Cleveland Indians: Taking a Look at The Big Picture

Rumors are running rampant over C.C. Sabathia and the possibility of him getting dealt by the Cleveland Indians. With that, I think it would be an ideal time to explore the depth of their organization.

I keep a complete super board of all the players within the Tribe organization. I have it linked on my Indians' blog and I keep it updated on a daily basis.

Why do I do this? The short answer is this: I don't have a life and there is nothing better to do with my time.

The longer, less dorky answer is this: I'm obsessed with knowing every player and every position in the organization.

Okay, maybe it's not less dorky, but I’m truly obsessed with knowing who is catching for Kinston at all times. My board is certainly not a Mark Shapiro-like board, but it keeps me updated.

I want to put it to some good use, so with the looming decision on C.C. Sabathia, let's explore what the Indians should be targeting if they are to make a deal with their big southpaw.

I've decided to designate how many top 50 prospects are at each position. The top 50 prospects are from the very knowledgeable Tony Lastoria, who conducts all his reports off first hand experiences.

I've included most of the active roster that are under contract for at least next year, but also did not include players like David Dellucci who don't figure to be apart of the future.

* Designates Top 50 Prospect

Second Position Listed in Parentheses

Catchers

MLB: Victor Martinez, Kelly Shoppach AAA: Chris Gimenez*, Armando Camacaro AA: Wyatt Toregas*, Damaso Espino High A: Alex Castillo, Brian Juhl Low A: Adam David, Michael Valdez, Matt McBride* Short A: Robert Alcombrack*, Doug Pickens, Zach Booker Rookie A: Chao Kuan Wu, Juan Aponte

Unsigned Draftees and Dominican League: Moises Montero, Roberto Perez, Henry Moreno, Yileiviu Fernandez, Nelson Izaguirre, Rolando Petit

Top 50 Prospects: 4

Outlook

Victor Martinez still has a year left on his contract after this year and Kelly Shoppach has plenty of arbitration years as well. Chris Gimenez and Armando Camacaro started the year in Akron as starter and backup respectively. Gimenez has hit well enough to switch places with Wyatt Toregas who is on the 40 man roster.

First Basemen

MLB: Ryan Garko, Travis Hafner (DH) AAA: Michael Aubrey*, Jordan Brown* (OF), Ryan Mulhern* AA: Matt Whitney* (3B) High A: Todd Martin (OF) Low A: Chris Nash* Short A: Brock Simpson (OF) Rookie A: Adam Abraham (3B)

Top 50 Prospects: 5

Outlook

Ryan Garko has two years left before arbitration, and Michael Aubrey is in his last option year. The trio in Buffalo are all first baseman, but they've made it work with the DH position, Aubrey's injuries and Brown's flexibility. Matt Whitney was returned from the Nationals organization and can also play third.

Second Basemen

MLB: Josh Barfield AAA: None AA: Brandon Chaves High A: Jared Goedert*, Cristo Arnal Low A: Karexon Sanche Short A: Isaias Velasquez Rookie A: Lurvin Basabe, Rafael Vera

Unsigned Draftees and Dominican League: Cord Phelps, Jesus Aguilar, Joly Fermin, Argenis Martinez

Top 50 Prospects: 1

Outlook

This group also has Asdrubal Cabrera if they decide to keep Jhonny Peralta, but other than Jared Goedert, there isn't much to rave about here.

Third Basemen

MLB: Andy Marte AAA: None AA: Wes Hodges* High A: Beau Mills* (1B), Niuman Romero Low A: Jeff Hehr Short A: Jeremie Tice, Jansy Infante Rookie A: Abner Abreu

Dominican League: Kelvin Diaz

Top 50 Prospects: 2

Outlook

Andy Marte is out of options as we all know, and while this position isn't deep, there is plenty of potential. Wes Hodges is on the fast track and Beau Mills is soaring in only his second year. Mills might be better suited at first.

Shortstops

MLB: Jhonny Peralta, Asdrubal Cabrera (2B) AAA: None AA: Joshua Rodriguez*, Brandon Pinckney High A: Carlos Rivero* Low A: Mark Thompson, Matthew Williard, Ronald Rivas Short A: Lonnie Chisenhall (3B) Rookie A: Walter Diaz, Jason Smit, Kevin Fontanez, Jose Camargo

Dominican League: Agustin Avila

Top 50 Prospects: 2

Outlook

This looks like it might be good long term with two possible candidates, and the talented Joshua Rodriguez in Akron. Lonnie Chisenhall the Indians' first round pick this year will be moving to third base sooner rather than later.

