May 20, 2013

An Open Letter to Chris Perez

August 1, 2012 by 49 Comments

Dear Chris Perez,

I hope this is all starting to make some more sense. The trials and tribulations of a fan base scorned, essentially lied to and perpetually left holding the bag of disappointment, have all bubbled up to the surface in a Vesuvian fashion.

Despite your outwardly vocal and oftentimes unsolicited opinions, there’s a reason why many Cleveland fans wanted you to stay prior to the Major League Baseball Non-Waiver Trade Deadline. 1 This wasn’t due merely to what a sale would signal. Your passion for what you do is only surpassed by the successful level at which you do it; if only we all had a mere two off days in a four-month span. But you see, Chris — I can call you Chris, right? — just as many Clevelanders will gladly chalk up your quotes to a misdirection of athletic frustration, Cleveland fans will gladly admit to doing the same. After countless years of being told that your team would do what it took to compete when the time was indeed right, they stood pat. Again.

[Read more...]

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  1. Me included. Seriously. Look. [back]

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MLB Trade News: Indians Acquire Lars Anderson from Red Sox

July 31, 2012 by 27 Comments

One-time top prospect Lars Anderson has been traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for knuckleball pitcher Steven Wright.

Anderson is 1-for-8 in the big leagues with the Red Sox this season, hitting .259 (88-for-342) with 22 doubles, two triples and nine home runs for Triple-A Pawtucket. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 215-pound Anderson bats  and throws left-handed. The 24-yhear-old was the Red Sox’s 18th round pick in 2006.

Anderson, in 2009, was the top prospect in the Red Sox organization and was drawing comparisons to slugger Anthony Rizzo just two seasons ago. Toting raw power, Anderson is said to have below-average contact skills despite above-average patience at the plate.

Wright went 9-6 with a 2.49 ERA in 20 starts with Double-A Akron. He struck out 101 and walked 62 in 115 2/3 innings. He was the subject of a piece by MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince wherein the player attempted to reinvent himself following the advice from former Cleveland Indians hurler Tom Candiotti.

[Related: Examining The Tribe Free Agent & Trade Offseason Misses]

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Trading Choo: The Pros and The Cons

July 30, 2012 by 23 Comments

After a lost weekend in Minnesota, the Indians brass has to know that reality has set it. It is time to reel it back in and regroup. This season is all but lost and the future must be attended to. They have little to no organizational depth in AA and AAA in terms of high impact players. GM Chris Antonetti has perhaps the biggest trade chip on the market in terms of a hot bat in the form of outfielder Shin-Soo Choo.

Now before you all start your “I will never show up to another game if they trade away a fan favorite in his prime” bit, it is important to remember what the Indians are. They are a team that can never afford to keep any of their own star free agents once they hit the market for the first time. Its sad, but its true. Its not like this should be news to any of you. CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, and Victor Martinez were the most recent cases that we are all familiar with. Choo will soon be added to that list.

The real question is when is the best time to trade Choo? Do they think they are better off with him for one more year, hope they can contend in 2013, and then decided what to do with him at this point next year?

There are pros and cons for both sides of sending Choo packing in the next 24 hours. [Read more...]

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“All-In” A Year Ago, Tribe Faces Uncertainty As Trade Deadline Approaches

July 23, 2012 by 33 Comments

Note – no weekend recap today. We all saw the carnage. Hard truths need to be examined. I am just the guy to take on the task. 

Reality has finally set in, Tribe fans. The team that has been up, down, up, and down again, has fallen under .500 for the first time since the middle of April after losing three straight to Baltimore over the weekend. Here is the thing – this is who they are, an average team capable of losing eight of nine or winning eight of nine. They have so many flaws. The starting pitching is completely inconsistent from start to start. The bullpen has exactly three guys you can count on. The order is too left-handed heavy and gets little to nothing offensively from both corner infield spots, left field, and DH. You have an underachieving catcher who was supposed to become one of the best in the league this season.

Read all of that, and its incredible to think they have been over .500 this long. [Read more...]

