MVN - Most Valuable Network

The Indians will be players in the 2008 trade market

The Cleveland Indians dealt their most valuable chip well before the July 31 trade deadline when CC Sabathia (struck out 10 in a complete game victory last night) was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers for a package of prospects that included outfielder Matt LaPorta. The most costly piece may well be gone, but expect the Tribe to continue making moves as the month heads to its conclusion. With potential prospects believed to be ready to go at some point in 2009 (Matt LaPorta, Wes Hodges, Tony Sipp, Randy Newsom, David Huff), and the Indians ready to take a look at some current Indians in a more regular role (Shin-Soo Choo, Andy Marte, Josh Barfield, Asdrubal Cabrera), there could be a plethora of names that would look good to contending teams down the stretch.

Which Indians will stay or go? It’s hard to say, but the names available may surprise you.

Casey Blake–3B/1B/OF: This isn’t going to be a surprise to anyone. Blake’s contract is over at the end of the year, and at 34, he’s not a guy that figures into the Indians long-term future. His value is obvious, especially as a right-handed bat. He can play multiple positions and is at least average at all of them. He’s a streaky hitter, but when he’s on, he’s a very good addition to any club. He has good power, and can drive in runners in scoring position, and is the kind of guy any team would like to have on the field. If you want a presence in the clubhouse, Casey Blake is the guy you want to deal for. Blake is an uber-utility guy, and will find himself on a contending team before the deadline. The catch is that the Indians place a high-value on Blake, and I know they won’t deal him for less-than-value. The Minnesota Twins seem to be high on Blake right now, but several teams could be in the market for his services, including the Rays, Dodgers and both New York teams. He’s a valuable commodity to the right team, but I don’t see the Indians getting a high-value in return in a straight-up deal.

Jamey Carroll–2B/SS/Util: Carroll is very similar to Blake in a lot of ways. If you need a strict utility player, Carroll will be at the top of your list. He can play all the infield positions, and is an above average defender. He could be more valuable to at team that needs a regular infielder, however. Carroll has proven that given regular playing time over his career, he can produce good numbers. He’s not the guy that starts off in your starting line-up, but often ends up there anyways. At 34, he’s not going to be playing long-term, but he does have a relatively friendly deal for only one more season. The Dodgers were interested in him as part of the Sabathia deal. Carroll isn’t going to be a guy that goes off alone, but as a piece to a bigger deal. Look for Carroll to be that added piece that could make a deal lucrative to the Indians in return. He also is a guy that could go in a deal after the non-waiver deadline.

Paul Byrd–RHP: I would love to sit here at tell you that Paul Byrd has a ton of value right now, but he doesn’t. Byrd is mired in a long slump, and other than a brief stretch in early May, hasn’t pitched well all year. If there’s a team that has injury issues with their starters, Byrd could be had on the cheap. There are no teams asking about him, but that could change as the month progresses. Byrd is also a guy that would likely clear waivers in a deal after the non-waiver deadline.

Jhonny Peralta–SS: Peralta is the most valuable commodity that the Indians currently hold on the major league squad. There isn’t a team that’s going to deal for him for his defense, but that’s never been his forte. It’s Peralta’s above average offense that he can give you from the shortstop position. Peralta is currently playing well, and would be a good addition to any team in need of a shortstop, offense, or even third base. The Dodgers appeared to be the frontrunners for his services, but with Nomar playing well at his old position, I don’t see it happening. The Rays seem to be the best fit for Peralta, who are actively seeking a shortstop. Their first choice seems to be a package to get them Clint Barmes and Brian Fuentes from Colorado. If that falls through, look for the Rays to turn to the Indians. The Rays, stacked with upper-tier, minor league talent, have players that intrigue Mark Shapiro. Peralta is a big chip, and I have my doubts about the Indians dealing him now. My best be would be that the Tribe waits and sees how Hodges finishes out the season, then try and make a trade in the offseason. If someone blows away the Indians now, I see Peralta going, but I don’t see it as likely.

David Dellucci–OF: You can throw David Dellucci into the Paul Byrd category. He does have some clubhouse presence, and can play all three outfield positions. The problem is that Dellucci hasn’t done a thing in two years. The Indians are probably stuck with this guy, unless they can convince a team like the Yankees (not likely after signing Sexson) to take him off their hands for nothing. The Indians continue to play him, hoping that he’ll catch someone’s eye, but don’t count on it.

