and what we need.
I don’t understand the article’s contention that Byrd pitches well with men on base. Pitching out of a stretch position doesn’t seem to be Byrd’s strength. That windmill windup of his is what works on the days he’s effective.
I wouldn’t mind Byrd as a long reliever in the bullpen, but closer? No way.
Maybe the Indians can get the cheapskate Dodgers to take Dellucci for free.
Maybe ownership doesn’t mind eating the 2 million since the Indians saved 5 million on the Keith Foulke debacle last year when he was unable to play?