Live Blog: Tribe/C.C. Sabathia Press Conference
July 7, 2008Congratulations, This Dude
July 8, 2008Buckle up, Tribe fans. That simple acronym in the title is something that you’re bound to see and hear an awful lot about over the foreseeable future. The missing information on the C.C. Sabathia deal that we’ve talked about nearly all day long – and possibly the most important part – is that Player to be Named Later.
What do we know? Well, not too much. From the (live-blogged) press conference from earlier today, Mark Shapiro has until the end of the season to come to terms on said player. Typically, we tend to case aside all PTBNLs as they’re just throw-ins to even out a deal here and there. But this one could make or break the ultimate assessment of this huge deal.
Who are the possibilities? Let’s take a look…
Taylor Green:
A large portion of the media outlets are saying that said “player” will be third baseman Taylor Green. Green is the reigning minor league player of the year, boasting a very solid batting average over the past two seasons. The down side? How about 11 errors last season. He isn’t a power guy, which would make some think he’d fit right in at the third base slot for us. However, there has already been a bit of grumbling about moving him to the second base slot which could make sense given our lack of depth. In fact, this could be what the team means when they say that they have more “scouting” to do. Could Green handle the switch?
Lorenzo Cain:
A top-20 prospect in the Brewers system, Cain was the 2005 Arizona League MVP. He’s a base stealing machine and is considered to be a “solid defensive outfielder with average arm strength” (per Baseball America). He has recently been called up to Triple-A Nashville, so thoughts are that Cain is a long shot to be the PTBNL.
Michael Brantley:
If you like stats, you’ll love Michael Brantley. He has amazing plate discipline and just turned 21 years of age. In Low-A, Brantley produced a clip of .335/.413/.440 with a walk-rate of 12.4 percent. But similar to Green, he has a severe lack of power – as can be seen by that .440 slugging at low-level ball. The 18 stolen bases sure helps, but do we need another lack-of-power outfielder? His agent says that he has heard nothing regarding Brantley being moved, but in the same post mentions that Green will be a “superstar.” Just some food for thought.
For a little added commentary, Brewers Nation would prefer to give us Green:
On to something I am quite concerned about. Cleveland.com is saying the Player to be Named Later may not be 3B Taylor Green. If it was going to be someone not as good, the deal would become an absolute steal. That may not be the case, however. The blog is saying CF Michael Brantleymay be the last player involved in the deal. Let me say, please no. Brantley has quickly become one of my favorite prospects, and I believe he’s more valuable than LaPorta down on the farm because he is good at everything. With Grady Sizemore in center, Brantley probably doesn’t fit with Cleveland, but I can understand why they want him included in the deal. I just hope the rumor is not true, as I would then think Doug Melvin got swindled in this deal. Yes, one prospect can make that big of a deal in the power balance of a trade.
Intriguing to say the least. Brantley more valuable than LaPorta? If this is any insight to Brantely’s long term value, could a move of Sizemore to left be something to entertain? It would give us our “power corner” position, and perhaps even allow us to move him down the lineup if Brantley can manage to translate his contact rate to the big league level.
Of course, this is all just something to ponder until we figure out who exactly will be joining Matt LaPorta and company here in Cleveland. Just realize that the PTBNL will have a larger impact than you may have believed prior to this afternoon. But also realize that it may be some time before we find out who that ‘player’ will be.
18 Comments
I would imagine that as long as Sizemore is still playing Gold Glove caliber defense 3 years from now, that he would not be moved from his CF spot. But, 4 years from now, Sizemore could be traded or sign elsewhere as a FA, so perhaps Shapiro sees Brantley as Sizemore’s eventual replacement.
Sizemore traded? Oh no you di-dn’t!
Hey all,
This is Jim from BrewersNation. Brantley is considered one of the “Huntsville 5,” a part of the fantastic group of prospects in class-AA Huntsville. Melvin all along said he would not give up two of LaPorta/Brantley/Salome/Gamel/Escobar, so I doubt Brantley is the PTBNL.
Brantley is hitting .324 for Huntsville as the lead-off guy. He has 25 stolen bases and has only been thrown out 6 times. The lack of power is an issue, but he’s only 21-years old. Michael will continue to fill his frame, and the power will come. He already has more home runs in 2008 than he did in 2007. Class-AA manager, Don Money, says Michael is the best player on the entire team. He hits for average, plays good defense, outstanding plate discipline (39:18 BB:K ratio), can run, and is incredibly smart on the basepaths. That is high praise to be called the best player on the team when you’re playing with the Huntsville 5.
