TheSigningBonus
Rookie
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 20
- Points
- 3
Deal 1: Kosuke Fukudome for Abner Abreu and Carlton Smith.
Fukudome is a guy who plays right away, plays good defense, and gets on base. He is not an impact player, but he will be better than Travis Buck, Austin Kearns, Shelly Duncan, and whatever retread they want to throw out there. He also fits into what the Indians are trying to do with the all lefty hitting outfield (sarcasm). The outfield defense with Fukudome, Brantley, Choo, and Sizemore will be pretty darn good, provided the latter two return to action soon.
Abreu is a toolsy guy, who may end up being a decent player, but is not apart of this current window of contention (something that will be discussed at a later time). Smith is a bullpen arm that in my opinion didn't really project to much.
Verdict: I think the Tribe's a winnaaa.
Deal 2: Thomas Neal for Orlando Cabrera.
Neal is probably what we could max out for in return for Cabrera. Coming into the year, Baseball America had him ranked the 7th best prospect in the Giants organization. He has been a doubles type hitter in the minors for the Giants, and gives the Tribe a sorely needed right handed option in the outfield.
Cabrera is a polarizing guy. He is always in the playoffs. He is a great mentor, and by all accounts what he did for Asdrubal Cabrera this year is off the charts. That said, he didn't really have a place on this team. Kipnis needs to play.
Verdict: I'll take it.
Deal 3: Ubaldo Jimenez for The Farm.
I was walking to the movie theater when I got news this deal was just about complete. I was checking my phone all through Captain America (good flick by the way). I couldn't wrap my head around it at the time. In the hours since this all went down, I have read a ton of analysis. I have talked friends off the ledge. Maybe I'm a glass half full kinda guy. But I like the deal. Don't get me wrong, I love White and Pomeranz. But the more I read about Jimenez, the more I like it. He is under control for at least two more years (if this option clause in his contract is transferable, three more). Let me lay some numbers on you: In Jimenez's 10 starts since July 1, he has 63 strikeouts in 66 innings, and a 2.58 ERA. In his last 77 innings he has 77 strike outs and 11 walks. I am in the believing-he-just-needed-some-time-to-get-healthy corner.
Nice Career. Not.
White and Pomeranz project as legitimate Major League number two starters, which is no small feat. They will be good. It will be tough to stomach. Was I secretly hoping Ubaldo would fail his physical? Maybe. But the fact of the matter is we are hoping these two guys come into what Ubaldo is doing. Pitching is such a tough thing to project. Anyone who has ever owned a Brien Taylor rookie card knows what I'm talking about.
And the underlying theme that no one seems to be talking about just yet is the fact that this deal signifies a window of contention for the Tribe. We've all heard that this ownership will spend money when the time is right. After the playoffs in 07, we heard it, and we did add salary. Albeit in the wrong places, we tried. With Jimenez's contract being so club friendly, I think we will be in a position to add the bat we sorely need this offseason. The package we gave up for Jimenez probably could have brought us Hunter Pence. But we would still need pitching. And we wouldn't have enough money to make that happen after his arbitration. Other than that, what bat was available?
Verdict: After much debate, I'm buyin this one.
Fukudome is a guy who plays right away, plays good defense, and gets on base. He is not an impact player, but he will be better than Travis Buck, Austin Kearns, Shelly Duncan, and whatever retread they want to throw out there. He also fits into what the Indians are trying to do with the all lefty hitting outfield (sarcasm). The outfield defense with Fukudome, Brantley, Choo, and Sizemore will be pretty darn good, provided the latter two return to action soon.
Abreu is a toolsy guy, who may end up being a decent player, but is not apart of this current window of contention (something that will be discussed at a later time). Smith is a bullpen arm that in my opinion didn't really project to much.
Verdict: I think the Tribe's a winnaaa.
Deal 2: Thomas Neal for Orlando Cabrera.
Neal is probably what we could max out for in return for Cabrera. Coming into the year, Baseball America had him ranked the 7th best prospect in the Giants organization. He has been a doubles type hitter in the minors for the Giants, and gives the Tribe a sorely needed right handed option in the outfield.
Cabrera is a polarizing guy. He is always in the playoffs. He is a great mentor, and by all accounts what he did for Asdrubal Cabrera this year is off the charts. That said, he didn't really have a place on this team. Kipnis needs to play.
Verdict: I'll take it.
Deal 3: Ubaldo Jimenez for The Farm.
I was walking to the movie theater when I got news this deal was just about complete. I was checking my phone all through Captain America (good flick by the way). I couldn't wrap my head around it at the time. In the hours since this all went down, I have read a ton of analysis. I have talked friends off the ledge. Maybe I'm a glass half full kinda guy. But I like the deal. Don't get me wrong, I love White and Pomeranz. But the more I read about Jimenez, the more I like it. He is under control for at least two more years (if this option clause in his contract is transferable, three more). Let me lay some numbers on you: In Jimenez's 10 starts since July 1, he has 63 strikeouts in 66 innings, and a 2.58 ERA. In his last 77 innings he has 77 strike outs and 11 walks. I am in the believing-he-just-needed-some-time-to-get-healthy corner.
Nice Career. Not.
White and Pomeranz project as legitimate Major League number two starters, which is no small feat. They will be good. It will be tough to stomach. Was I secretly hoping Ubaldo would fail his physical? Maybe. But the fact of the matter is we are hoping these two guys come into what Ubaldo is doing. Pitching is such a tough thing to project. Anyone who has ever owned a Brien Taylor rookie card knows what I'm talking about.
And the underlying theme that no one seems to be talking about just yet is the fact that this deal signifies a window of contention for the Tribe. We've all heard that this ownership will spend money when the time is right. After the playoffs in 07, we heard it, and we did add salary. Albeit in the wrong places, we tried. With Jimenez's contract being so club friendly, I think we will be in a position to add the bat we sorely need this offseason. The package we gave up for Jimenez probably could have brought us Hunter Pence. But we would still need pitching. And we wouldn't have enough money to make that happen after his arbitration. Other than that, what bat was available?
Verdict: After much debate, I'm buyin this one.