Kevin Bacon-ing the Franchise

An offshoot of Jay's Timeline: Acquiring the New Champs from last year.

Acquiring the 2008 Cleveland Indians Franchise

As I don’t have access to the Dominican League Info, I will only be discussing the Gulf Coast League on up to the show.

A few glossary items.

(YYYY-XX) = the year drafted by Cleveland and the round drafted.

(aFA YYYY) = amateur free agent signing and year (these may not all be accurate)

(mFA YYYY) = minor league free agent signing

(FA YYYY) = major league free agent signing

Also, when I have identified a free agent year, it is the year they signed for (i.e. December 05 would be 2006)

One degree - Cleveland drafted or signed them

Two or more degrees - acquired in a trade, etc.

First off, the Gulf Coast League Indians, (Rookie League):

One Degree

Clayton Cook (2008-09), Juan Diaz (aFA 2005), Guido Fonseca (2008-12), Candido Jesus (aFA 2007), Jose Jimenez (aFA 2004), Chris Jones (2007-15), TJ McFarland (2007-04), Sandy Mendez (aFA 2005), Carlos Moncrief (2008-14), Denny Montero (aFA 2005), Alexander Morales (aFA 2007), Alexander Perez (aFA 2007), Marty Popham (2008-20), Jacob Reust (aFA 2008), Danny Salazar (aFA 2007), Steve Smith (2008-25), Luis Solano (aFA 2005), Franklin Soto (aFA 2007), Travis Turek (2006-48), Jose Urena (aFA 2006), Jonathan Williams (2007-38), Juan Aponte (aFA 2005), Chun-Hsiu Chen (aFA 2008), Moises Montero (2008-26), Adam Abraham (2008-13), Abner Abreu (aFA 2007), Lurvin Basabe (aFA 2007), Jose Camargo (aFA 2007), Kevin Fontanez (2008-24), Jason Smit (aFA 2007), Rafael Vera (aFA 2008), Matthew Willard (2007-49), John Allman (aFA 2008), Delvi Cid (aFA 2007), Bo Greenwell (2007-06), Angel Rodriguez (aFA 2005), Kevin Rucker (2007-47)

Two Degrees

Gregorio Rosario

1. Trade Mariners 2007 - Jason Davis

2. Davis (1999-21)

Mahoning Valley Scrappers (A-):

One Degree

Carlos Arias (aFA 2004), Eric Berger (2008-08), Austin Creps (2006-06), Brian Grening (2008-38), Brad Hinkle (aFA 2007), Matthew Langwell (2008-11), Anillins Martinez (aFA 2004), Michael McGuire (2008-43), Kaimi Mead (2008-18), Daniel Morales (2007-14), Wilfredo Ramirez (aFA 2006), David Roberts (2008-04), Mark Rodrigues (aFA 2007), Russell Young (2008-28), PJ Zocchi (2007-36), Robert Alcombrack (2006-07), Zach Booker (mFA 2008), Michael Valdez (2007-26), Lonnie Chisenhall (2008-01), Walter Diaz (2007-48), Cord Phelps (2008-03), Jeremie Tice (2008-06), Isaias Velasquez (aFA 2004), Cortez Armstrong (aFA 2006), Ryan Blair (2008-21), Ramon Hernandez (aFA 2005), Brock Simpson (2007-46), Juan Valdes (2003-05), Donnie Webb (2008-10)

Lake County Captains (A):

One Degree

Chistopher Archer (2006-05), Garrison Campfield (2007-12), Dallas Cawiezell (2007-40), Paolo Espino (2006-10), John Gaub (2006-21), Jonathan Holt (2007-05), Josh Jusy (2007-34), Kyle Landis (2007-18), Joseph Mahalic (2007-32), Ryan Miller (2006-36), Joanniel Montero (aFA 2004), Ryan Morris (2006-04), Garrett Rieck (2007-29), Adam Davis (2007-03), Richard Martinez (aFA 2004), Douglas Pickens (2007-50), Jeffrey Hehr (2007-20), Todd Martin (aFA 2006), Chris Nash (2006-24), Dustin Realini (2006-28), Ron Rivas (aFA 2006), Karexon Sanchez (aFA 2007), Mark Thompson (2007-08), Matthew Brown (2007-13), Roman Pena (2005-09), Adam White (2007-09)

Two Degrees

Rob Bryson

1. Trade Brewers 2008 (with Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson and PTBNL) - CC Sabathia

2. Sabathia (1998-01)

Kinston Indians (A+):

