Tag: chris perez

On Perez and the Cavs Getting the First Pick

Just a couple of observations on the Cleveland sports scene—

Chris Perez and Twitter

The Indians’ closer had a tough series against Seattle, allowing two home runs on Saturday to turn a 4-2 lead into a tie game, which the Tribe won in the bottom of the ninth, and he allowed another bomb on Monday, which gave the Mariners a lead in a contest Cleveland also won.

Apparently, that gave the fans that follow Perez on Twitter to start blasting him.  A little Internet muscle for those fans who wouldn’t say those things to his face.

This isn’t about Perez’ performance, which has generally been very good since assuming the closer role in 2010.  Although, we will say that a closer who gives up home runs doesn’t last long and CP has given up four (five if we count the blown call vs. Oakland) in 16 innings, not a very good ratio.

To be fair, those are the only runs he has allowed this season.

We don’t follow any professional athletes for this reason.  First, they are people just like us, and whatever comments they want to make on the social networking site aren’t more interesting because they are professional athletes.

And second, there is no temptation to make stupid comments to those players after watching a game and being upset with the outcome.

Again, these people wouldn’t say the things they tweet if they met Perez, and just because he’s an outspoken guy doesn’t mean he should be ripped to shreds or booed when he doesn’t succeed.

Actually, he speaks the truth much of the time.  Fans should support this team better.  They have blind loyalty to a mediocre football organization, but hold the Indians’ lack of success against them.

Whatever his performance on the field is, and regardless what he says about baseball in Cleveland, the things tweeted to Chris Perez were out of line.

Cavs Get the First Pick in the Draft

Wish we could be more excited about this news, but since there isn’t a franchise type player available this year, it’s the same feeling about having the third or fourth overall selection.

Obviously, it is better to have the first pick, because it has the most value.  Perhaps another team thinks a player like Ben McLemore or Nerlens Noel is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and would be willing to deal to move up.

However, that’s probably not going to happen, but GM Chris Grant should keep his ears open to listen if anyone comes forward to trade.

The Cavs have publicly stated their intention to not be in the lottery next season, and to make that come true; they need more help than just that available in the draft.

Grant has a lot of draft picks at his disposal to help sweeten the pot.  Besides their own picks, they also have first round picks from Miami and Sacramento (maybe) over the next few years.

Plus, they also have salary cap space, which with the new collective bargaining agreement is something precious to teams above the cap, who don’t want to pay a prohibitive salary cap penalty. 

Having the first overall pick in a draft is valuable only if there is someone available that other teams covet. 

Right now, the Cavs are like a guy trying to create a market for a $1000 bill in a room full of millionaires.

MW

Here’s What Tribe Won’t Do.

There is plenty of speculation on whether the Cleveland Indians will be buyers or sellers when the major league trading deadline comes around at the end of July.

Most likely, because of the division they are in, they will look to add to their current roster to stay in the AL Central Division race.  It looks very much like around 85-88 wins will get you a division title and a trip to the playoffs.  That means if they hang around the .500 mark for another month, which isn’t that absurd, they will definitely be in the thick of it.

It is funny to hear talk show hosts speculate on who the Indians would deal in order to improve the team.  Here is a partial list of players who aren’t going anywhere.

Chris Perez
In the off-season, this was a possibility and one that was suggested here and by others.  Now, it would be idiotic to deal a guy who is having a very good season, probably getting another All-Star berth.

Perez and Vinnie Pestano, another player it would be silly to deal, represent the only reliable pitchers currently in Manny Acta’s bullpen.  If it seems like the Indians can only win when the duo pitch, it should.  Perez has saved 10 of the last 13 victories for Cleveland.

When the Indians have the lead after seven innings, it’s a solid bet that Pestano and Chris Perez will close it out for the Tribe.

Any of the Indians Solid Hitters.
It makes no sense for GM Chris Antonetti to deal one of the few players currently hitting on the ballclub.  This would mean SS Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B Jason Kipnis, CF Michael Brantley, and RF Shin-Soo Choo.  Especially because all of them will be back in Cleveland for the 2013 season.

Think about it, it really doesn’t help the team by trading a player who is productive to fill another hole.  That is unless there is someone to take that player’s spot.

For example, if someone was interested in Jack Hannahan (probably there isn’t a big market for him, no offense to him), you might consider dealing him because you have Lonnie Chisenhall.

Let’s say Antonetti dealt Choo for a right-handed power hitter.  Who plays rightfield?

The object of a deadline trade is to strengthen the team as a whole, not fill one spot by creating another.

Trade Francisco Lindor
Last year, Antonetti dealt two of his best pitching prospects to get Ubaldo Jimenez from Colorado.  We can debate the merits of the deal for hours, but unlike the time the Indians traded back-to-back Cy Young Award winners, they will not trade their top prospect two consecutive years.

So-called experts who talk about trading the shortstop currently at Lake County, are showing they are idiots.

Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein saw Lindor in spring training and said in a few years, people will wonder why he wasn’t the first player taken in last year’s draft.  He’s playing and succeeding (making the Midwest League all-star team) in a full season league, and he won’t turn 19 years old until November.

Besides, the player you likely will get in any deal this year will be an older player (early to mid 30’s) who can still contribute.  You don’t trade a player with Lindor’s future to get a guy like that.

Antonetti is looking for a right-handed stick (a familiar need) and some help for his pitching staff.  The Tribe have some useful players in the minor leagues to get some veteran help.

However, he is unlikely to disrupt his major league roster or trade a guy like Lindor to help get players of that ilk.  It’s simply too high of a price.

KM