rocky raccoon wrote:Indians GM Mark Shapiro on whether his team could be buyers at the trade deadline: "It’s not a matter of money. It’s a matter of not giving away any of our prospects. We’re not going to do that."

That would seem to limit our chances of acquiring anyone.

Shapiro saying 'give away prospects' makes any significant move doubtful at best.

I was surprised to see that Chris Perez has a 12/12 BB/K rate in 20 IPs this season. That's a stat pleading for more blown saves.

Tribe needs a better pitcher in the rotation than Mitch Talbot.

He won't trade "any of our prospects". I will assume he means "any of our top prospects". There aren't all that many Tribe prospects who would excite great interest. Do we need to hang on to two 2nd basemen of the future? Wouldn't he trade Chun Chen, a pretty good catcher, when we have Santana? Gomez or McAllister or de la Cruz when Pomeranz is more dynamic? Chen Lee or Zach Putnam when we have lots of good young hard-throwing relievers?

I don't know what Shapiro's quote is supposed to mean, other than perhaps an excuse not to take on a salary.

I think Shapiro is saying we won't trade any top prospects for rentals.

The question is where do you draw the line? Is Carrerra a top prospect? He could turn out to be another Michael Brantley, if we trade him for a rental and he turns out like that we look stupid. If he
turns out to be another Willie Taveras then who cares...

This is where in the old days Charlie T would come in and reference The Tribe's glass menagerie.

If the Tribe only makes one move, I vote for a veteran starting pitcher.

A righty bat would be nice, but give me pitching first.

Aren't there any decent bats about ready on the farm?

rocky raccoon wrote:If the Tribe only makes one move, I vote for a veteran starting pitcher.

A righty bat would be nice, but give me pitching first.

Aren't there any decent bats about ready on the farm?

Disagree, I thought getting a veteran inning eater this offseason was crucial but I have fortunately been proven wrong. I like our pitching depth a lot now.

We need a veteran bat. Not a stud but a guy with a solid track record who can add some punch to a lineup that currently relies on too many questionable hitters. The guy I keep coming back to is Casey Blake. He's in the last year of his deal, he doesn't make an outrageous salary, he can play all four corner positions, he's got some pop, and he is a great teammate who will do whatever the team will ask him to do.

Unfortunately I wonder the Dodgers will want for him. We already burned them when we sent Casey there way a couple of years ago.

We need a veteran bat. Not a stud but a guy with a solid track record who can add some punch to a lineup that currently relies on too many questionable hitters.

Yes the old "Profession Hitter"....LOL Where's Harold Baines when you need him?

I personally would like to see us get Blake back....though it would be even better to actually get someone good.

Who knows what may come available in the next few weeks.....

Blake is good - like it or not, his career numbers of .265/.337/.445 would fit well in our lineup right now.

We need to face reality - if this team does trade for a bat, it's not going to be for some stud on a monster contract. It's going to be for somebody who is a solid player but not a star and who is probably on an expiring contract. Kind of like the Kenny Lofton trade of 2007.

You know...I just reread what I wrote and should have phrased it

"though it would be GOOD to actually get someone even BETTER."

I like Blake and would love to see him back in Cleveland....think there may be someone better to be had though....

....then I remember I root for Cleveland, so the chances of THAT happening are unlikely

Reality bites

A hitter should be easier to find, but I still say pitcher.

Tomlin and Masterson are both going to settle some from their current levels- more runs, less innings.

I don't expect to see anything better from Carmona, etc.

If the starting pitching goes a bit creaky, then the pressure ramps up on the bullpen. At that point, you'd better have reinforcements ready on the farm.

I recall we wouldn't trade Jaret Wright to get Pedro.

"It’s a matter of not giving away any of our prospects. We’re not going to do that."

So maybe he means he wants something good in return?