On the other hand, if the Indians can muster up a few wins and the bullpen and bats come alive, the Indians will begin to resemble the team from a year ago. Shapiro would then hold his ace and use it for battle in the second half of the season.
The Indians could then try and look around for some plug-in pieces for the home stretch. Unfortunately, Adam Miller, who was on every MLB team's wish list, has continued to be unreliable in the health department, and with another injury, he will not be traded this year.
Aaron Laffey is another guy with huge trade value, but with a season-ending injury to Jake Westbrook and Laffey pitching the way he is, the club needs him. Shapiro has never been one to sacrifice the future either.
Others, such as Kelly Shoppach, could be bargaining tools. The Pirates showed a lot of interest this past offseason, and maybe if the right guy was tossed in, (Aubrey, Sowers, Marte) the Tribe could land a Jason Bay-type player to throw in the outfield.
Honestly though, we could talk trade rumors all day, but unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), I don't believe any major deals will be done.
Minus a Sabathia deal in a lost season, the only move I see getting done will be a Ryan Garko lock-up for long-term. Some have given him a hard time this year, but let's remember: It is only his second season in the bigs.
All that being said, only time will tell. A lot could happen between now and July 31. Hopefully for those of us who are Tribe fans, it will be a lot of wins, and instead of speculating whether or not to rebuild, we can start getting ready for a competitive AL Central race to the playoffs.
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