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MLB Trade Deadline: The Cost of the “Wait and See” Approach

July 19, 2012 by 48 Comments

Late last week, while delivering his State of the Fan-Friendly Union, Cleveland Indians team president Mark Shapiro could not help but field questions about the upcoming MLB trade deadline. Sure, lowering the price of concessions and making Progressive Field more accessible are all well and good, but what about the product said (hopeful) increase in paying fans would ultimately view upon arrival? Shapiro was quick to shoot down any notion that a lack of activity in terms of consummated deals by no means signals that the team has unplugged their telephones and will head into the autumn months with their eyes closed and fingers crossed.

The desire to improve, and the knowledge that said improvement is necessary in order to achieve the ultimate goal, is there. The means to do so, however, remains the largest hurdle of them all.

Four weeks earlier, leading the AL Central at the time, the Chicago White Sox took a gamble on a much-maligned, aging veteran who was known of more recently for his role in a fried chicken and beer scandal. Since rolling the dice — paying the price of two prospects and $2 million of a $7.8 million contract — on a player who had been hampered by a plethora of injuries the past two-plus seasons, the rich have merely gotten richer as the 33-year-old Kevin Youkilis has seemingly put his back injuries behind him, turning his .233 average into one more Youk-like; the All-Star has hit .319 with an OPS of .965, adding four home runs, 18 runs batted in 1 , and a slew of web gems at the hot corner since swapping Red for White.

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  1. Several of the game-tying or game-winning variety [back]

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The Case for Trading Chris Perez

July 9, 2012 by 53 Comments

Jason Miller / Getty Images

Those of you who are new around these parts might take this piece as a bit of an over-reaction to Chris Perez’s blown save against the Rays heading into the All-Star break.

So let me reassure you: I’ve wanted to trade Chris Perez for some time now, it’s just that no one would listen to me what with the long hair and the Prodigy song and the overall ninth inning dominance he’s displayed this year.  This is my one chance to at least make the argument before you throw me off the internet for good. Here are five reasons to trade Chris Perez before the July 31st trade deadline.

Closers are, in general, over-valued by MLB teams, meaning the Indians might be able to extract a player whose actual value surpasses Perez’s.  This is pretty straightforward really, and doesn’t have anything to do with Chris Perez in particular.  Perez happens to be a closer.  A lot of teams think that closers are worth a lot.  Voila!  It should go without question that a good position player is worth several times what a good closer is worth in terms of wins added to a team.  Nonetheless, every year we see a team in contention who’s had a rough run of luck in the bullpen pony up a reasonably high price to add a power arm to the back of the bullpen.  If the Indians could add an effective everyday left fielder for Chris Perez, I’d do it in a heartbeat.  There is no bullpen arm for which this statement should ring false.

Chris Perez, in particular, will likely never have a higher trade value than he has right now.  [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting… MLB Trade Deadline Deals, Gee’s Value, and Masterson’s Regression

July 9, 2012 by 2 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

Let me remind you that the biggest difference maker down the stretch for the playoffs last year was Doug Fister, a trade that barely made a ripple among deadline deals (in terms of attention), but made a huge impact in the AL Central race as he posted a 1.79 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP for the Tigers after he went from Seattle to Detroit.  Most thought that Fister would slot in behind Verlander, Scherzer, and Porcello last year and that his real value was in the control that the Tigers would have over him (which is still true), but Fister was masterful once he got to Motown and his arrival played a HUGE part in the Tigers running away with the AL Central last year.  So while big names may be out there and are certain to make an impact, the Indians should perhaps (after searching out that bat) try to find that Doug Fister-type player, whose acquisition may fly under-the-radar for some, but may be just what the Indians need in terms of strengthening and lengthening their rotation.” [Paul Cousineau]  [Read more...]

