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Do IT this week: Layering
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
POSTED: 06:58 p.m. EDT, Jul 21, 2009
Do the Indians make the big trade or don't they? That is the question.
It's hardly a Shakespearean issue, but the rumors are rampant that several teams are going to make a run or have made a run at acquiring Cliff Lee or Victor Martinez.
Both are under contract through next season.
Both are affordable.
Trading them would be a clear signal to fans that the rebuild is under way.
Keeping them means they might not be able to sign one or both after next season.
The Indians have no pitcher who can step into Lee's role as the No. 1 starter. He seems like a cranky guy sometimes, but left-handers who get people out are quite valuable in this millennium.
The chances of Lee re-signing with the Indians after 2010? Pretty slim.
The odds of Martinez re-signing? Better, but probably 50-50.
Martinez has said he wants to finish his career with the Indians, but money does the talking.
And the Indians are going through a very difficult financial season this year, which does not bode well for next season, which does not bode well for signing free agents after next season.
All those factors might weigh into the Indians being more inclined to listen to offers. The hope would be that more young talent could combine with the young talent in the minor leagues (Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, Carlos Santana) and turn the difficulties of the past two seasons into the Indians becoming the Tampa Bay Rays of last season.
That would mean a bunch of young guys who blossom at once.
Keeping Lee means that the Indians would be hanging their hats on the return to form of Fausto Carmona and the return to health of Jake Westbrook.
If both return next season to pitching the way they have, the top three in the rotation would be Lee, Carmona and Westbrook.
It's a long shot.
Maybe even a longer shot than acquiring some younger talent and letting it grow. . . .
• Now we have Shaquille O'Neal the swimmer, boxer, football player and all that other stuff.
O'Neal will be the subject of this Shaq Vs. television show when he takes on some of the best in their sport at a skills competition, with Shaq receiving a handicap.
Is there really an interest in seeing Shaq swim against Michael Phelps with a 30-meter headstart?
The folks promoting the silliness tout it as a way for O'Neal to get in shape for the season while providing some entertainment.
The Cavs evidently gave permission for O'Neal to do these things.
It's tempting to say the dumbing down of America continues on television.
Athletes do a lot of stuff in the offseason, and they can get hurt at any time.
But if O'Neal ruptures an Achilles' while he dives into the pool — yes, it's a slim chance — the only dumb ones will be the Cavs and their fans. . . .
• Guess it's evident now why Mike Shanahan chose not to take the Browns' coaching job.
A report in the Denver Post states that he will be paid $7 million by the Broncos not to coach the team this season.
That payout includes a clause in his contract that prohibits him from criticizing the team.
One would think $7 million could buy a lot of silence.
But one would also think that $7 million is fool's money spent foolishly. If Shanahan loved the Broncos as much as he's always said, why would he need to be paid to be quiet?
More NFL paranoia. If the guy states his opinion, will it really hurt anything? . . .
• The Orlando Magic have done a very nice job of rebuilding their team after the departure of Hedo Turkoglu.
The Magic have retained backup center Marcin Gortat, traded for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson (another 6-foot-11 guy who can shoot) and signed Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes to fill out the roster. They'll get Jameer Nelson back, they have Dwight Howard in the middle.
I'm thinking the power rankings for the East should go this way right now: Magic, Boston Celtics, Cavs, Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors. . . .
• Here's hoping Erin Andrews sues the daylights out of somebody and wins handsomely. . . .
• Fans can count on the Browns' opening game being Sept. 13, and it will have Brett Favre playing quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. . . .
• Little bird tells me — why is it always a bird and never a squirrel? — that Derek Anderson isn't exactly excited to still be with the Browns as training camp opens. Anderson won't cause problems, I'm told, but he's not exactly thrilled he wasn't traded. . . .
• It's just difficult for me to see him getting a warm reception from fans if he's starting on opening day. . . .
