It is amazing how dates like this can sneak up on you when your expectations are nil. The Indians were semi-active last season in free agency. They went out and signed Mark DeRosa, Carl Pavano, and Kerry Wood. This season? Not so much. At this point, it is tough for me to even sit here and tell you what the Indians’ needs are. I know the Tribe could use a lot of proven players in a lot of positions. Then again, they are so filled with youth and prospects all over the field that you never quite know when you will want a veteran to just get out of the way. Unless that veteran is David Dellucci. I always wanted him to get out of the way.
According to Anthony Castrovince it might not be all quiet.
That’s not to say the Indians don’t have needs and won’t investigate opportunities. Coming off an ‘09 season in which it finished in a tie for last place in the AL Central, the Tribe would certainly benefit from the addition of some veteran leadership and proven starting pitching.
And by proven starting pitching, I am looking squarely at a guy like Todd Wellemeyer. I don’t have any kind of inside information or anything, and Wellemeyer might end up being too expensive (if you can imagine.) He is the type of player I expect the Indians to get. Wellemeyer is 31 years old. He has been mostly a starter over the last two years and has had a combined 20-19 record over the last two years for the Cardinals. According to ESPN his 2009 salary was just over $4 million. I could see the Indians finding someone like that to man the 3rd or 4th spot in the rotation.
Now everyone don’t run each other over on your way to the ticket counter!
Author: CraigLyndall
Craig Lyndall has been writing about all the Cleveland sports teams at WaitingForNextYear since September 2008. When he isn't, you can find him selling insurance or playing music. Follow WFNYCraig on Twitter.Craig Lyndall has written 338 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
Better get this up before the inevitable sturm und drang begins….
If veteran leadership was a priority at all for this team, then Vic should never have been traded. My feeling is let’s throw as many youngsters out there as we can and see what they’ve got. Why bother tying money up in elderly journeymen when we have no shortage of prospects to draw from? Let the Dolans save their cash for now and see if the kids gel together, maybe get a foundation started for 2011 when a free agent or two might actually have some kind of impact on wins and losses. It’s going to be a long season regardless (literally and figuratively speaking), so let’s at least try to make it productive.
Didn’t the Tribe acquire DeRosa by a trade?
Wellemeyer, we only want him is he’s a grinder.
“Baseball Free Agency Starts Friday”
I’ll take “Things that don’t involve the Cleveland Indians” for $500, Alex.
#3 FTW!!! lol
Not that anything B-Bo says is anything other than self-proclaimed “sturm and drang”. Sorry dude, poor attempt at pre-empting dialogue.
Why even discuss free agency in respect to this organization? Haven’t your observed their propencity to sign injured veterans for one year deals? Check that list and you’ll find your free agent prospects.
Ahh, Isis… if only most of what you posted fell under the category of “dialogue” as opposed to “confrontational know-it-all-ery”…
You know, I first saw this and was thinking a veteran pitcher, but I kinda agree with B-bo here. Lets see what these kids, and this new coaching staff have. We aren’t going anywhere fast this season, so mine as well try to see what you have and get a competitive team going into 2011 (because this is what they would be doing anyways even with a vet come June)
Who actually writes “sorry dude”?
Dude, nullster, I know, bro–that’s so, like, weak and stuff, right?
Always a pleasure to hear from you, Isis. I do enjoy how you consistently dodge any attempts at intelligent dialogue, particularly when anyone challenges your opinion (book THAT, “dude”)–I mean, THE FRIENDLY AND PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS YOU ARE ALWAYS AN INTEGRAL PART OF. For the record, I wasn’t trying to pre-empt any dialogue, just you the demagogue–but kudos for jumping in anyway. You may now go back to your interweb chest-thumping.
So what’s the count til spring training?
I’d be shocked if they even added a journeymen starter. If anything, they will probably cut more payroll.
Was it only 10 years ago when Indian tickets were the hot Christmas gift and the season was sold out by New Years Day? Your more likely to see Santa Claus delivering presents on a triceritops than that ever happening again…
BAMM!!
“Why even discuss free agency in respect to this organization?”
Umm, yeah, so did you even read the post? That is pretty much what I said.
@DP: Hahahahaha, so well done. Nice work!
@DP: Well I’ll be damned. I guess I’ll put in an order on those season tickets and get ready to see Laffey start Opening Day..