One Degree

Kelvin De La Cruz (aFA 2005), Mike Finocchi (2005-14), Jeanmar Gomez (aFA 2005), Matt Meyer (2006-15), Vinnie Pestano (2006-20), Mike Pontius (2006-43), Hector Rondon (aFA 2004), Carlton Smith (2004-21), Heath Taylor (2007-10), Josh Tomlin (2006-19), Sung-Wei Tseng (aFA 2007), Neil Wagner (2005-21), Alex Castillo (aFA 2004), Brian Juhl (2007-35), Cristo Arnal (aFA 2004), Jared Goedert (2006-09), Jansy Infante (aFA 2005), Beau Mills (2007-01), Carlos Rivero (aFA 2005), Niuman Romero (aFA 2003), Cirillo Cumberbatch (aFA 2003), Jason Denham (2004-13), Jerad Head (aFA 2005), Lucas Montero (aFA 2005), Nicholas Weglarz (2005-03)

Two Degrees

Matt McBride

1. (2006-02) supplemental for Scott Elarton

2. Elarton (FA 2004)

Carlos Santana

1. Trade 2008 Dodgers with John Meloan for Casey Blake

2. Blake (mFA 2002)

Three Degrees

Shawn Nottingham

1. Trade 2006 Mariners (PTBNL) with Shin Soo Choo for Ben Broussard

2. Broussard - Trade 2002 Reds for Russell Branyan

3. Branyan (1994-07)

Ten Degrees

John Drennen

1. (2005-01) supplemental for Omar Vizquel

2. Vizquel - Trade 1993 Mariners for Felix Fermin and Reggie Jefferson

3. A. Fermin - Trade 1989 Pirates (PTBNL) with Denny Gonzalez for Jay Bell

    B. Jefferson - Trade 1991 Reds for Tim Costo

4. A. Bell - Trade 1985 Twins with Curt Wardle, Jim Weaver and Rich Yett for Bert Blyleven

   B. Costo (1990-01)

5. Blyleven - Trade 1990 Pirates with Manny Sanguillen for Gary Alexander, Victor Cruz, Rafael Vasquez, and Bob Owchinko

6. A. Alexander - Trade 1978 Athletics for Joe Wallis

    B. Cruz - Trade 1978 Blue Jays for Alfredo Griffin and Phil Lansford

    C. Vasquez - Trade 1979 Mariners with Bud Anderson and Rob Pietroburgo for Ted Cox

    D. Owchinko - Trade 1980 Padres with Jim Wilhelm for Jerry Mumphrey

7. A. Wallis - Trade 1978 White Sox for Mike Vail

    B. Griffen (aFA 1973)

    C. Lansford (1978-01)

    D. Cox - Trade 1978 Red Sox with Bo Diaz, Mike Paxton, and Rick Wise for Dennis Eckersley and Fred Kendall

    E. Mumphrey - Trade 1979 Cardinals with John Denny for Bobby Bonds

8. A. Vail - Waiver Claim 1978 from Mets

    B. Eckersley (1972-03)

    C. Kendall - Trade 1976 Padres with John Grubb and Hector Torres for George Hendrick

    D. Bonds - Trade 1978 Rangers with Len Barker for Jim Kern and Larvell Blanks

9. A. Hendrick - Trade 1973 Athletics with Dave Duncan for Ray Fosse and Jack Heidemann

    B. Kern (aFA 1967)

    C. Blanks - Trade White Sox for Jack Brohamer

10. A. Fosse (1965-01)

      B. Heidemann (1967-01)

      C. Brohamer (1967-34)

Akron Aeros (AA):

One Degree

TJ Burton (2001-18), Kevin Dixon (2005-05), Ryan Edell (2005-08), Frank Herrmann (aFA 2005), Scott Lewis (2004-03), Chuck Lofgren (2004-04), Scott Roehl (2003-10), Reid Santos (2002-13), Tony Sipp (2004-45), Erik Stiller (aFA 2006), Damaso Espino (Purchased 2008 Royals), Wyatt Toregas (2004-24), Brandon Chaves (mFA 2008), Wes Hodges (2006-02), Brandon Pinckney (2003-12), Jose Constanza (aFA 2003), Ryan Goleski (2003-24), Stephen Head (2005-02), Nathan Panther (2002-15), Bronson Sardinha (mFA 2008)