• I wish I'd have thought of it, but the Cleveland Scene's online blog did, so it gets the credit: Eric Wedge ranks fifth in job tenure among major-league managers with the same team. The only guys with more seniority are the Atlanta Braves' Bobby Cox, the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Scioscia, the Minnesota Twins' Ron Gardenhire and the St. Louis Cardinals' Tony La Russa.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
Do the Indians make the big trade or don't they? That is the question.
It's hardly a Shakespearean issue, but the rumors are rampant that several teams are going to make a run or have made a run at acquiring Cliff Lee or Victor Martinez.
Both are under contract through next season.
Both are affordable.
Trading them would be a clear signal to fans that the rebuild is under way.
Keeping them means they might not be able to sign one or both after next season.
The Indians have no pitcher who can step into Lee's role as the No. 1 starter. He seems like a cranky guy sometimes, but left-handers who get people out are quite valuable in this millennium.
The chances of Lee re-signing with the Indians after 2010? Pretty slim.
The odds of Martinez re-signing? Better, but probably 50-50.
Martinez has said he wants to finish his career with the Indians, but money does the talking.
And the Indians are going through a very difficult financial season this year, which does not bode well for next season, which does not bode well for signing free agents after next season.
All those factors might weigh into the Indians being more inclined to listen to offers. The hope would be that more young talent could combine with the young talent in the minor leagues (Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, Carlos Santana) and turn the difficulties of the past two seasons into the Indians becoming the Tampa Bay Rays of last season.
That would mean a bunch of young guys who blossom at once.
Keeping Lee means that the Indians would be hanging their hats on the return to form of Fausto Carmona and the return to health of Jake Westbrook.
If both return next season to pitching the way they have, the top three in the rotation would be Lee, Carmona and Westbrook.
It's a long shot.
Maybe even a longer shot than acquiring some younger talent and letting it grow. . . .
• Now we have Shaquille O'Neal the swimmer, boxer, football player and all that other stuff.
O'Neal will be the subject of this Shaq Vs. television show when he takes on some of the best in their sport at a skills competition, with Shaq receiving a handicap.
Is there really an interest in seeing Shaq swim against Michael Phelps with a 30-meter headstart?
The folks promoting the silliness tout it as a way for O'Neal to get in shape for the season while providing some entertainment.
The Cavs evidently gave permission for O'Neal to do these things.
It's tempting to say the dumbing down of America continues on television.
Athletes do a lot of stuff in the offseason, and they can get hurt at any time.
But if O'Neal ruptures an Achilles' while he dives into the pool — yes, it's a slim chance — the only dumb ones will be the Cavs and their fans. . . .
• Guess it's evident now why Mike Shanahan chose not to take the Browns' coaching job.
A report in the Denver Post states that he will be paid $7 million by the Broncos not to coach the team this season.
That payout includes a clause in his contract that prohibits him from criticizing the team.
One would think $7 million could buy a lot of silence.
But one would also think that $7 million is fool's money spent foolishly. If Shanahan loved the Broncos as much as he's always said, why would he need to be paid to be quiet?
More NFL paranoia. If the guy states his opinion, will it really hurt anything? . . .
• The Orlando Magic have done a very nice job of rebuilding their team after the departure of Hedo Turkoglu.
The Magic have retained backup center Marcin Gortat, traded for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson (another 6-foot-11 guy who can shoot) and signed Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes to fill out the roster. They'll get Jameer Nelson back, they have Dwight Howard in the middle.
I'm thinking the power rankings for the East should go this way right now: Magic, Boston Celtics, Cavs, Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors. . . .
• Here's hoping Erin Andrews sues the daylights out of somebody and wins handsomely. . . .
• Fans can count on the Browns' opening game being Sept. 13, and it will have Brett Favre playing quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. . . .
• Little bird tells me — why is it always a bird and never a squirrel? — that Derek Anderson isn't exactly excited to still be with the Browns as training camp opens. Anderson won't cause problems, I'm told, but he's not exactly thrilled he wasn't traded. . . .
• It's just difficult for me to see him getting a warm reception from fans if he's starting on opening day. . . .
