Boston outfielder Manny Ramirez recently told the Red Sox if they wanted to trade him, he would only accept trades to the Angels, Diamondbacks, and his former team, the Cleveland Indians. Ramirez has this right since he is a 10/5 man, meaning he has spent 10 years in the majors, the last five with the same team. Since Tribe owner Larry Dolan has said he would spend money when the Indians are contenders (playing a meaningful game on the last day of the season would mean you are a contender), this would be a good place to start.
Ramirez will be just 34 years old next season. He is flaky to be sure, but he is in the lineup for 150 games every year, as he has been for the last three seasons. He doesn’t have any long term injury problems that would scare management. He is not a great defensive player, but he was better than his reputation when he played in Cleveland previously. And he still is arguably the best right handed hitter in the game, with a lifetime average of .314, 435 home runs, and 1414 RBI’s. His lifetime OPS is 1.008, which is an outstanding season for some players. For example, White Sox 1B Paul Konerko had a .909 OPS this season.
Manny would fit nicely into the Tribe lineup as a clean up hitter, batting between Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez. Jhonny Peralta could drop to the sixth slot in the order. While he wouldn’t be a Gold Glover in right field, I’m sure he could play there, and his defensive shortcomings wouldn’t be as noticeable with Grady Sizemore in center. The Tribe could pick up a defensive replacement for Ramirez in the off season.
I’m sure Boston would want significant talent in return, but the more Dolan picks up of the contract, the less talent the Red Sox would accept in return. They are looking for payroll relief more than anything else. Perhaps one good prospect, one borderline prospect, and a guy like Ben Broussard might be enough to return Ramirez to the Wigwam.
On the pitching side, since it is highly doubtful the Indians will resign Kevin Millwood, a free agent pitcher the Tribe should be intersted in is Cardinals’ righty Matt Morris. Morris, 32 in August next season, has racked up over 170 innings the last five years, winning in double figures each of those years, capped by a 21 win season in 2001. Morris also pitched better on the road in 2005.
The big righty’s strikeout rate is a concern, in that he only fans 5.5 batters per nine innings, but he does have a low walk rate as well (1.7/9 IP). Hitters batted .276 against Morris last year, which is a little high, but he doesn’t have to be a #1 starter with Cleveland. He could be the third guy behind C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee.
Barring a trade, Morris might be a nice fit in the Tribe rotation, and at less of a price tag and years on the contract as Millwood.
With the White Sox’ sweep in the World Series completed last night, the Hot Stove League season starts today. Spring training starts in less than four months. Let the roster moves begin!
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 