Outfielders

MLB: Grady Sizemore, Ben Francisco*, Franklin Gutierrez, Shin-Soo Choo AAA: Brad Snyder*, Jason Cooper AA: Trevor Crowe*, Jose Costanza, Ryan Goleski*, Stephen Head* (1B) High A: Nick Weglarz*, John Drennen*, Cirilo Cumberbatch* Low A: Roman Pena, Adam White, Matt Brown Short A: Juan Valdez, Donnie Webb, Corteze Armstrong, Roman Hernandez, Ryan Blair Rookie A: Delvi Cid, Bo Greenwell, Angel Rodriguez, Kevin Rucker, John Allman

Unsigned Draftees and Dominican League: Jesus Brito, Jose Cabrera, Darling Read, Tim Fedroff, Tim Palincsar, Adam Matthews, Dean Lagnosky

Top 50 Prospects: 8

Outlook

Ben Francisco can't really be considered a prospect anymore, but the MLB outfield is loaded with potential. Brad Snyder is going to be out of options and could be teetering on the bust line, while Trevor Crowe is starting to right himself in Akron. The Kinston outfield has three very talented outfielders in Weglarz, Drennen and Cumberbatch.

Starting Pitchers

MLB: Fausto Carmona, Cliff Lee, Jake Westbrook (DL), Aaron Laffey* AAA: Jeremy Sowers, David Huff*, Bubbie Buzachero, Adam Miller* AA: Steven Wright, Ryan Edell*, Frank Herrmann*, Kevin Dixon, Scott Lewis*, Chuck Lofgren* High A: Sung-Wei Tseng*, Shawn Nottingham*, Carlton Smith, Hector Rondon*, Jeanmar Gomez* Low A: Kelvin De La Cruz*, Ryan Morris*, Ryan Miller*, Chris Archer, Joey Mahalic Short A: P.J. Zocchi, Guido Fonseca, Kaimi Mead, Brad Hinkle, Russell Young Rookie A: TJ McFarland, Alexander Perez, Jose Urena

Top 50 Prospects: 14

Outlook

There is a reason why this team always has someone to step in and start for them. Take a look at the Akron, Kinston and Lake County rotations. Each rotation has at least three top Indian prospects and both Akron and Kinston have four. I'd expect P.J. Zocchi to be an addition to this list sooner or later as well.

Relief Pitchers

MLB: Rafael Betancourt, Masa Kobayashi, Ed Mujica* AAA: Rich Rundles, Tom Mastny, Brian Slocum* AA: T.J. Burton, James Deters, Reid Santos*, J.D. Martin*, Erik Stiller*, Scott Roehl High A: Josh Tomlin, Neil Wagner, Dan Cevette, Heath Taylor, Mike Pontius*, Matt Meyer, Mike Finocchi*, Paola Espino* Low A: John Gaub, John Holt, Dallas Cawiezell, Garrison Campfield, Josh Judy, Joanniel Montero, Kyle Landis

Top 50 Prospects: 8

Outlook

There are plenty of young arms for the bullpen, but many of them are far away from the Majors.

Closers

MLB: Rafael Perez, Jensen Lewis* AAA: Jeff Stevens* AA: Randy Newsome* High A: Luis Perdomo* Low A: Vinnie Pestano Short A: Mike McGuire On Rehab: Tony Sipp*

Top 50 Prospects: 5

Outlook

You can lump most of these guys into the reliever category, because you never know which ones will actually be able to close games at the major league level. Jeff Stevens could be the real deal though; he has moxie and a short memory, the ideal makeup of a closer.

So what do you trade Sabathia for?

That is the one hundred million dollar question, if you want to put it into Sabathia dollar terms.

It all depends on who the suitors may end up being. I trust Mark Shapiro will find the right fit, and he isn't just looking for the best players that are being thrown in his direction. He wants to fill holes and get players at spots he needs depth at. Shapiro keeps a much larger board than I do, and he probably looks it over daily and scrutinizes what positions he could improve at.

Three of those positions would be second, third and shortstop. Wes Hodges and Beau Mills are certainly guys that could play a big part in the Indians' future, but as we've learned, you can never have too many at one position. The Tribe is certainly not deep in that spot.

Another position you would want to target is starting pitching. They are certainly deep in that spot, but in terms of major league ready, or close to major league ready, the pool has become dry.

Aside from first base, Buffalo has virtually no young talent on their roster; they have become a second chance team for players like Morgan Ensberg and Juan Rincon. The 2007 influx of players like Rafael Perez and Asdrubal Cabrera has left that level completely dry.

My ideal package would include two close to major league ready players, in the form of a starting pitcher and an outfielder and a lower level second baseman. If a team like the Rangers can get Kason Gabbard and David Murphy for Eric Gagne, the Indians could get something way better for C.C. Sabathia.

We are about three or four games too close to be waving the white towel at this point in the year. However, if things continue to go well for the Twins, Tigers, and White Sox and the Indians continue to spiral down, this is the big picture Mark Shapiro and company are looking at.