After losing seven straight games, the Cleveland Indians ended interleague play with a 5-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, and also traded 1B Russell Branyan once again, this time back to Seattle where he played last year, for a couple of minor leaguers.
This should be the first of several roster moves by the Tribe between now and July 31st, the deadline in which any trade can be consumated without needing waivers. The next Indians to go could include 3B Jhonny Peralta, RP Kerry Wood, and perhaps starter Jake Westbrook.
The Branyan deal meant that Matt LaPorta was recalled from Columbus and will be in the lineup everyday at 1B.
Rumors are swirling that OF Michael Brantley is the next youngster to be called up, which means another deal is on the horizon, unless the team decides to DFA Andy Marte.
The guess here is Marte is still around because GM Mark Shapiro and heir apparent Chris Antonetti are trying to move Peralta, which would make Marte the third baseman, at least temporarily. If a deal can’t be worked out, then Marte will be released, thus opening a roster spot for Brantley, who has been hot at Columbus, and is starting to show signs of being able to drive the ball, as his slugging percentage has climbed above the .400 mark.
This is unless both Peralta and Marte are moved and Jared Goedert, who is hitting .327 between Akron and Columbus with 15 HR and an OPS of 988 for the season, takes over at 3B for a look see.
The Branyan move is a no-brainer. One, he is a one dimensional slugger, who strikes out at a high rate, and lately has been hurting the team defensively. After Saturday night’s game, Justin Masterson indicated he thought Branyan should have handled a pick off throw in the fifth which contributed to a two run inning for Cincinnati.
Signing the slugger drew head scratches from nearly everyone when it occured, and giving him at bats at the expense of LaPorta made it look even more strange since the young slugger was the key acquisition in the C.C. Sabathia trade in 2008.
One of the players picked up in the deal could also impact Brantley’s recall. Ezequiel Carrera, 22, is a CF, who last year led the Southern League in hitting at .337. He doesn’t have much power, but does have good speed. He is currently injured with a hip pointer, but when he is ready, he could replace Brantley in center for the Clippers.
The other player is 21 year old SS Juan Diaz, who is hitting .295 with 7 HR and 41 RBI at Class A High Desert in the California League, which is a huge hitters league. Carrera is regarded as the better prospect, but he has limited pop in his bat, although he is still very young and could develop it later. Ironically, Carrera came to Seattle from the Mets in the same trade which brought Joe Smith and Luis Valbuena to the Indians.
Speaking of Smith, can we all agree he needs to go back to the minors? Let’s take a look at Jess Todd again, or anyone else who can throw strikes consistently. In his two appearances since he’s been back, he came in to face a right handed hitter (Jayson Werth) and walked him, and Friday night, he came in after the Tribe scored to make it a 5-2 game, and immediately gave up a solo homer to Scott Rolen, and then four more hits.
Manny Acta said his bullpen has been a trouble spot, but the front office isn’t giving him any help.
Let the trading begin, Mark Shapiro. And Matt LaPorta, the pressure is on you to show us what you can do. You will now have an opportunity everyday.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 