Byrd to migrate west?

by ClevelandCrazy29 on Feb 15, 2009 6:31 PM EST Comment 33 comments

Why don't the Indians try to resign Paul Byrd. He is a veteran who already is liked by the fans. He also has playoff experience. You also can't tell me you wouldn't want to have Byrd pitching the final out to clinch the Central over someone like Scott Lewis. Byrd would also be a pretty cheap pick up considering the fact that a star like Abreu only got 5 million. I just wanted to find out what you guys thought.

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Byrd, if you didn’t know, is going to sit out this spring, and might come back in the middle of the season.

by Ryan on Feb 15, 2009 6:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hmmmm middle of the season is probably around the time we could really use him once Pavano and/or Reyes prove ineffective or injured. Although he really doesn’t look like anything better than what already have lined up (Huff is obviously a better candidate, and Lewis and Sowers are probably as good).

by hans on Feb 15, 2009 8:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m seeing Westbrook, Huff, and Laffey at that point, and not necessarily in that order.

Actually, I don’t expect vintage Westbrook in 2009—anecdotally, TJ patients seem to take a half-season for their stuff to recover. For the same reason, I’m (relatively) optimistic about what Pavano can do this year.

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Feb 15, 2009 9:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hello MTF,

As I just mentioned in my post below, I think a 75-80 percent Westbrook would be as good, if not better, than a 100 percent Byrd. I agree though that Westbrook likely will not be back to his 100 percent self until 2010, just as Tony Sipp was not his 100 percent self when he came back in 2008 (though he was quite good at only 75-80 percent). I think anything positive we get from Westbrook this year has to be considered a bonus; we should only really count on him contributing in 2010 like he has in the past, which is all the more reason why it was a good idea to sign another veteran starter like Pavano, even with his flaws and weaknesses.

Just my 2 cents.

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Feb 15, 2009 9:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would rather have Scott Lewis pitching that final out.

We have about eight scrap-heap and prospect pitchers who could be decent this season. Byrd would not be one of the best rotation candidates among that group, and we don’t need a ninth candidate.

by Jay on Feb 15, 2009 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hello Jay,

I agree with your first statement – while Byrd was a good teammate and overall nice guy, he’ll still certainly cost more than Lewis. Additionally, his “stuff” is going in the wrong direction (i.e. he’s getting older); while he has more experience than Lewis, Lewis’ better (even if just slightly) stuff and ability to improve would give him the edge in my mind over Byrd.

Plus, under that scenario, if Lewis is in the rotation for a good portion of the year (possible, though debatable), Lewis would have a good deal of experience where he wouldn’t be a “green” rookie when pitching in September to win that last game that clinches the AL Central.

I also agree that Byrd doesn’t seem any better than the guys already in that hodge-podge of pitchers competing for the back-end of the rotation. Arguably, even a 75-80 percent (seems the percentage sign doesn’t show up in these posts when you use the percentage sign) Westbrook would likely be as good or better than a 100 percent Byrd, so again, I don’t see why you’d have to sign Byrd, even if it only takes $5 million or so to do it.

Just my 2 cents.

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Feb 15, 2009 9:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Five million? It might not take two million.

by Jay on Feb 15, 2009 9:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was originally going to say 2-3 million, then thought that would be too low, since pitching is still considered at a premium (though admittedly, there are still some other pitchers out there who have more stuff than Byrd, so my original inclination may have been more on target – my bad).

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Feb 15, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Joe, I agree, but I take exception with this line:

Lewis would have a good deal of experience where he wouldn’t be a "green" rookie when pitching in September to win that last game that clinches the AL Central.

That’s totally unrealistic. We’re gonna clinch in July.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Feb 15, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s spelled J-U-N-E. Common mistake.

Carmona for Cy Young 2009

by danvail on Feb 16, 2009 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like my playoff beard is going to be pretty robust by the time October finally rolls around.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Feb 16, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve already started mine.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Feb 16, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I kept mine from 2007, hoping for some good mojo.

by NickFantana on Feb 16, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nick Fanwinkle

by Logodaedalus on Feb 16, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

I shaved the day after inauguration. Started re-growing immediately.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Feb 16, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s not a playoff beard unless you start it when we’ve reserved a spot in the playoffs.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Feb 16, 2009 8:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Noted. Does anyone have shears?

by NickFantana on Feb 16, 2009 8:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ooooooh playoff beards

So 2009.

by Gradyforpresident on Feb 16, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can I just do a goatee or something? I just can’t pull off a beard.

-Erik

by drerikbrady on Feb 16, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hasn’t stopped me from rockin’ my “beard” for years

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Feb 16, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I technically need to shave mine for a show. I’m not bringing it up if the costume guy doesn’t. My plan is to let it slip by unnoticed until opening night and go “oops, oh well.”

"Less of an Indians fan" - Jay

by Voltaire on Feb 17, 2009 12:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs