Thursday, December 08, 2005

The Waiting Game

The Tribe locked up Wickman for $5M a year, which is about $3M less than the going rate, so there should be some money to move around.

I would expect Shapiro to make a move, either through FA or through a trade (there's a lot of guys on the 40 man roster that are out of options) to get some buzz generated for next year. Though Millwood's signing didn't happen last year until January, I would think that Shapiro will strike when the iron is hot.

Another reason I'm not GM of the Indians: I would make a LOT of trades, just to make trades and mix it up a little bit. The moment that Hoffman signed with San Diego, my head would start spinning with trade scenarios. Actually, it did. Luckily, I was nowhere near Dallas.

To those who think that the Indians are falling short so far this off-season and should be spending more money, let me bring you to the case of the Detroit Tigers:

Last year, Detroit signed Troy Percival, Pudge Rodriguez, and Magglio Ordonez.

  • Percival is such damaged goods that the Tigers spent $11M over 2 years on Todd Jones to close!?! To Todd Jones!?! This guy has been cut like 5 times in the past 3 years.
  • Pudge Rodriguez promptly lost 50 lbs. after the steroid testing started, becoming a shadow of his former self. But that's just a coincidence, right?
  • Magglio Ordonez' injuries (which were common knowledge) kept him out of most of the season.
So now, looking to make a splash the give Todd Jones the aforementioned offer and give Kenny Rogers $8M over 2 years. For a brief reminder, Kenny Rogers is 41 and will be 43 at the end of that contract. If the Indians were pulling off these type of deals, I would be picketing their offices.

Lesson: By simply spending money and "filling holes", a team is not fixing its' problems.
It's just throwing money at them.

There is a plan. It's worked up to this point. Let's give the Indians the benefit of the doubt and wait until we see how this all shakes out.

9 comments:

Baltimoran said...

i don't get it P.C., your writng more now...in december, than you did when the tribe was playing 6 nights a week. and your not even commenting on the Lebrons.

well keep it up, or we'll never get to see the witty remarks the swytmonster comes up with while he's not hooking up the kegmeister that his buddies bought him for his wedding (July)

rockdawg, come up to baltimore so i can punch you in the ribs

curse away king kong, this is the internet...anything goes, and maybe wicky will cuddle with you to keep you warm in the bitter wisconsin cold

t-bone said...

if i read correctly, st. louis chose not to offer reggie sanders arbitration... interesting.

david said...

Sanders might be a good target if Nomar rejects the Tribe (which I'm 85% sure he will).

Paul Cousineau said...

I'm still holding for a Kevin Mench trade to fill the RH hole.

The reason I post more now is that there are so many different scenarios and rumors at this time of the year that I have thoughts on.

During the season, how many times can you say that Grady Sizemore is great, Casey Blake kills me, and that Fernando Cabrera is lights out?

On the LeBrons, we're still working on the Cleveland Sports Page website, which should provide a fix for all Cleveland sports.

Cy Slapnicka said...

From a guy that had a SuperSizemore jersey made, I really don't think there is a limit on how mant times you can say Grady is great.

Ditto for Casey.

Rockdawg said...

After tonight's loss to the Nets, I still have not seen them win a game this year. I gotta say though, the best part of the game (besides a couple Bron throw downs), was Bill Walton talking about Vince Carter. "You know, Carter has 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, but to me, the best part of his game has been his BALL FAKES." I think it is obvious that he is still toking a ton of green.

Rockdawg said...

RIP Bud Carson. I always liked Bud, who did a decent job for the Brownies with some sub-par talent.

Baltimoran said...

if nomar truly wants to win, i don't see a much better opportunity out there(that wants him). it sounds like wedge would make him the everyday right fielder.

according to walton, the cavs are "horrifically tErrible", he was driving me nuts, he's right about a few things, but they are a team thats just been put together with a young coach, he could cut them a little break when he's not talking about the love of his life (vince carter and his ball fakes). rock, i feel your pain about the play on national t.v. (spurs, pacers, and nets games have been abissmal)

Rockdawg said...

I think Nomar would be a pretty good option for the Tribe. The main thing that bothers me about Nomahhhhh, though, is his at bat ritual. He is like a poor man's Grover, with all the adjustments. PTC, you know how I feel about the Human Rain Delay....don't try to copy him, he's the master.

Crattus, how many more years can you teach the youth of America? These kids are starting to make me think about new careers.