Browns Injury Update, D’Qwell Still Questionable, Colt Now Probable
November 3, 2012Box Score: Ohio State 52, Illinois 22
November 3, 2012The Tribe added SS Mike Aviles ad C Yan Gomes from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for 27 year old relief pitcher Esmil Rogers. From their press release:
Aviles, 31, appeared in 136 games for the Red Sox as their starting shortstop last season, batting .250 with 13 HR and 60 RBI. The right-handed hitting versatile middle infielder was originally drafted in the 7th round by the Kansas City Royals in 2003 and just completed his fifth Major League season. After being named the Royals Minor League Player of the Year in 2007, he was the Royals MVP in 2008 and finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting after batting .325 with 10 HR and 51 RBI in 102 games. In 475 career games with the Royals and Red Sox, Aviles has posted a .277 average with 39 HR and 190 RBI. He was recently traded on October 21, 2012 from Boston to Toronto in the deal that sent Manager John Farrell to Boston.
Gomes, 25, spent the majority of 2012 season batting .328 (100-305) with 44 RS, 29 2B, 13 HR & 59 RBI in 79 games for AAA Las Vegas. The versatile right-handed hitter also appeared in 43 games in 2012 with Toronto (20G- 1B, 9G- CA, 8G- 3B, 4G- LF, 2G- DH), batting .204 (20-98) with 4 HR, 13 RBI. He became the first Brazilian-born player to reach the Major Leagues with his debut on May 12, 2012 vs. New York Yankees. The Miami, FL native was originally drafted as a catcher by Toronto in the 10th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
While Gomes, being all of 25 years old, is clearly the ‘prospect’ in this trade, Aviles may be the more interesting acquisition. While he’s not a major talent, Aviles was Boston’s starting short stop last season. Not that Boston was any good, mind you. But still, the Tribe just traded for a starting shortstop. Might Asdrubal Cabrera be moved? It makes sense to wonder, no?
Update:
Antonetti said Cabrera is the anticipated starter at short for Opening Day 2013. Adding Aviles not a sign Tribe trying to trade Asdrubal.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) November 3, 2012
I would take this with a heaping pile of salt. I wouldn’t exactly be expecting Antonetti to say, “oh ya, trading for Aviles means we’re totally looking to trade our All-Star short stop. I hope we fleece some teams in the future deal”.
[Related: On the upcoming offseason fire sale]
9 Comments
Wouldn’t be surprised is Cabrera is gone soon. Why not just trade Kipnis, Brantley, Choo, and Santana as well? The Indians love developing players, then trading them for more players to develop…that doesn’t involve winning or consistency
Trading Choo makes sense and if they can address other areas by moving Asdrubal then so be it. Moving him wouldn’t upset me at all. I’d retain the rest and look to move Santana to 1B which means I’d be looking at Napoli or Pierzynski.
Please no Pierzynski….I flat out loathe that guy.
That makes two of us.
You want Napoli to replace Santana at catcher and move Santana to first? That makes zero sense as Santana is both a better catcher and healthy enough to play the position. I would be happy to take Nap as the first baseman or DH though.
Santana is horrible defensively and IMO doesn’t do enough for his pitchers that’s why I’d have an interest in Pierzynski. If Naploi was of interest he and Santana could platoon both at C and 1B.
This trade solves two more bench roles, and all it cost was Esmil Rogers, who was in a crowded bullpen. We have similar guys that can fill that role. I see the Tribe keeping Marson with Gomes as he and Aviles give us flexibility in letting our infielders and Santana DH/rest more often. Canzler will likely rotate between LF/1B/DH as well. Wouldn’t be surprised if we are able to sign Youkilis to play 1B and DH.
sad but true
this reminds me of the orlando cabrera deal. similiar players. won’t help this lineup