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Shaprio's Chat on MLB

by Thommy on Dec 1, 2006 12:32 PM EST Comment 19 comments

Howdy -

Just a head's up that Shaprio had a chat posted on indians.com yesterday, here. It's not a brillant read, as most of it is standard ShapiroSpeak (TM), but the first question in particular should be worth 30-40 posts alone.

Assuming the Dellucci signing happens, Shaprio is thinking that either Choo or Garko will make the team, but apparently not both. In one scenario, I suppose, Garko plays 1B while Blake plays RF, and in the other Blake plays 1B and Choo plays RF.

I suppose this means that one or the other may be traded, though either could be sent back to AAA. I somehow doubt this, though, as we need thier talent level on the ML team - if not directly, then through a trade. Of the two, I think Garko would bring home more, and would likely be the one traded.

As always, I'm open to opinions and interpretations.

Poll

Who would you trade?

Garko

22 votes

Choo

14 votes

Blake

28 votes

64 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 19 comments

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Comments

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

I found it interesting that Shapiro made a point to emphasize defense in his comment. Obviously, Garko's weakness is that he can only play first (something Shapiro mentioned later) and he may not even be great at that. I think the team's treatment of Garko over the past several years suggests they don't view him as the kind of high-ceiling guy you structure plans around. In that sense, I think Garko's future with the team might not be long.

by APV on Dec 1, 2006 12:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

The interesting comment I saw was the payroll increase - "In order to do that we need to find the players worthy of that expenditure."

My guess from that comment that the odds of us signing a high profile guy is close to nil. I sure don't see any high profile guys out there with the exception of Zito and Schmidt and it sounded like they weren't going to pursue SPs.

by talonk on Dec 1, 2006 1:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

That would be interesting, if they don't end up spending the money they said they would. I'm not really going to blast them for not doing it with the types of contracts laid out, but on the other hand they did say they were going to have a significant raise in payroll, and that in the past two years he has not been able to spend that money to aquire anybody. I just don't see how you wouldn't take a run at a guy like Schmitt or Padilla. You sign either, and you create a great bargening chip in either Cliff Lee or Paul Byrd. I don't see too many other FAs out there that are really worth signing (other than bullpen vets). All the good hitters are already gone I believe.

I would feel kind of bad if we don't go out and try and sign (overpay) for one of the good SP out there. Our rotation is good, but you can never have too much pitching, and we have all this money to spend.

by hans on Dec 1, 2006 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

At this point, with all the crazy contracts and lack of quality talent, I would be at least some-what satisfied with some contract extensions before the team breaks spring training. Hafner, Westbrook, Sabathia, and Mark Shapiro are all due for an extension. Unless they're keeping money in the bank so they can pay a new acquisition via trade, extend those guys (please). Of course, I'm all for bringing in Schmidt or someone of his ilk, but it's a longshot even if we put up the money.

I'm not sure what the players' perception of Cleveland is as far as the clubhouse or their potential to win, but we seem to have a hard time snagging big free agents. I hope I'm wrong about that and it's just all about money, because we can up the payroll to fix that problem. Has any one else gotten that impression?

by Pronk33 on Dec 1, 2006 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

I think you are correct, last year we had the same problem, in some cases we offered more that the team they end up signing with. I'm not sure we are considered to be a contending team. Or maybe it is the team image, when was the last time we signed a above average FA that was not coming off a injury filled season?

Fan in Texas

by fanintexas on Dec 1, 2006 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

I just don't see anyone out there worth overpaying for. Schmidt is decent but not great anymore, Zito actually managed a lower winning percentage than his team last year (while watching his WHIP climb and K ratio drop) and Padilla is inconsistent at best. I would rather see some extensions to current players and us saving some money.

Wait 'til next year... or something like that

by fwembt on Dec 1, 2006 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

Some of these people clearly have no idea what's going on. My favorite was the guy who asked if we were interested in signing Ronnie Belliard.

by Kos on Dec 1, 2006 2:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

Must have been a random question generator, ala mad libs or the like.

by Thommy on Dec 1, 2006 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

Hahaha as what?? the 6th platoon player....by the way: did any team ever post a winning record with 4 platoon positions???? am I just ignorant to the art which we call baseball or do you win games with 6 utility players playing everyday???

GermanysTribeFan

by GermanysTribeFan on Dec 1, 2006 5:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

It is not accurate at all to say that anyone playing in a platoon is a utility player.

by afh4 on Dec 1, 2006 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

Four platoon positions? We have two at the most. We have seven confirmed everyday starters, plus Dellucci would make eight if they actually said what his agent claims.

GermanysTribeFan, you're not off to a great start, whining pointlessly about a lineup that will almost certainly be in the top five in run production, possibly leading the majors.

by Jay on Dec 1, 2006 6:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

what we need are players who play the position day in and day out....plus it frees up roster positions that would give us the flexibilty we might need to evaluate the bullpen...I belive that we dont need a bullpenmakeover because you might see the pattern that one year our bullpen sucks and the next its average at worst...if we could drop 2 platoon players it could free up 4-6 Mil. for a productive reliever in free agency(not this years class of course) or via trade...should have kept wickman and howry(and yes, sometimes its ok to overpay for ability)....remember back in 95? we didnt need platoon players (and yes we do have similar talent)

2-3 guys who were capable of handeling a bullpen job were all it took....trade garko if its a win-win deal like for barfield

GermanysTribeFan

by GermanysTribeFan on Dec 1, 2006 6:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

Yes; it would be wonderful to have 9 above-average everyday players. Seeing as the Yankees are the only team that features such a line-up, I think your attack on the Indians line-up is misplaced. The Indians did, after all, score the second most number of runs in the league last year.

Also, the '95 Indians featured the first-base stylings of Paul Sorrento for 323 at-bats and, because of injury, 263 at-bats from Tony Pena. So even in the glory days the Indians didn't field a good 9-person attack.

by jdudas on Dec 1, 2006 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

what we need are players who play the position day in and day out

We have seven of them. Platoons are a good thing: they get you solid production from two cheap players. They also (usually) leave you with superior players on your bench every day. I think everyone's favorite site, MLB Trade Rumors, was the one who said it best: "Platoons are the new OBP."

by Kos on Dec 1, 2006 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

Aha you are mistaken...in 1995 only Omar from the starting ineup didnt hit .300+

GermanysTribeFan

by GermanysTribeFan on Dec 1, 2006 7:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

Umm, you're mistaken. Paul Sorrento hit well under .300 that year and Tony Pena who logged the majority of starts and ab's at catcher also hit under .300. C'mon man, you're killin' us.

by chodson28 on Dec 1, 2006 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

Indeed.

by jdudas on Dec 1, 2006 9:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

I've seen this phenomenon before. Some people just lack the ability to distinguish "an idea" from "a good idea."

I know ... I think I'll just invent my own random roster problem -- the catchers don't steal enough bases! -- and then write 20 comments about how the front office is incompetent for not addressing it.

by Jay on Dec 2, 2006 12:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Shaprio's Chat on MLB

dave roberts can play catcher.....

GermanysTribeFan

by GermanysTribeFan on Dec 2, 2006 8:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

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