Baseball’s annual General Manager’s Meeting start this week, and so will the hot stove league. The groundwork for trades can be laid down at the meeting, and some may even be consumated. Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti are representing the Indians, who have watched their AL Central brethren already make moves.
The White Sox, Royals, and Twins have already made trades since the World Series ended on Wednesday night. The Sox traded Mark Teahen to Kansas City for INF Chris Getz and cornerman Josh Fields, while Minnesota picked up former all-star SS J.J. Hardy from the Brewers for OF Carlos Gomez.
Will the Indians do anything this week? What should they do this off-season?
The Tribe doesn’t have a lot of payroll flexibility, so they will have to redistribute the cash in order to be improved going into spring training. The Sporting News put Cleveland 30th in their post-season power poll, and for those who are mathematically challenged, that ranks them dead last.
Their priority should be starting pitching, as new manager Manny Acta really has no one he can depend on going into camp. With this in mind, Shapiro is probably looking to move Kerry Wood and his annual $10 million salary, so he can acquire a reliable starter. The Florida Marlins are send to be interested in Wood.
If Shapiro deals Wood for prospects, he should be interested in righthander Jon Garland, whose option was not picked up by the Dodgers. Garland shouldn’t be that expensive, and he has pitched in the American League. He’s also an innings eater, which is something the Tribe desparately needs. Garland, 30, has won at least 10 games the last eight years, with highs of 18 victories with the White Sox in 2005 and 2006. He’s also thrown at least 190 frames in each of those eight campaigns.
The Marlins do have some young, hard throwing starters they may be willing to part them in order to get a closer. Perhaps Shapiro could get a guy like Chris Volstad included in the deal. Acta talked about the need for hard throwers in order to compete in the American League, and the Marlins have used that philosophy for years. They would be a perfect trade partner.
Teams who almost lose 100 games shouldn’t be spending huge money on a closer. Acta can try Chris Perez as his closer to start, and he has Rafael Perez in reserve, providing the veteran gets himself straightened out.
Not to sound like a broken record (or skipping CD), but the other player who should be moved in Jhonny Peralta. His salary is too high compared to the production he has given the Tribe. The reported $4.5 million he is scheduled to make next season can be put to better use.
To replace him, the Indians have Andy Marte, who can play his natural position, or they could go out and get a free agent. Melvin Mora’s option was not picked up by the Orioles, and he might be a good fit.
Mora, who will be 38 next season, hit .260 last season, but is a year removed from hitting 23 HR and knocking in 104 runs. He probably isn’t an everyday player any more, but could be a guy who can play against southpaws, as he has a lifetime .454 slugging percentage against lefties. He can also play the outfield (LF) in a pinch.
The Indians only need a one year stop gap at the hot corner because either Wes Hodges or more likely Lonnie Chisenhall will be playing the position in 2011. If Peralta can be moved for more pitching help, it should be strongly considered by Shapiro.
When Shapiro took over as GM, he said the Indians would be built on pitching. These meetings have to signal a move back to that philosophy. With a limited budget, the Indians need to improve this area, and they can start by re-allocating funds to take care of this problem.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 