Let me just hope Brantley is not the PTBNL. Green is incredibly solid, but Brantley is something special.
You sold me Jim. We’ll kindly take Brantley as our PTBNL. Thanks. 🙂
Haha. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I want to see Brantley in Brewers blue in a couple years.
We’ll trade you Brantley for Sabathia as long as you give us a 2 week window to negotiate a long term extension for Sabathia…….er, oh, wait a second….
Please don’t forget the ludicrous nature of depth at OF already in the Tribe system. Adding LaPorta to that Corner mix is one thing, but adding another defensive CF (Brantley) would be counter-productive to the progression of players in our system now . . . Remember, Gold-glover Grady may actually be the WORST defensively of the CF options: Sizemore, Gutz, Crowe.
Also, Crowe — a former 1st rounder — is a project that is close to the heart for a team who’s received quite a bit of flack for their lack of ability in the amateur draft. Let’s chalk that 2B experiment and the subsequent setback he had at the plate to, um m m m . . . poor management, and continue to look at Trevor Crowe as the lead-off / CF of the future we all expect him to be.
(And –finally — he’s responding: hitting > .500 over the last 3 Akron series!)
Give me Green 4 times out of 5. It only makes sense for the Tribe and their needs in the IF. Now — i’m no scout, but I’ve seen Green play for the Power, and he was as impressive as any player I’ve watched in the Minors in a while.
PS: On power numbers: Gap power in the minors often develops into over-the-fence power in the show. Grady’s total number of HRs in A and A+ on Montreal’s farm (2.5 years): 3.
I think Green would make the most sense as someone we could use sooner than later on our team (be it at 2B or 3B or utility if we stick with Carroll at 2B), but Brantley seems an awfully coveted piece that perhaps we could wind up using in a trade for someone already at the big league level (e.g., a reliable reliever/closer) if he wouldn’t figure into our long-term outfield plans.
Jim was using reverse psychology on us and he really wants us to take Brantley. I see right through your cunning attempt to trick us, Jim. 🙂
Too bad it all means nothing as long as Abbot and Costello are running the show. 6 seasons, 1 playoff appearance. Ponderous.
Can the player to be named later be Sabathia… 😀
Wouldn’t that be great if the Indians ended up being purchased by Mark Cuban in the off-season and then he signed CC Sabathia to an extension?
I already checked and the website name “CubanInCleveland.com” is available. I am thinking of starting it and trying to convince Mark Cuban that a hostile takeover of the Indians is a good business idea.
Would Dirk play the outfield or first base?
Funny…I had Dirk pegged as a catcher… (ZING!)
Why would Cuban want to buy the Indians and run them at a loss? I think you’re missing the point. It’s not that the Dolans don’t WANT to spend the money. They do. If you don’t believe me, look at how much money they spent the first 2 seasons they owned the Indians. They WAY outspent what Dick Jacobs ever spent.
The problem is, in an uncapped system, the Indians’ market is just too small. If they were to spend what it will take to re-sign CC, they would have to lose over $10 million per season. Why would anyone, Mark Cuban included, want to do that? Yes, it sucks that the Indians can’t be competitive for top All-Stars, but that’s the system’s fault, not the Dolans’.
Furthermore, Indians fans are partly to blame. Last year, the Indians tied for the best record in baseball, but ranked just 22nd in MLB in attendance. Average capacity was just 65.6%. Last year, the Indians clinched the division on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon on September 23. The attendance that day? Only 92% full. I’m sorry, but I think that’s pathetic. Or how about Wed, Sep 19th, with CC on the mound and a chance to sweep the Tigers and move 7.5 games in first, with the weather 73 degrees and sunny…..the attendance? 74.9% full. That’s a joke.
I’m sorry if I sound like a front office apologist….I’m all for blaming the Dolans when it’s warranted, but in CC’s case, it’s just not. They made him an offer for the richest contract in franchise history, and he turned it down. The Dolans stepped up and tried. Everyone is so quick to blame Shapiro and the Dolans, but where are the fans? If we want the Dolans to have the profits neccessary to have a $70-80+ million team, then the fans have to step up and start supporting this franchise. I’ve heard fans say for years “I’ll show up again when this team starts winning again”. Well, in 2005 the Indians won 93 games and finished 24th in attendance. Last year, 96 wins and a division crown and nobody showed up.
well said rock, well said
I’m a little late on this and I have no idea if the Indians made their decision BUT for the record Green started out as a middle infielder but was moved to third by the Brewers because they were already stocked up the middle. Which is probably why he had 11 errors last season because he was picking up a new position, whereas moving back to 2nd should be no problem.
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