by TribeinLA » Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:13 pm
Wisc, he was 32 of 35 last year. He's not stealing at that clip now, but who do we have that even has 20 SB's? Choo might have 16-20 if he was healthy.
Ok, let's take away that he may not be a leadoff guy (he wasn't in Cleveland). Could he not help this team no matter where he's hitting? If I had a choice of 20 guys to pick from, he wouldn't sniff the list of trade prospects, but he's affordable. He costs abouut a million more than David Dellucci when we signed him. He plays great defense, steals bases, hits for a decent average, may or may not have a little pop in that bat, and he's played on winning teams and is a VETERAN presence. That last point is so key on this team. We don't have that and we've almost accepted the fact that we don't deserve or cannot afford a vet. Again, he's not on my Christmas list, but it's evident that we can only afford so much. It looks like Pence isn't going anywhere and the Braves are looking harder than us at Ludwick. What else is available...that is, if you're PRO obtaining a corner OF.
Sizemore being out at the same time as Choo is the only reason I want a Crisp-type trade. If Sizemore were healthy, I wouldn't worry. If Choo and Sizemore were healthy, I'd consider trading Sizemore to a contender for some prospects. BUT, how many other teams would not do a thing when they've been in first place 90 percent of the season and have a 4 horse race going with 3 teams who are on the up and up? The Pirates, who I believe are a bigger sham than us, are going to be buyers. Why would we want to play out the rest of the season with what we have? Let's take away the 30-15 start and we're 22-35. That's almost exactly where we were through 47 games in '10. Where's the improvement? Take away our 7-2 record over KC and we're below .500. We have surprising marks against Det and RedSox, but are 1-4 in our last 5 vs. both. We were 6-0 vs. both in April/May. Meanwhile, Texas, Chicago, Minnesota, and LAA have owned us. If we were actually improving with the team we have now compared to last year, it'd be okay. We're not improving, though, and we have Carlos Santana for a full season this year. We've had Sizemore for over half a season. We've lost Choo. No matter who vs. who, we're playing '10 Indians ball since late May.
The answer is to make a move. It may not be a totally smart move, but ket the fans know you are caring and wanting to do what makes THEM happy. Without the fans, the Indians are nothing. If Cleveland finishes in 4th place and makes no moves, the fans will once again turn their backs. It will be a similar snub when we parted with Thome in '02, which was met with so much disapproval because of not being able to resign Manny in '00. There is no superstar we're getting rid of this time, but the frustration would equal those moves. We make a move and it pays off? You're going to see a WILD Progressive in September (and hopefully October).
I realize I have rambled long enough, but I have to leave it with this thought. WHy does it seem that Jimenez is the main target we're after, with Koroda being the 2nd? I'd love an arm, but Jesus, it's certainly not the fault of this staff and there's not a lot more they can do. Hell, Huff could have won that game today even if a no-hitter was thrown. Santana proves again why he's not a good thinking catcher (don't get up, Carlos. The IF's were not covering). I just don't see where all of the Ubaldo need is coming from for us. He's losing zip on his fastball, too. If we can power up and get him and 1-2 bats, then hooray...but I do not think that's possible for a team like us. I'll argue til I am blue in the face and I may not want the guys who statistically have what we need. I just want Crisp or the like because we need a lineup shift. Let Brantley hit in the bottom 3rd of the lineup. Hell, let Crisp hit there, Wiscy and let Brantley lead off. We've been atrocious...worse than the Brousard/Boone/Blake year when we grounded into more DP's than anyone. Anyway, get us in a short series with Masterson, Tomlin, Carmona, Carrasco, and Masterson2 and we've got a chance as long as we have a formidable 3-4-5 and a presence at the bottom of the order. Right now, we don't have either.
