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October 6, 2009Cavaliers Preseason Game 1 – What to Watch For
October 6, 2009Just look at the photo spread above. Amazing isn’t it? Heading into the last two seasons, the Cleveland Indians were darlings of the media, picked by many to win the AL Central, and by some to win the American League. Seems comical now doesn’t it? It is rather sad, but look at some of the talent that will be competing for the ring this October, and you will find yourself looking at a who’s who of ex-Indians.
The 2008 Castoffs
CC Sabathia – Traded to Milwaukee July 7th, the hefty lefty not only willed the Brewers to their first playoff appearance since 1982 last season, but led the American League in wins for this year’s New York Yankees.
The 2007 Cy Young award winner has proven to be an elite starter in every aspect of this level, except for one small thing – playoff success. He gets another shot at redemption as the Yankees game one starter later this week.
Casey Blake – Who would have thought Fakey Fake would have gotten the last laugh? After toiling in obscurity in Cleveland, the poor man’s Mark DeRosa was dealt to Los Angeles on July 26th and found himself playing in October. Blake turned himself into a clubhouse leader and such an indispensable part of the mix that he got himself a three-year, $18 million contract from the Dodgers over the winter. Don’t forget this was a winter that guys like Bobby Abreu and Orlando Hudson couldn’t get more than one year on the open market.
Whoever his agent is, I want him to represent me in my next contract negotiations. Blake now gets a second shot at a World Series title for the NL West champions.
The 2009 Castoffs
Mark DeRosa – When the Indians made their move to snag DeRosa from the Cubs on New Years Day, I was one who thought they snagged the final piece of the puzzle. Turns out DeRosa will most likely be remembered as the guy who got them closer of the future Chris Perez.
The idea was great in theory, but it was doomed from the day GM Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge decided that DeRo would be the third baseman, rather than the second baseman. You know the rest. DeRo made Casey Blake’s D at third look good. With just one year left on his deal, he produced enough at the plate to make himself expendable. The Cardinals, battling with the Cubs for first place in the NL Central and in dire need of help at third, were a perfect match. A month before the deadline, the versatile veteran became the first sign of White Flag waving in Cleveland. Now, DeRosa gets a third straight shot at a World Series title, playing all over the diamond in St. Louis.
Rafael Betancourt – My old buddy “The Realtor” was dominant during the 2007 Tribe playoff run. After a sub-par ’08, he was the only consistent set-up man the Indians had during the early part of the season. With a team option for over $5 million for next season, the hand-writing was on the wall for the righty. So on July 24th, he was sent to the Rockies for A ball pitcher Connor Graham.
The Rockies were hunting down the Giants and Marlins for the Wild Card lead at the time, and a bullpen stabilizer was exactly what they needed. They got just that in Betancourt. In 32 appearances in Colorado, The Realtor delivered with a 1.78 ERA, striking out 29 and walking just five. Our man made himself a lot of money before potentially hitting the free agent market this winter. Not only that, but his team ran away with the NL Wild Card.
Cliff Lee – The second consecutive Cy Young award winner for the Wahoos was sent to the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies on July 29th as at the time, the biggest chip the Indians had to move. While Cliff’s record as an Indian in 09 was nothing special (7-9), he still was dominating opponents and was amongst the AL leaders in ERA (3.14). When it became clear Cliff wanted out and the Roy Halladay to the Phillies deal fell through, Shapiro swooped in and dealt his ace.
He will lead the Phillies staff into the postseason after going 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts. Wouldn’t it be ironic if Cliff faced CC in Game one of the World Series? That has to be Mark Shapiro’s worst nightmare.
Victor Martinez – Ah, “The Stik.” The captain of the Indians, the heart and soul of the team, the only real leader in the clubhouse. How we miss you. Martinez seemed to be the one veteran who wouldn’t be dealt at the deadline as it would be PR suicide. But then the Dolan’s looked at their books and realized PR suicide was worse than losing an additional $7 million this season and $8 million next season.
So on July 31st, a teary-eyed Martinez met the media while packing up his locker from the only organization he has ever known. However, better days were ahead for Victor. Since coming over from the Indians, the praised heaped on him has been unbelievable. He has become an immediate fan favorite at Fenway Park and has been called the team’s MVP by the local media. He has saved the middle of their order, as well as the catching position, since Jason Varitek has fallen off the table.
On the season, Victor hit .303 with 23 homers and 108 RBI. In Boston, he hit .336 with eight homers and 41 RBI in 237 AB’s. As much as I cannot stand the Red Sox, I am rooting for The Stik this October.
Carl Pavano – During the winter, Shapiro was bargain hunting for a veteran starter to fill out the rotation. His search got him to Pavano, who’s reputation as an injury prone diva killed his value as he hit free agency. The Indians took an incentive laden chance of the big righty and it actually paid off for both player and team.
