Just when baseball fans started looking forward to spring training, which is less than a month away, Cleveland Indians’ fans had another wet blanket thrown on any optimism they may have had.
It was reported that the Washington Nationals have inquired about dealing for CF Grady Sizemore and P Fausto Carmona of the Indians.
Now, it is true that the Tribe front office can’t do anything about rumors, and the report didn’t say if GM Chris Antonetti hung up on Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo. People who cover the Indians say there is absolutely no truth to these reports, and thank goodness for that.
Coming off back-to-back 90 loss seasons, it would be a slap in the face to any remaining fans the ballclub has to trade it’s best starting pitcher, and a guy, who although hampered by injuries the last two years, is one of the lone power threats on a team without a lot of pop.
There should be no more trades for prospects. If a trade is going to be made, it should yield somebody who can help the major league roster today.
The last two seasons have to be the bottom if there is a future for the current regime. The general apathy in Cleveland surrounding the Indians will only expand if they end the 2011 season with 70 victories once again.
There is no doubt this is an important campaign for the Dolan family, Mark Shapiro, Antonetti, and the rest of the front office.
Speaking of Sizemore, in his absence last season, the Indians had the least productive offense from its centerfielders (mostly Michael Brantley and Trevor Crowe) than any other team in the major leagues.
Yes, Sizemore is being paid a lot of money this season, and no one can be sure if he will revert to the player he was in 2005-08, when he was arguably the best young player in the game, but if you’ve made your mind up to deal him, wouldn’t you want to see if he can come back?
If the management had any foresight at all, they would approach Sizemore about a contract extension based on incentives. His value may never be lower, and he might be interested in some guaranteed money.
Instead, they will wait, watch him have a good season, and then not be able to sign him after the 2012 season when he’s eligible for free agency because he will demand too much money.
If the team really believes it is going to contend in 2012, isn’t a healthy Sizemore a necessity? And if he isn’t healthy, he doesn’t have a lot of trade value anyway. So, there is no logical reason to deal him at this time.
We have written before that if the Tribe wants to shed some salary, they need to assume some of Travis Hafner’s salary in order to move him, particularly for an experienced starting pitcher. The reason behind such a move would be Hafner is not performing up to his contract.
Unfortunately, most of the AL teams have signed DH’s for 2011, so it appears that window would be closed.
Trading productive players because of their salary makes the organization look stupid. Trading players who are at a low in terms of market value is poor business.
Putting a losing team on the field is also a bad way to promote your product.
The Cleveland Indians need to improve in 2011. Trading established players for more prospects wouldn’t be prudent for them.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 