Maybe even trade Peralta as a SS in mid-2009 if the tribe is out of contention again. We’ve got guys coming up to cover 2B/SS/3B in Valbuena, Rivero, Chisnell, and perhaps even Hodges over the next couple of years.

I think the Indians do need to see more from Valbuena before they shift their entire infield to accommodate his arrival. Plus, you still have Hodges as a borderline 3B.

Well, I’m thinking long-term here, even if “long-term” means just through 2011, which is how long the Indians still have control over Peralta. So when DeRosa is gone after 2009, both Peralta and Cabrera are set at their positions and you just swap in Valbuena or Barfield. Plus you immediately get an upgrade in defense.

(a) This.

(b) DeRosa may not be average at 2B anymore. His 2008 RZR certainly was not average.

My guess is that he’s about as good at 2B as Blake as at 3B, and he’s quite a bit better at 3B.

Hello odradek,

You said what I meant, but my main point was that if Jhonny is moved to 3B, his value would diminish in other teams’ eyes because we don’t “see” him as a SS any longer, plus the fact that his offense at 3B would only be about average, whereas it’s elite or close to it at SS.

Once Peralta gets moved off SS, it’s unlikely he’ll get moved back there long-term, by us or by another team. Therefore, I think the Indians don’t want to move Peralta off SS unless it was absolutely the best move for 2009.

According to a recent article on Ohio.com (and probably by Castrovince as well), Shapiro said that he was not comfortable with Peralta shifting to 3B, nor did he want to shift both Peralta and Cabrera to different defensive positions for 2009. Additionally, some metrics and reports suggest that DeRosa is better at 3B than at 2B, which would add to the reasons why the Indians want him to play primarily at 3B, not 2B.

This move also gives Valbuena more time to fully develop as a hitter, being that he was rushed through Seattle’s system, much like Cabrera. Cabrera also needed to “catch his breath” as well, so I think this trade was a very solid and smart trade by Shapiro.

Just my 2 cents.

:(

Er, yes, I meant that too. Okay just making sure I followed.

That’s definately Simmons.

with the MLB network on now?

Agreed. It’s not on the players — they just want to play. I just can’t understand why the organization would allow it, given the significant investment they have made, particularly in starting players. Apply this situation to another industry. Say I am a sales guy and my company relies on me hitting my sales numbers for the year to make its projected revenue targets. But I come to them and say, I’d like to go work for someone else for a few weeks during a given year, taking away from time I could be using to improve my understanding of the sales techniques my company uses (read: spring training) and gettting better at employing those techniques in my daily work (read: regular season). And the other company I want to work for during that time offers no compensation back to my existing company for the time I am away, and no protection back to my company if I am injured on that job. I mean, what company would allow that? If baseball is a business, I just think the Tribe should apply the same rules that would apply in the rest of the business world.

There seemed to be a good chance that both Fernando Cabrera and Andrew Brown would be much more than middling setup men. It’s the risk you take.

I think Shapiro means it when he said something to the effect of, “we’re not looking to just steal a guy.” We’ve flat-out stolen players before, but the bargains are seemingly tougher these days and we can’t expect that the magic will happen in every deal.

Then said, we’ve exploited a team that wanted DeRosa, but apparently needed to dump 5 million dollars in a hurry. That tells me we’ve benefited from the timing. Everyone agrees that DeRosa and Blake are more or less similar. Compare the return for rental-Blake to the expense for rental-DeRosa. Meloan is at least Stevens’ equal, and our two pitchers are nowhere near as valuable as Carlos “No. 1 prospect” Santana.

Jeff Stevens is going to pwn the Franchise in every Cubs-Reds matchup for the next few years. That will be sweet enough for me.

We focus on the future, but you can’t play the game that way. Maybe Valbuena doesn’t make it. Maybe Asdrubal gets injured. You have a plan, an alternative, but no one can predict how things will shake out. Asdrubal may well be the shortstop of the future, but you can’t be certain of it.

I’m fine with keeping JP for a year. I think the JP contract situation is already in the mix here: next season at mid-season is the first time JP becomes a reasonable trade option in my mind.

I wonder what happens to that club option if he gets dealt.

The alleged need to shift our infield is an argument against playing DeRosa at 3rd not against acquiring him. This is twice as true if you can’t suggest a viable option at 2nd base. Realistically DeRosa was probably the best option available considering defense, production, and price.

Let’s not forget that DeRosa doesn’t just play 2nd/3rd, he plays in the outfield too. This gives us a great chance to adjust our lineup depending on the situation.

On top of all of that, there’s a good chance we can get at least a supplemental pick when he leaves as a free agent next offseason. That pick alone is arguably more valuable than any of the players we traded.

I just chalk the Cubs and Brewers fans being pleasant to the whole Midwesterner Niceness thingy. Then again, if one thinks of ChiSox fans and that whole theory goes in the toilet. But definitely, agreed that the thoughtful, considerate fans that have stopped by are a fresh of breath air.

Is Wedgenius related to Mangenius? :-)

If that’s the case, we have a major family reunion here – Shapiro – his sister and Mangenius – Wedgenius – could it equal 2 championships (Indians and Browns)? :-)

And, the Cavaliers are making a push as well – are their brighter days ahead for Cleveland sports? Let’s hope!

Just my 2 cents.