Two Degrees

JD Martin

1. (2001-01) supplemental for Manny Ramirez

2. Ramirez (1991-01)

Steven Wright

1. (2006-02) compensation for Kevin Millwood

2. Millwood (FA 2005)

Joshua Rodriguez

1. (2006-02) compensation for Bob Howry

2. Howry (FA 2004)

Matthew Whitney

1. (2002-01) supplemental for Juan Gonzalez

2. Gonzalez (FA 2001)

Matt LaPorta

1. Trade Brewers 2008 (with Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson and PTBNL) - CC Sabathia

2. Sabathia (1998-01)

Five Degrees

Randy Newsom

1. Trade 2006 Red Sox (PTBNL) with Andy Marte, Guillermo Mota and Kelly Shoppach for Coco Crisp, Josh Bard and David Riske

2. A. Crisp - Trade 2002 Cardinals with Luis Garcia for Chuck Finley

    B. Bard - Trade 2001 Rockies with Jody Gerut for Jacob Cruz

    C.Riske (1996-56)

3. A. Finley (FA 1999)

    B. Cruz - Trade 1998 Giants with Steve Reed for Shawon Dunston, Jose Mesa and Alvin Morman

4. A. Dunston (FA 1998)

    B. Mesa - Trade 1992 Orioles for Kyle Washington

    C. Morman - Trade 1997 Astros for Jose Cabrera

5. A. Washington (mFA 1991)

    B. Cabrera (aFA 1990)

Buffalo Bisons (AAA):

One Degree

Bryan Bullington (Waivers 2008 Pirates), John Halama (mFA 2008), Jeff Harris (mFA 2007), Aaron Laffey (2003-16), Juan Lara (aFA 1999), Preston Larrison (mFA 2008), Rich Rundles (mFA 2007), Brain Slocum (2002-02), Jeff Weaver (mFA 2008), Armano Camacaro (aFA 1998), Chris Gimenez (2004-19), Yamid Haad (mFA 2007), Michael Aubrey (2003-01), Jordan Brown (2005-04), Andy Canizaro (mFA 2008), Morgan Ensberg (mFA 2008), Tony Graffanino (mFA 2008), Jorge Velandia (mFA 2008), Trevor Crowe (2005-01), Todd Linden (mFA 2008),

Two Degrees

David Huff

1. (2006-01) compensation for Bob Howry

2. Howry (FA 2004)

Zach Jackson

1. Trade Brewers 2008 (with Matt Laporta, Rob Bryson and PTBNL) - CC Sabathia

2. Sabathia (1998-01)

Tom Mastny

1. Trade 2004 Blue Jays for John McDonald

2. McDonald (1996-12)

John Meloan

1. Trade 2008 Dodgers with Carlos Santana for Casey Blake

2. Blake (mFA 2002)

Adam Miller

1. (2003-01) supplemental for Jim Thome

2. Thome (1989-13)

Jason Cooper

1. (2002-02) supplemental for Juan Gonzalez

2. Gonzalez (FA 2001)

Brad Snyder

1. (2003-01) supplemental for Jim Thome

2. Thome (1989-13)

Three Degrees

Edward (Bubbie) Buchazero

1. Trade 2006 Blue Jays for Brian Tallet

2. Tallet (2000-02) compensation for Mike Jackson

3. Jackson (FA 1997)

Jeff Stevens

1. Trade 2006 Reds for Brandon Phillips

2. Phillips - Trade with Jeff Stevens, Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew

3.  A. Colon (aFA 1993)

     B. Drew (1997-01)

Cleveland Indians

One Degree

Rafael Betancourt (mFA 2003), Paul Byrd (FA 2006; although he actually started as 4th round pick in 1991 for Cleveland), Fausto Carmona (aFA 2001), Brendan donnely (mFA 2008), Scott Elarton (mFA 2007), Matt Ginter (mFA 2008), Kobayashi (FA 2008), Edward Mujica (aFA 2002), Rafael Perez (aFA 2002), Juan Rincon (mFA 2008), Jermy Sowers (2004-01), Victor Martinez (aFA 1996), Ryan Garko (2003-03), Andy Gonzalez (mFA 2008), Jhonny Peralta (aFA 1999), David Dellucci (FA 2007), Ben Francisco (2002-05)