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Kevin Youkilis Traded To White Sox

June 24, 2012 by 3 Comments

Well, that didn’t take long. One day after another public spat with manager Bobby Valentine, albeit fairly benign, the Boston Red Sox have traded Kevin Youkilis to the Chicago White Sox. Youkilis has been hampered by injury the past two seasons and his numbers had declined significantly. There was little room for him in the Red Sox plans with the emergence Will Middlebrooks at third, David Ortiz entrenched in the DH spot, and Adrian Gonzalez locked in at first base.

The Indians were once thought to be potential suitors for Youkilis if he were to go on the market, but those rumors faded and this weekend Ken Rosenthal was told that the Tribe was a “longshot” to land him. It was a rough weekend for the Tribe bats, scoring just two runs against two Houston left-handed starters. Youkilis was a potential target to fill the need for a right-handed bat, but certainly not an ideal option.

The White Sox seemed to have the inside track and they completed the deal before the weekend was out, sending right-hander Zach Stewart and utility man Brent Lillibridge to Boston.

[Related: What About Soriano To The Indians?]

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While We’re Waiting…Indians Land Ubaldo Jimenez, Colt McCoy in the AFC North

July 31, 2011 by 4 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com

Going all in: “To question how Ubaldo fits into the Tribe’s rotation (or any rotation) is akin to insanity, but it doesn’t dismiss the idea that there are very real reasons to be wary of Jimenez – from Colorado’s still-unknown reasons for making a 27-year-old “ace” available, to reports that the Yankees backed away from the Ubaldo sweepstakes when they were allegedly stonewalled in their attempts to obtain medical reports.

That said, the Indians’ Front Office – oft-maligned for their inactivity, their proclivity to sell “tomorrow” instead of “today”, and crucified for “unmet” promises – weighed the risks in acquiring Ubaldo (and there are many) and parted with their two prized arms, with one having already contributed to the parent club and with the other one following the same fast track. In giving up Pomeranz and White, the Indians are gambling that the performance of Jimenez over the next 2+ years is enough to balance out the club control that they held over Pomz and White, and the potential that each arm contained.” [Paul Cousineau/The DiaTribe]

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While We’re Waiting…Colt McCoy’s Future, Tribe Rotation Questions and Deadline Deals

July 10, 2011 by 2 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com

How long is Colt McCoy’s leash in 2011? “But there is something else that will be hanging over the heads of the Browns in 2011 and that’s the 2012 NFL Draft, specifically the #1 overall pick. At this point, it’s a foregone conclusion that Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, about as “can’t miss” a prospect as you will ever see, will be chosen first. If the Browns spiral down into oblivion, there will be an opportunity to draft Luck.

Does that mean the Browns give up on Colt McCoy after only one season? And what do you do if he plays relatively well and the opportunity to draft Luck is still there? The Browns are going to have to determine this season if McCoy is a quarterback that can lead them to a Super Bowl – it’s a decision that will affect the franchise for years to come.” [Steve DiMatteo/Dawg Pound Daily]

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While We’re Waiting…Asdrubal Cabrera to Start MLB All Star Game, Massaquoi in Jeopardy, MLB Trade Market

July 9, 2011 by 6 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com

Asdrubal is your ASG starter and his predecessor Jhon Peralta now joins him on the team – amazing: “Asdrubal Cabrera is where he belongs. Cabrera will start at short stop for the American League at Tuesday NIght’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game after Derek Jeter, voted to the starting spot by the fans, pulled out of the game due to injury. Jeter returned earlier this week from a 3-week stint on the disabled list with a calf injury. Jeter has also been worn down by his quest for 3000 hits.” [John Bena/SB Nation Cleveland]

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MoMass being edged out? “The numbers however are a bit misleading, Massaquoi has disappeared for games on end and has lacked any real consistency, while Robiskie finished the 2010 season visually and statistically more impressive.  The end of last year, for Robiskie, has not gone unnoticed by second-year general manager Tom Heckert…Down to one spot left on the roster. Since Cribbs, Little, Mitchell, Haggerty and Norwood all seem to be in favor of the Browns’ brass, this leaves a choice between Massaquoi and Robiskie to fill that final spot.” [Samuel Ingro/National Football Authority]

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Some (Very) Early Thoughts on the MLB Trade Market

June 29, 2011 by 47 Comments

For several years now, the MLB trade season has been met with something between apathy and dread in Cleveland —both springing from the resignation that the Indians would again be “sellers,” trading any assets they had to reload the farm system for a new cycle of contention.

