M's, Tribe leaders for Willingham?

[Adverb Harry]

Now that some of the dominoes have fallen (Cuddyer and Willingham are off the table), the talk on the articles and sources I've read seems to suggest that, at this point, our internal options (Duncan, etc.) are pretty comparable to what's left. That, and with the trade market demands apparently insanely high, good external options are apparently drying up, as well. So, they may actually just hold off and re-evaluate the trading market after next season unfolds. As painful as it sounds, that may be our only real option at this point. Can't trade for someone if the other teams aren't receptive or reasonable, no matter how much you want to get it done.

Still, it's early enough that things could change, but I really expected the winter meetings and subsequent signings would build some momentum toward a move or two, and that doesn't appear to be the case at all.

Bottom line: when a team this flawed only has 3 million bucks to spend without shedding an existing contract, you're already up shit creek without a paddle.

[e0y2e3]

No, as a policy I don't post things the board eats.

[motherscratcher]

That kind of a weird pointless policy but OK.

[pup]

Now that some of the dominoes have fallen (Cuddyer and Willingham are off the table), the talk on the articles and sources I've read seems to suggest that, at this point, our internal options (Duncan, etc.) are pretty comparable to what's left. That, and with the trade market demands apparently insanely high, good external options are apparently drying up, as well. So, they may actually just hold off and re-evaluate the trading market after next season unfolds. As painful as it sounds, that may be our only real option at this point. Can't trade for someone if the other teams aren't receptive or reasonable, no matter how much you want to get it done.

Still, it's early enough that things could change, but I really expected the winter meetings and subsequent signings would build some momentum toward a move or two, and that doesn't appear to be the case at all.

Bottom line: when a team this flawed only has 3 million bucks to spend without shedding an existing contract, you're already up shit creek without a paddle.

Then that team probably should be selling and not buying...

They mortgaged 2015 to strengthen 2011, 2012, and 2013. But they sure as hell did not strengthen them enough. So if you were out of resources with one move, that was a pretty GD stupid move. A move, BTW, which I was 100% in favor for as a direction for this team. I was in favor of it because it showed a new direction and the continuance of that direction was to add the necessary pieces to augment it. NOT TO DECIDE AGAINST IT BECAUSE A GUY THAT ADDS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT NEED OF THE TEAM MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD DEFENSIVE LF OR BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO GET A THIRD YEAR. Well, no shit. If they did not think Willingham/Cuddyer were going to get longer than 1 year deals, they are as stupid as I portray them to be.

[motherscratcher]

^^^^this

I agree with Tony, but the fact remains that they opened a window with the Ubaldo trade that will be closing in a few years. If they weren't taking a shot, then they should not have made that trade. And I too was all for it.

I don't know what trades or improvements could have been/could be made. But I'm not the GM of the Cleveland Indians, a team that apparently went all in before the flop and is now folding before the river.

There's only one thing I know. This team, right now, is not good enough.

[Kingpin74]

Now that some of the dominoes have fallen (Cuddyer and Willingham are off the table), the talk on the articles and sources I've read seems to suggest that, at this point, our internal options (Duncan, etc.) are pretty comparable to what's left. That, and with the trade market demands apparently insanely high, good external options are apparently drying up, as well. So, they may actually just hold off and re-evaluate the trading market after next season unfolds. As painful as it sounds, that may be our only real option at this point. Can't trade for someone if the other teams aren't receptive or reasonable, no matter how much you want to get it done.

Still, it's early enough that things could change, but I really expected the winter meetings and subsequent signings would build some momentum toward a move or two, and that doesn't appear to be the case at all.

Bottom line: when a team this flawed only has 3 million bucks to spend without shedding an existing contract, you're already up shit creek without a paddle.

Then that team probably should be selling and not buying...

They mortgaged 2015 to strengthen 2011, 2012, and 2013. But they sure as hell did not strengthen them enough. So if you were out of resources with one move, that was a pretty GD stupid move. A move, BTW, which I was 100% in favor for as a direction for this team. I was in favor of it because it showed a new direction and the continuance of that direction was to add the necessary pieces to augment it. NOT TO DECIDE AGAINST IT BECAUSE A GUY THAT ADDS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT NEED OF THE TEAM MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD DEFENSIVE LF OR BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO GET A THIRD YEAR. Well, no shit. If they did not think Willingham/Cuddyer were going to get longer than 1 year deals, they are as stupid as I portray them to be.

Yep, and now we have to hope they can tread water with Duncan and LaPorta until the midseason market gets going. And count on Sizemore and Hafner to be healthy with no reinforcements on hand. Good times.

[Adverb Harry]

^^^^this

I agree with Tony, but the fact remains that they opened a window with the Ubaldo trade that will be closing in a few years. If they weren't taking a shot, then they should not have made that trade. And I too was all for it.

I don't know what trades or improvements could have been/could be made. But I'm not the GM of the Cleveland Indians, a team that apparently went all in before the flop and is now folding before the river.

There's only one thing I know. This team, right now, is not good enough.

Agree with you and Pup, and I was firmly AGAINST the trade at the time, and I'm still maybe only 50-50, in light of the giant shits he took on the mound every time he pitched a crucial game.

It's looking less like a "building block" move for a window of contention, and more of a shot in the dark move to see where it lead. When they made that trade, they committed themselves to winning now, but they're showing a definite lack of following through on that commitment. Blame economics or an indecisive front office, but the result is the same...our outlook for 2012 is shaky, at best.

You use up your top two trade chips (one of whom is the best pitching prospect since CC), you've got to have a game plan that doesn't involve platooning a 32 year old journeyman at first base and bargain bin diving for additional help. That does nothing to plug the gaping hole, and you've given up your best trade chips for nothing.