Two Degrees

Cliff Lee

1. Trade with Jeff Stevens, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew

2.  A. Colon (aFA 1993)

     B. Drew (1997-01)

Jensen Lewis

1. (2005-01) supplemental for Omar Vizquel

2. to 10. follow John Drennen (2-10) trail

Anthony Reyes

1. Trade 2008 Cardinals for Luis Perdomo

2. Perdomo (aFA 2003)

Sal Fasano

1. Trade 2008 Braves for PTBNL

2. PTBNL (who knows yet)

Asdrubal Cabrera

1. Trade 2006 Mariners for Eduardo Perez

2. Perez (FA 2006)

Jamey Carroll

1. Trade 2008 Rockies for Sean Smith

2. Smith (2001-16)

Grady Sizemore

1. Trade with Jeff Stevens, Brandon Phillips and Cliff Lee for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew

2.  A. Colon (aFA 1993)

     B. Drew (1997-01)

Travis Hafner

1. Trade 2003 Rangers with Aaron Myette for Einar Diaz and Ryan Drese

2.  A. Diaz (aFA 1990)

     B. Drese  (1998-05)

Three Degrees

Shin-Soo Choo

1. Trade 2006 Mariners with Shawn Nottingham for Ben Broussard

2. Broussard - Trade 2002 Reds for Russell Branyan

3. Branyan (1994-07)

Five Degrees

Kelly Shoppach

1. Trade 2006 Red Sox with Andy Marte, Guillermo Mota and Randy Newsom for Coco Crisp, Josh Bard and David Riske

2. to 5. See Randy Newsom (2-5) trail

Andy Marte

1. Trade 2006 Red Sox with Kelly Shoppach, Guillermo Mota and Randy Newsom for Coco Crisp, Josh Bard and David Riske

2. to 5. See Randy Newsom (2-5) trail

Eight Degrees

Jake Westbrook

1. Trade 2000 Yankees with Ricky Ledee and Zach Day for David Justice

2. Justice - Trade 1997 Braves with Marquis Grissom for Alan Embree and Kenny Lofton

3.  A. Embree (1989-05)

     B. Lofton - Trade 1992 Astros with Dave Rohde for Willie Blair and Eddie Taubensee

4.  A. Blair - Trade 1990 Athletics for Alex Sanchez

     B. Taubensee - Waivers 1991 from Athletics

5. Sanchez - Trade 1990 Blue Jays (PTBNL) with Mauro Gozzo and Steve Cummings for Bud Black

6. Black - Trade 1988 Royals for Pat Tabler

7. Tabler - Trade 1983 White Sox for Jerry Dybzinski

8. Dybzinski (1977-15)

Ten Degrees

Franklin Gutierrez

1.  Trade 2004 Dodgers with Franklin Gutierrez for Milton Bradley

2.  Bradley - Trade 2001 Expos for Zach Day

3.  Day - Trade 2000 Yankees with Jake Westbrook and Ricky Ledee for David Justice

4.  to 10. See Westbrook (2-8) trail

Eleven Degrees

Josh Barfield

1. Trade 2007 Padres for Kevin Kouzmanoff and Andrew Brown

2. A. Kouzmanoff (2003-06)

    B. Brown - Trade 2004 Dodgers with Franklin Gutierrez for Milton Bradley

3. Bradley - Trade 2001 Expos for Zach Day

4. Day - Trade 2000 Yankees with Jake Westbrook and Ricky Ledee for David Justice

5. to 11. See Westbrook (2-8) trail

Well as you can see, we have some very interesting trails of acquisitions. Now Jay may argue about the trail after Bud Black. We did sign him as a FA for 1989 season. But we did acquire him the previous summer. I count that as a re-signing.

If and when Barfield gets dealt, that 11 degrees hopefully will keep growing.

Unfortunately, the most ancient trail, Vizquel, will most likely wither away since I don’t expect to get a whole lot for John Drennen or Jensen Lewis. Pretty cool that Lewis can trace his origins back all the way back to a Ray Fosse draft pick in 1965. That must be one of the longest trails in baseball (and no I am not researching that).

Hope you all enjoy this read.

Dean

Edit:

According to Baseball America, we have also signed the following 2008 draft picks:

Trey Haley (2008-02), Zach Putnam (2008-05), Tim Fedroff (2008-07), Jason Rodriguez (2008-15), TJ House (2008-16), Nate Reckangel (2008-19), Bryce Stowell (2008-22), Roberto Perez (2008-33), Eddie Burns (2008-39), Tim Palinscar (2008-40)