Off load for ___________________________ ... Trade away ___[old guys]___ for_______________________...
-Teams looking to make additions to their playoff teams are numerous.. teams looking to off load/trade away/etc.. are numerous, as well.. John Paul Morosi, not to be outdone by Heyman.. posts the same unsupported/unsubstantiated non-rumor.. about JRam.. Plesac.. and all the Indians veterans in their last contract year or the CLEFO holds their option of their contract.. All are going to be mentioned as trade candidates..
and have been..
and will be repeated..
The question isn't if they're going to be traded.. (that's inevitable) The question is.. what do the Indians need.. if..
Corner Infielders: If and when JRam is traded.. do the indians need his replacement coming back.. Short term.. perhaps no, but it depends on who that someone is.. Bobby Bradley is swinging hard in case he makes contact.. and he is making contact from time to time.. As he matures and gets more AB's at the ML level.. he should become quite a power source. Perhaps Franmill will dedicate himself to learning 1B during the offseason?... again? Nolan Jones, Gabriel Arias, Owen Miller, Ernie Clement, Yu Chang, Gabriel Rodriguez, and down the road, Jonkensey Noel are all poised to move into the hot corner role.. At least half these guys may be better suited to be 1B'ers..
Outfielders: The current surprise is how well Brad Zimmer is playing.. against everyone including the elite/playoff teams.. He's an incredible defensive player that makes everyone in the outfield better. His offense has been encouraging. The other OF'ers on the roster are, at the very least, flawed in some fashion.. Eddie Rosario, who historically killed it against the Indians at Progressive Field... is hitting like he still plays for the twins (i.e. against the Indians).. Big Harold is a big error maker & O.M.G., if he has two strikes, the pitcher should be fined for throwing the ball anywhere NEAR the plate.. Jet Johnson isn't fast enough to make up for the wrong routes to any ball hit over his head. He's almost comically bad on liners right at him.. His hitting is getting, though. Mercado is a bit timid defensively, imho, but a capable OF'er who can go get the ball nearly as well as Zimmer. Franmill Reyes is not a lumbering oaf in the field.. he can actually play.. and would be an incredible bonus if he could lose thirty or so pounds so that he could become a bona fide RF'er. The Guys coming in the minors all have a chance to be exceptional, both defensively as well as with the stick.. This includes Palacios, Halpin, Greene and Valera.. This small group could be larger and should be if a premium veteran is being dealt..
Pitching.. is the strength of the club.. it's becoming clear that the Indians # 1 need is left handed. Both RP's as well as SP's. Hentges may prove to be a partial answer to the LHRP.. There are several other candidates for LHRP, but, are currently learning their craft in the MiLB as SP's.. That will change.. If a LHP is the primary target in any deal.. the Indians could do worse..
Catching: the number one deficiency in the Indians system.. The ML club back stops are as good as there are defensively.. but, offer next to nothing offensively. Most clubs would tolerate a great defensive backstop as the back up.. The Indians, essentially, have two back up catchers who's hit tool is only a rumor.. The Bart suggestion makes a LOT of sense.. He's not the only 'blocked' C out there.. The Fatboy from the Jays.. isn't worthy of discussion, but, wouldn't be turned away if an Eddie or a Cesar were the only returns..
Thoughts?...