• I wish I'd have thought of it, but the Cleveland Scene's online blog did, so it gets the credit: Eric Wedge ranks fifth in job tenure among major-league managers with the same team. The only guys with more seniority are the Atlanta Braves' Bobby Cox, the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Scioscia, the Minnesota Twins' Ron Gardenhire and the St. Louis Cardinals' Tony La Russa.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, OH
Posted 07:05 PM, 07/21/2009
Ummm, hey Derek, don't be mad at the team. Do you think they'd have held on to you if you had any trade demand?
Magic first? Are you kidding me? As much as I hate to say it, I think Boston is the favorite, assuming their creaky roster can stay healthy. Wizards at #4????? LOL!
Akrom, Oh
Posted 07:16 PM, 07/21/2009
Maybe if D.A. could perform like he did 2 years ago the fans might be a little more accepting of him. No fan wants to see a stiff starting for their team, leading to loss after loss and no chance of making the post season.
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 07:17 PM, 07/21/2009
They have been re-building since the late-1990's.
Canton, OH
Posted 07:20 PM, 07/21/2009
Man, I miss Brian ( Windy ) Windhorst & Terry Pluto. . .
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:42 AM, 07/22/2009
Tribe to make a trade - WOW - now thats reporting, in a related matter, the sun is hot!
Columbus, Oh
Posted 10:59 AM, 07/22/2009
The only trade the Tribe truly needs to make is Dolan.
Posted 12:36 PM, 07/22/2009
Celtics are old and injuries(like last year) happen to old players. Orlando shot out of this world against us and they lost their 2nd. best player in Turgolu. The Cavs won 66 games ,didn't lose anyone that mattered and got better. They just need time to jell. Nobody but Lakers worry me.
Osama Bin Dolan---let my people go...
Paradise, Oh
Posted 01:26 PM, 07/22/2009
Apathy
Kent, Oh
Posted 02:53 PM, 07/22/2009
You know Pat you seem like a cranky guy sometimes yourself. I get that way myself once in awhile but mainly the reason that Cliff Lee has no run support is that the Indians try to match him up with the best opposing pitcher of that series. That's why we don't score too many runs when Lee pitches. It has absolutely nothing to do with the players not liking him. Cliff Lee is a standup guy and everyone knows that.
New Carlisle, OH
Posted 06:20 PM, 07/22/2009
Keeping Lee for next year makes much more sense. If we do get Carmona back on track with Lee and a healthy Jake Westbrook...that is a strong starting core for 2010. If we do keep Pavano and Huff or Laffey or Sowers can emerge, very strng staff. Some of the many new relievers should do better as well. I still think this team has talent. The Tigers turned things around from last season. Why not the Tribe?
Charlotte, NC
Posted 09:21 PM, 07/22/2009
Pastor Rick, great post. Does anyone with power read these blogs? NO TRADES!
Posted 08:38 AM, 07/23/2009
First off, I really see Anderson being traded before the season anyway. Someone will have the need (injury or terrible play from their starter) for a QB before the season starts and Kokinis will get better value for him then. Teams that could be interested are San Fran (no starting QB yet), Jacksonville (not much faith in Garard), Houston (injury to Schaub leaves them very thin) and maybe his home state with Seattle (Hasselbeck's back).
I can see the following Tribe players getting moved/cut before next spring training. I'm not saying it's what they SHOULD do, just my opinion of what they ought to think real hard about.
Peralta
Shoppach
Fransisco
Carroll (spelling?)
Garko
It seems to me that they have to make more playing time for;
Valbuena
LaPorta
Brantley
Barfield
Santana
As far as pitching goes, I have no clue. All i know is I would yank Sowers to the pen as the long reliever since he can only throw 5 innings at a time.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:48 PM, 07/28/2009
Like I said two days ago.
Trade Sharpiro for a new water fountain.
Sharpiro promised a re building period that would be complete by 2006 when Hart left.
This is a big reminder of the Gabe Paul days.