At the time he was dealt to Minnesota, Pavano was arguably the Indians best starter (Lee had been dealt already). He made 21 starts and went 9-8 with a 5.37 ERA. The numbers don’t sound impressive, but he made his bones by beating the division leading Tigers three times, posting an ERA under two. So the Twins, who were right behind Detroit, turned to Pavano.
Now the Twins still have to win a one game playoff tonight, but King Carl is another of the Tribe veterans who could be pitching in October. In actuality, he already has. On three days rest when his team needed him, Pavano pitched into the sixth and got the the win on Sunday, forcing a one game playoff with the Tigers. Ironically, if they win, it will be the Yankees who Pavano will face in the first round of the playoffs.
“It all comes full circle, doesn’t it?” he said.
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I should be noted that these trades produced what could be the core of the Indians roster for the future: Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, Justin Masterson, Chris Perez, and Lou Marson will 100% be playing big roles for the 2010 Tribe. Carlos Santana will be the catcher of future as early as mid-next season and is one of, if not the top, positional player prospect in baseball. Nick Hagadone is considered a high ceiling starting pitching prospect. It remains to be seen what the Indians have in guys like Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, Jason Donald, and Jess Todd.
Other ex-Indians playing in the postseason:
Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Ronnie Belliard – Dodgers
Ben Francisco – Phillies
Ryan Ludwick – Cardinals
Matt Herges – Rockies
20 Comments
This article needs to be posted on flyers stapled to telephone polls all over the city. It’s embarrassing.
I haven’t watched, nor cared about the Indians whatsoever since we traded Vic. I merely read the articles on this site for comic relief.
@Lebron3eb – …and pictures of CC wearing goggles.
sidenote: Wearing Goggles is the lamest celebratory behavior of all time
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Well of course! It does sadden me still to see him in a Yankee’s jersey. Him and Victor will always be Indians to me. I’m still in denial I think.
This article makes me smile cause I still love some of those players, but it makes me sick that they’re not wearing chief wahoo on their caps and pouring the bubly all over THE JAKE.
@4 I think the goggles thing is pretty funny. I love Casey Blake’s style with the Oakley snowboarding goggles.
good god, that’s depressing.
To the 2009 Playoff Teams:
You’re welcome.
Love,
Your Cleveland Farm System.
Hopefully, Santana will become Victor 2.0 to take some of the sting out of the poo-poo platter we got for Cliff Lee.
Baseball is broken. Eventually it will be fixed because noone will be watching except the boston and NY fans. Till then I don’t even follow. It just gives me heartache.
Seeing those guys in other teams gear didn’t really bother me, until I saw The Stick. He has to be up there with Omar, Kenny, and Sandy as one of the greats in the modern Indians history.
I’ll always miss The Stick
This article, to me at least, is an indictment not just of the teammates left behind, but of the organization as a whole. Can you honestly say that you can’t win the AL while you hold those players listed above unless its the responsibility of the coaches, manager, AND owner. I don’t think anyone can. Ever since the Jacob era passed on the Indians, I have gradually lost interest in the Indians. Count it…5 games I watched this year. Next year will start at Zero, and will probably stay that way until convinced otherwise.
You heard it here folks–The Indians just turned this fan who bleeds Ohio into a Fairweather fan. Thats quite an accomplishment. Congratulations Cleveland Indians, you are a terrible team.
nice piece and great comments so far…
For a long time, I looked at small market teams like KC and TB as AAAA affiliates of the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, and Mets. Now I put on my tribe hat, look in the mirror, and it makes me sad… cause we’re now “that” team.
On a side note, I was at Fenway when Victor hit the GS…and yes, I stood up and cheered for him along with the Red Sox fans. I actually stayed standing a little longer too, as some people deserve extra applause. I wonder if the Dolans realize that by trading Vic, they’ll lose more than just 8 million in revenue for 2010. Sometimes you gotta spend it to make it.
While I will technically not be following the baseball playoffs, I will be pulling for the Dodgers and Phils (in that order) solely for our former players. Hell, with Manny, Thome, Casey, and Ronnie, we can almost field half a squad over there!
The same cannot be said for the AL. As much as I love Stik – and I agree with Brendon that he is up there with Omar, Kenny, and Sandy at least on a personal level – and I hope that he performs exceptionally well individually, I will never be able to bring myself to root for the Sox. CC, while I do not fault him for leaving town, I did lose a lot of respect for when he signed with the Yankees. I hate sellouts.
Dodgers vs Phils, Twins vs Angels. Book it.
grady will soon be on there in about a year and a half
[…] clubs on the quest to win a World Series. TD over at Waiting for Next Year had a good post about the former Indians players that the current playoff teams acquired over the past two seasons. Those players are CC Sabathia (Yankees), Victor Martinez (Red Sox), Carl Pavano (Twins), Casey […]
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A Yanks vs Phillies Worlds Series with CC and Lee facing off in game one would be the ultimate kick in the pants to Tribe fans!
You forget pitcher chad durbin on the phillies playoff roster. he pitched for the tribe in 2003-2004