Next week is the Hot Stove League lover’s dream. The annual baseball winter meetings are being held in Nashville. This is where deals are made, groundwork is laid for other trades, and serious negotiations are made with free agents. The moves are made here so the front office people can rest a little during the holiday season knowing their teams are virtually ready for spring training in a little over two months.
The Indians made their first splash of the off season a couple of weeks ago, inking Japanese relief pitcher Masahide Kobayashi to a two year deal, with of course, a club option (a Shapiro trademark) for a third season. Considering the White Sox just signed Scott Linebrink, who is coming off a bad year, to a four-year deal worth $19 million, the Tribe made an excellent signing in Kobayashi. The right-hander, who has saved over 200 games in Japan, will bolster the bullpen, hopefully giving Eric Wedge another option in the late innings. He is also an alternative should Joe Borowski struggle early next season.
Will Mark Shapiro do anything else in Nashville?
Shapiro has gone on record as saying he would be happy to go into the 2008 season with the same group that finished the American League Championship Series in Boston. They picked up the options of Paul Byrd and Joe Borowski. However, I think the GM would like to get another solid right-handed bat, and the Tribe lately has been a stealth organization. They work under the radar. With all of the rumors flying around baseball this month, not one mentioned the Indians were going to sign Kobyashi. All of a sudden, a press conference is called to announce the acquisition. So, don’t take the lack of rumors as proof the Indians are not interested in making a move.
As for the big bat, obviously we have gone on record as saying the Tribe should get Miguel Cabrera. He is the best hitter available, bringing to mind a young Manny Ramirez. The other hitter mentioned has been Jason Bay of the Pirates. My problem with him is his lack of contact. Bay fanned 150 times in 2007, which is too many for a team who ranked second last in the AL in making contact last season. Although Bay would provide more pop than the current group of leftfielders, he will be prone to slumps due to the lack of contact.
Carl Crawford from Tampa Bay should be off the table with the Rays trade of Delmon Young this week. That deal created room in their outfield for Justin Upton, thus they no longer have a surplus. However, Shapiro might look at some role players like a Mike Lamb, who kills right handed pitching and can play multiple positions as a guy who can help out. There are reports the Indians have talked to pitcher Matt Clement, who is coming off shoulder surgery, but I think they should take a look at old friend Bartolo Colon, who is also coming off arm problems. Colon would be a good buy on a one-year deal, and would provide starting pitching depth.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the Rule 5 draft of minor leaguers to see who will be picked out of the Cleveland organization. OF Brian Barton is the most surprising player not protected by the Tribe, but his age (25), being in Class AA, and the fact he regressed a little from his monster year in Kinston in 2006 led to this decision. Last year, the Indians had two players drafted, but they were both returned before the season started. The Tribe’s organizational depth makes them a prime target for other teams.
It might just be a slightly different Indians ballclub a week from now. It’s always fun keeping up with the rumors. At the very least, it will keep your mind off of LeBron’s index finger.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 