The second half of the 2009 baseball season starts tonight, at least symbolically since the Indians have already played 89 games this season. More importantly for the Tribe, the trading deadline is just 15 days away. Will more players be going prior to this deadline, and if so, who should be dealt away?
There are some players who are fairly obvious candidates to go, they being the players who are free agents at the end of this season: Jamey Carroll and Carl Pavano. Carroll would have some value to a team looking for a utility infielder, as he is a solid defensive player and has a high on base percentage. He also has some speed.
Pavano has pitched better than anyone could have expected, especially after his disastrous first start in Texas, when he gave up nine runs in one inning of work. The veteran right-hander would be a nice addition to a contender looking for a back of the rotation starter. Also, remember that Pavano has post-season experience with the Marlins in 2003.
There have been many rumors about the availability of two players who can be free agents following the 2010 season, Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez. The Indians will tell you neither will be traded, but if they don’t think Lee will sign after next season, they should consider dealing last year’s Cy Young Award winner.
Why? Because they will get more in a deal now than they will at next year’s trading deadline because the team that gets him will have his services for an entire year in addition to the last two months of this season. However, you would have to get a major league pitcher in return, preferably someone younger and with potential. The Tribe would also have to get at least two top tier prospects. If they can’t get that in return, then they should pass on dealing him for now.
Martinez has expressed interest in staying and I would talk to him and his agent to see how serious he is about signing a long-term deal. Martinez is the one guy I would portray as a professional hitter in the Tribe lineup. His long-term future probably isn’t behind the plate, particularly with Carlos Santana on the way, but he could fit in at 1B or DH when Travis Hafner’s contract expires.
No matter what, Martinez is a talent worth holding on to.
The other players I would consider moving would be Ryan Garko, Jhonny Peralta, and Kelly Shoppach though I don’t know what kind of market there is for these guys. Garko has been the guy who has been jerked around by management over the years, but he is a 1B/DH type who doesn’t show outstanding power. With Martinez around, and guys like Matt LaPorta, Beau Mills, and Nick Weglarz (who likely will wind up at first) all on the horizon, the future for Garko in Cleveland isn’t looking bright.
Peralta might be an even tougher sell, although he has a better track record. I doubt there would be any buyers as a shortstop because his defensive shortcomings are well documented, and he hasn’t shown enough at the hot corner to have a team completely sold he can play there on an everyday basis. This much is clear, Peralta most definitely needs a change of scenery to jump start his career.
The Tribe owes it to themselves to take another look at Andy Marte, who I may remind you is just 25 years old. Marte is hitting better than he ever has at the Class AAA level, and he has always been a solid defensive third baseman. The organization also has Wes Hodges (a defensive liability) and 2008 #1 pick, Lonnie Chisenhall in the pipeline. Chisenhall is having a very good year at Kinston, and should be moved to Akron soon. Scouts have commented about his smooth swing from the left side. And he will turn 21 this October.
Shoppach had what appears to be a career year last season, and quite frankly doesn’t make contact frequently enough to be an effective offensive player on an everyday basis. He’s a solid defensive catcher, and handles pitchers well enough, so with the paucity of good catchers at the big league level, he should draw some interest. Plus, Shoppach makes an estimated $3 million next season, so moving his salary would also be something that would interest the ownership.
A wild card to all of the trade speculation is Kerry Wood. Wood has not had a lot of work, but he has been a disappointment so far this season. Wood is under contract for at least one more season, and quite possibly two years depending on how many games he finishes. He may be in demand by a contender at the deadline, and you would have to consider a deal if you can get some starting pitching in return, especially after the acquisition of Chris Perez as a possible closer down the line.
The front office has said there is no opportunity to see the team’s top prospects at the big league level unless trades are made for players currently on the roster, so one would have to believe GM Mark Shapiro is trying to get some things done. If not, it looks like more of what we saw in the first half of this dreadful campaign.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 