Ryan Garko–1B/DH: The Indians aren’t ready to give up on Garko, but with some big bangers coming up soon that could potentially play first base, it’s possible that the Indians would be willing to part ways. Garko is really struggling this year, and has worked his way onto the bench for the Tribe. That said, I think you’ll see the Indians give Garko one more shot after this season, to return to his rookie ways. Still, if someone comes to the Indians with a deal that has to include Garko, Shapiro will be listening. He doesn’t seem to be a guy that will help another team now, however, so it’s not likely he’ll be dealt.

Asdrubal Cabrera–SS: If there’s a player that’s untouchable on the Tribe roster, it would have to be Cabrera. I think the Indians would deal him, but it would take a major deal for it to happen. Cabrera talks stalled several deals over the offseason, so I don’t see him being someone Shapiro is going to let go. He figures in to the Indians future far too much.

Jeremy Sowers–LHP: Sowers has probably been on the market for some time. With Fausto Carmona set to make his first start back from the DL next Thursday, Sowers will find himself back in Buffalo. Sowers is having a year as bad as Paul Byrd’s, but having just turned 25, he would be a piece that teams would love to add. Still, he’s a future piece. I don’t see teams looking to add Sowers for a push this year. Look for Sowers to be a piece discussed in the offseason.

Rafael Betancourt–LH Reliever: There certainly is a market for relief pitchers, and Betancourt is available. No, Cleveland probably isn’t shopping him, but they aren’t going to say no either. Rafael is struggling this year, and may need a change of scenery. Remember, he’s less than a year from being the best set-up man in baseball. If the Rays come knocking for a guy like Peralta, Betancourt could be a piece to sweeten the deal for one of the better Rays prospects.

Andy Marte–3B: It’s either Marte or Blake, but I doubt it will be both. I doubt a team will ask for the services of Andy Marte now, because he’s not a lock to do much of anything for the rest of the year. The Indians appear committed to watching Marte for the rest of the season, and he’s slowly starting to warm up. If the Indians are focusing on Peralta in a deal, a team may ask for Marte instead of Blake, although I would fire any GM that would do that. I don’t think Marte is going anywhere, but he’s certainly someone that would go if the deal was right.

Franklin Gutierrez, Ben Francisco and Shin-Soo Choo: These guys would be a lot more enticing for a team than David Dellucci. Gutierrez is struggling this year, but is an above average defender, who could burst out of a defensive slump. I think it’s very possible that Gutierrez could be dealt as a part of a package. He holds a lot of value. Ben Francisco may be a better defender, and is swinging a hot bat. I don’t think he’s untouchable right now, but the Indians aren’t going to offer up their hottest batter. I’m not sure of Choo’s value out there. I know the Indians would deal him, because he doesn’t project to be much more than a #4 guy, but again, he could be a very small piece to a bigger deal.

Really, you could make a case for any pitcher in the pen, minus Rafael Perez, to be on the market. Perez isn’t untouchable, but at that same time, he’s got the best stuff in the pen, and is really the only guy that’s shown last season’s ability. I also doubt they’d deal Kobayashi, although he’d probably be the one guy that teams would want for immediate help. Jensen Lewis is too good to give up as well, even though he’s struggled this year. I do think it’s just a matter of time for Lewis to be a great reliever. I doubt he’ll be going anywhere either. Edward Mujica has pitched well of late, and Tom Mastny has pitched in several different roles, and both could be a part of a bigger deal.

Look for the Indians to be a player in the market over the next two weeks. No, after Sabathia, there aren’t any BIG names the Indians can offer. Should the right combination of players be sought by a team, then the Cleveland Indians could present some intriguing offers.

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 19th, 2008 at 4:21 pm and is filed under Rafael Perez, Ben Francisco, Tom Mastny, Jensen Lewis, Asdrubal Cabrera, Franklin Gutierrez, Casey Blake, Jamey Carroll, Shin-Soo Choo, Wes Hodges, David Huff, Randy Newsom, Edward Mujica, Masa Kobayashi, Tampa Bay Rays, Tony Sipp, Rafael Betancourt, Matt LaPorta, New York Mets, Andy Marte, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, Josh Barfield, Ryan Garko, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, David Dellucci, Jeremy Sowers, Paul Byrd, James Pete, C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland Indians, Jhonny Peralta, Tribe Report. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.