CC Sabathia was the first domino to fall in Cleveland. Who might be moved next? Here are a few candidates:
Jamey Carroll
He's obviously not a big name, but this guy could land a decent prospect. His leadership is well documented and he plays solid defense and knows how to play the game.
Paul Byrd
Byrd has had a rough season, but if he puts in a few decent starts, some team might take him on for the back end of their rotation. If he has any value left, the Indians will attempt to get something back for him.
Rafael Betancourt
He too has put in a rough season. However, he was one of the most dominant relievers last year and has been a good set-up man for years. He has been more hittable this year and given up a lot of long balls, but his walk and strikeout numbers are solid. He might net a solid lower level prospect and a middle-reliever.
Casey Blake
Blake struggled at the beginning of the season, but has turned it around and been a solid third baseman. He's one of the better clutch hitters in the American League. He's a free agent at the end of the year and the Indians have no plans to bring him back. They have kept Andy Marte on the bench all year with an idea of giving him some at-bats to see if he might be their future at the position. Now is the time to find out.
The Indians need to re-stock their farm system if they aren't going to win this year. There may not be much they can get in return for their current major leaguers, but re-tooling now and keeping their core players will allow them to compete as soon as next year.
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3 months ago
Can Blake please go to an NL team and stop terrorizing the White Sox? Same with Jamey Carroll. That would be just dandy.
from 3 months ago
He kills the Tigers for that matter.
3 months ago
I don't think we want to get rid of Carroll. He has a friendly option next year and he is a great utility man. I could see everyone else you mentioned going though.
Throw Dellucci in there, via DFA or Trade.
from 3 months ago
Keeping Carroll is never a bad idea. This guy seems destined to be a coach or manager or something one day. I remember when Frank Robinson was very upset Carroll was traded to the Rockies. It says a lot about him, so if another team valued that enough and wanted him, I could see Cleveland being tempted. I only left Dellucci out because he's such a non-factor nowadays.
from 3 months ago
I think everyone is leaving him out of trade discussions for good reason, no one will want him.. But he BETTER be let go here soon.. I'm starting to get sick of seeing him on this roster.
Carroll was in the proposed deal from the Dodgers. They wanted CC, Carroll and Blake all in one deal.. They better have had a lot coming our way considering they didn't include Matt Kemp.. Like You, if someone were to blow them away with an offer then I'm sure they wouldn't think twice. If not, they'll gladly pick up his option at the end of the year.
3 months ago
And like you said, his option is friendly. Very friendly. I think the average salary is over 3 million now, so paying him 2 million i think, is fair. Some guys scoffed at the 2 year 4 million deal he was given, and although he didn't put up great #'s, he's a solid player. If they keep him for next year, I think it's a nice move as I'd expect them to be in the playoff hunt.
3 months ago
I think that Blake is the next out to get shipped out of Bron-Town.
from 3 months ago
Yeah, it makes sense. I haven't really thought about who might take him on, but it's time the Indians give Marte a few months to show what he can do.
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