This season is shaping up a bit differently.  As the team continues to hang around in the weak AL Central, there is a growing sentiment that not only should the Indians not be sellers, but they should be actively looking to acquire short-term assets that can help the team win now, even at the expense of some of the young players and prospects currently moving through the system.

Today let’s examine some of the approaches to this year’s upcoming trading melee, as well as the consequences of each. [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting…King Cribbs, Anger over anti-LBJ sign, NBA Franchise tags

August 1, 2010 by 2 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com

Face of Cleveland sports: “Josh Cribbs, the new king of Cleveland, declines the title, but would be cast in the role…He is, perhaps most of all, the anti-LeBron James. Cribbs is the dynamic player who was absolutely tremendous throughout the past season, never quitting or coming close to it, always giving his all. He said he wanted to stay here, although his contract did not reflect his value to the team. When that was rectified, he not only stayed, but gave the dejected city a hug.” [Bill Livingston/Plain Dealer]

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While We’re Waiting… The Cyclone, MLB Trade Deadline and New LeBron VII’s

June 4, 2010 by 8 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com

We finally have a name for the offense that features Josh Cribbs, Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace.  Behold, “The Cyclone.”  “That was the first I had heard about that,” Wallace said. “That could be dangerous. Hopefully, they’ll stick to their word and all three of us can get on the field together.” [The OBR]

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Jay Mariotti is Wrong Even When He is Right

August 3, 2009 by 17 Comments

Any week where I get an opportunity to address Jay Mariotti is a good week.  I don’t like Mariotti’s work.  I think he is almost always the last one to the party when it comes to opinions.  His articles are generally the equivalent of bashing George W. Bush.  Not wile he was in office, mind you, but today.  On top of that, Mariotti writes from the very tippy top of the mountain of morally correct certainty.  He is decisive in his condemnation.  That could be a good thing, if he didn’t drone on for thousands of words hammering home the same punchline again and again in the same story.

Today I was reading his story entitled “Selig Must Investigate “Quittsburgh” Mess.”  First things first, Jay.  If the term “Quittsburgh” is going to appear in your story as a punchline, then you shouldn’t use it in the title of your story.

I digress.   [Read more...]

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Were the Tribe Actually Winners?

August 1, 2009 by 12 Comments

I have been reading a lot about the Indians’ trades over the last couple days.  I realize being a fan first that I might not be totally fair to the Indians organization right now.  Don’t get me wrong.  I am still livid that the team resigned itself to a third place finish in the AL Central next year at best.  But now, it is time to look forward.  I am not really going to dump this team.  I may go to less games next year, but I will certainly watch them on TV.  I might even head out to the great minor league parks in Lake County, Akron and Columbus to check out some of these newly acquired players.  Now that the deadline has passed, here are what some of the experts are saying about the Indians.

First up is Ted Keith at CNNSI.com.  Keith doesn’t actually name the Indians as a winner or a loser, but some of the comments about the Tribe’s trading partners is instructive. [Read more...]

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What Do We Want For Blake?

July 24, 2008 by 14 Comments

As the trade deadline looms, baseball writers everywhere have been consuming themselves with the seemingly endless list of players that could be on the move before it is all said and done.  Since dealing CC Sabathia, the Indians have fallen out of the trade spotlight a bit, since names like Matt Holliday and Mark Teixeira have vaulted to the top.

But while we do not have any power sources like the two aformentioned, we do have a few names that have apparently continued to stir interest among the MLB ranks.  From Tim Brown’s recent article at Yahoo!:

After moving Sabathia, the Cleveland Indians remain in sell mode and are listening to offers for Blake, Paul Byrd and Jamey Carroll, and they could be convinced to discuss shortstop Jhonny Peralta. [Read more...]

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