MLB Trade Rumors has posted it's "Top Trade Chips" article for the AL Central.
Some thoughts:
- Axisa speculates that the Indians might try and trade Jake Westbrook for prospects. Could they really get anything legitimate in return? And who would take his 11m salary? I'm sure the Indians would LOVE to be able to dump his contract and get players back, but I don't know if thats really a possibility. Prior to his injury, Westbrook was a consistent sub 4.00 xFIP pitcher but he missed all of 2009 and has really struggled so far this year.
- The speculation that the Royals could look to deal - well, essentially their entire outfield - sounds about right. If Jose Guillen continues to hit, I'm sure the Royals would jump at the chance to move his contract. If Rick Ankiel proves healthy and effective with the bat, he too could be moved with Mitch Maier taking over in center. And of course, I already touched on a possible David DeJesus trade.
- Speculation about the Twins moving Wilson Ramos and Glen Perkins seems just about right. Many have speculated that the Twins would deal him for a closer. I doubt that. High end catching prospects should be able to yield a much larger return than that. Maybe not by himself, but in a package, he should be used to return either an elite third baseman or starting pitcher. Perkins has fallen out of favor with management, and the Twins would love to trade him, but the way he's pitched lately, I don't know who would want him or why.
- As for the White Sox, Axisa names Tyler Flowers and Daniel Hudson as his two best, most advanced prospects, and he's right. But he's also right in the sense that you never have any clue what Kenny Williams is going to do. The White Sox could use some offensive help, but it's probably too early to begin speculation.
Showing posts with label Jake Westbrook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jake Westbrook. Show all posts
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Indians Roundup: Week One
The Indians got their season off to a fine start with a two games to one series victory over the White Sox as they took the final two games after a miserable start by opening day pitcher starter Jake Westbrook who was hammered by Chicago. Thankfully they managed to get back on track with a pair of nice wins, including a come from behind, extra innings victory in the rubber match.
The second series against the Tigers didn't go nearly as well as they were shut down by two very mediocre pitchers in Dontrelle Willis, and and Jeremy Bonderman., and then blew a huge lead in the final game as they tagged Tigers ace Justin Verlander for 6 runs, only to see the bullpen blow the lead as they allowed nine runs in the final four innings, finally losing on a game tying walk, followed by a game losing wild pitch. Heart breaking stuff.
Offensively, the Tribe really struggled as the only two players to break the .800 OPS mark were second baseman Luis Valbuena (.806) and third baseman Johnny Peralta (.810). Obviously players like Grady Sizemore (.759), and Shin-Soo Choo (.619) aren't going to continue to hit so poorly, and the offense should be better. Actually, with Sizemore, Choo, Peralta, Asdrubal Cabrera, Travis Hafner and top prospects Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, and Carlos Santana, I think the Indians offense will be pretty good in 2011. But as of right now, that future is still a little ways off.
The issue with the Indians on a long-term basis is going to be pitching. They simply don't have much of it. I believe Justin Masterson and Fausto Carmona can be above average arms, and prospects Hector Rondon, and Carlos Carrasco show varying levels of promise, but is that enough? I'm not sold.
Ultimately, the Indians season is going to depend on how quickly the young bats develop. It won't be enough to help them win this year, but it can at least lay the groundwork for 2011 and it'll be a progression we'll be following closely here at AL Central in Focus.
The second series against the Tigers didn't go nearly as well as they were shut down by two very mediocre pitchers in Dontrelle Willis, and and Jeremy Bonderman., and then blew a huge lead in the final game as they tagged Tigers ace Justin Verlander for 6 runs, only to see the bullpen blow the lead as they allowed nine runs in the final four innings, finally losing on a game tying walk, followed by a game losing wild pitch. Heart breaking stuff.
Offensively, the Tribe really struggled as the only two players to break the .800 OPS mark were second baseman Luis Valbuena (.806) and third baseman Johnny Peralta (.810). Obviously players like Grady Sizemore (.759), and Shin-Soo Choo (.619) aren't going to continue to hit so poorly, and the offense should be better. Actually, with Sizemore, Choo, Peralta, Asdrubal Cabrera, Travis Hafner and top prospects Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, and Carlos Santana, I think the Indians offense will be pretty good in 2011. But as of right now, that future is still a little ways off.
The issue with the Indians on a long-term basis is going to be pitching. They simply don't have much of it. I believe Justin Masterson and Fausto Carmona can be above average arms, and prospects Hector Rondon, and Carlos Carrasco show varying levels of promise, but is that enough? I'm not sold.
Ultimately, the Indians season is going to depend on how quickly the young bats develop. It won't be enough to help them win this year, but it can at least lay the groundwork for 2011 and it'll be a progression we'll be following closely here at AL Central in Focus.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Indians v White Sox 4/5/10
I'm not going to do game recaps or anything like that too often, but if I watch a game I'll try and give my thoughts.
White Sox offense off and running - Manager Ozzie Guillen wanted a more aggressive team, and boy does he have it. With the exception of Carlos Quentin not seeming to understand that any time the lead runner takes off, the follow runner should do the same, the manager should be pleased. They hit. They ran the bases. They scored runs. It helps that Jake Westbrook was awful and that Lou Marson couldn't keep a ball in front of him to save his life, but good teams take advantage of their opponents mistakes and the White Sox did that today.
Lou Marson Struggles - Four 'wild pitches,' none of which were that terribly wild.
Jake Westbrook shelled - pulled after 4 innings with the bases loaded and no one out in the 4th. It could be a long season in Cleveland. After not pitching for nearly two years, one kind of has to wonder, "what exactly was Manny Acta thinking?" When he wasn't skipping pitches about two feet short, he was serving meatballs, and boy, the diner was open for business today.
White Sox offense off and running - Manager Ozzie Guillen wanted a more aggressive team, and boy does he have it. With the exception of Carlos Quentin not seeming to understand that any time the lead runner takes off, the follow runner should do the same, the manager should be pleased. They hit. They ran the bases. They scored runs. It helps that Jake Westbrook was awful and that Lou Marson couldn't keep a ball in front of him to save his life, but good teams take advantage of their opponents mistakes and the White Sox did that today.
Lou Marson Struggles - Four 'wild pitches,' none of which were that terribly wild.
Jake Westbrook shelled - pulled after 4 innings with the bases loaded and no one out in the 4th. It could be a long season in Cleveland. After not pitching for nearly two years, one kind of has to wonder, "what exactly was Manny Acta thinking?" When he wasn't skipping pitches about two feet short, he was serving meatballs, and boy, the diner was open for business today.
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