Cleveland Sports Forum

Just what this offense needs, another 250 hitter. Another guy that gets on base at a 320 clip.

We have scored all of 6 runs last 3 games, and without the 3 run bomb by Gomes it would be 1 run a game last 3. And main reason is we don't have enough guys that get on base and hit in the clutch.

I'm not going to argue with you about Bruce like we did about Napoli. Those type guys are not my cup of tea and in my opinion not what this team needs. Need some guys who consistantly get on base and hit with RISP. Not homer or K types.

Why would they recall Gonzalez to replace Brantley? I like Erik a lot but Naquin as a LH OF makes way more sense; Diaz or Robertson as OFs make some more sense.

I know, right?!

I will just say this ... Naquin is a better fielder, faster and better base runner, hits for higher average and gets on base more. There is literally only one thing Jay Bruce does better and that is higher home run total, but Naquin has decent power himself.

So why would you give up anything and take on the salary of an old guy when you have a better all around ball player already in AAA?

That's where it coming from. Not that you offended me, just doesn't make sense to me.

But little the Indians have done lately has made sense to me.

Hillbilly wrote:I will just say this ... Naquin is a better fielder, faster and better base runner, hits for higher average and gets on base more. There is literally only one thing Jay Bruce does better and that is higher home run total, but Naquin has decent power himself.

So why would you give up anything and take on the salary of an old guy when you have a better all around ball player already in AAA?

That's where it coming from. Not that you offended me, just doesn't make sense to me.

But little the Indians have done lately has made sense to me.

I'm too old to argue at this point but I will state my reasoning.

First of all, I threw the name Bruce out there because he'd be dirt cheap. There's other options like Granderson etc.

But another thing about a veteran player. Last night as a great example.

I would have rather had Austin Jackson take that at bat, in that situation, than any Indian owned player at AAA. And also over many on their actual team.

Anybody interested in an August waiver trade, wants to see their target showcased. Tribe waiting for offers on their outfielders....Almonte, Guyer, even Jackson

Respectfully disagree on that one.

First of all, no one wants Almonte - if he were waived he'd have to shop around for a job.

Secondly, contenders don't trade useful pieces in August. They acquire them. Jackson has been great for this team, and Guyer is useful vs lefties.

So I don't think that's why. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me at all if the Naquin/Urshela swapping happens any day.

I would have rather had Austin Jackson take that at bat, in that situation, than any Indian owned player at AAA.

Well we wasn't talking about Jackson, who is hitting well over 300 this year. We were talking about acquiring Jay Bruce, who has hit 219 and 250 last two years. Lifetime 249 hitter.

At this point in their careers I'd take Naquin any time. In him we are talking about a very talented young former 1st round pick who hit right at 300 as a rookie last year, but seems to have been banished to Columbus for some unknown reason this year. It's ridiculous.

By the way, Jackson won't continue hitting like he has. He's already started to cool off. I'd take Naquin over him any day too, at least most days when righties are on the mound. But that's a totally different discussion.

Of course Naquin had a great first month or two last year, and then a poor September and a poorer postseason. they were unhappy with his OF play. None of which means he shouldn't get an opportunity to show his major league skills again. I don't have nearly the confidence that Hillbilly does, but I think he deserves a crack over Almonte at least.

Yeah, guys started pounding him with the high fastball and he couldn't lay off. Once they got that book everyone did it down the stretch and he suffered. But I think he should be at major league level making that adjustment. Nothing left to prove in AAA. Not like he'd do any worse than Almonte or Guyer.

A little research while watching the last couple innings ...

Houston has highest BA and OBP in MLB. They are also #1 in runs scored and second most wins in MLB.

LA Dodgers has the second best OBP in league, 5th most runs in MLB and most wins.

Washington has the 3rd best BA and 3rd best OBP in MLB. They've scored the second most runs and have 3rd most wins in MLB.

Texas, Milwaukee, NY Mets, Baltimore, and Tampa are 5 of the top 9 HR hitting teams in MLB.

Only one of the five teams, Texas, is among top 10 in runs scored. 7th.

Texas is 6 games under .500. Milwaukee barely over 500. Mets are 10 games under 500. Baltimore is 1 game under 500. Tampa is 2 games over 500.

Now to be fair, Houston, Washington, and LA are also among top 10 in HR's hit. But there seems to be a direct corolation between getting on base scoring runs and winning games. There is no direct corolation between being a HR or nothing type offense and scoring alot of runs and winning games.

I know it isn't popular and some of you guys get mad at me, but you can have your Mike Napoli types, fellas. Not me.

generally agree with that preference, but a Napoli to hit an 11th inning homer today would have been nice!

Actually in general I agree as well.

Also, I'm pretty sure I said I used Bruce simply as one example. There's other veterans out there as well for OF that I would take too.

But in fairness, for the record, for the rest of this season I would take Bruce over Naquin in a hearbeat. Not a team full of hims, just him.

I believe that puts us all on record now.

Ken Rosenthal reports we have traded for Jay Bruce. No other details yet.

Just saw this:
SportsBlogNewYork‏ @SportBlogNYC 1m1 minute ago

The Mets have traded Jay Bruce to the Cleveland Indians. He will be a free agent this winter.