If the season becomes lost, trade Betancourt?

by Toxicadam on May 27, 2009 12:47 PM EDT

With the sad state of affairs of most teams bullpens (we're not the only ones), it would seem that one of our most valuable assets that people are overlooking is Betancourt. He appears to have rebounded nicely from his disasterous 2008 season and has a good history of performance before that.

The reason I ask is because Betancourt has a 5.4 million dollar club option next year. I just can't imagine the Indians exercising that option on a middle reliever that will be 35 years old.

With his current 3.35 million dollar contract for the year, the Indians could easily agree to pay the remainder of his contract (ala Blake) and make him even more valuable.

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I think Betancourt definitely becomes a trade candidate if the Indians pull the plug on 2009.

by APV on May 27, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

In summary:

DeRosa, Pavano, Betancourt, Kelly S. are probably all on the block

Cliff and Vic are probably staying put unless you overwhelm us

Garko and Francisco can be had if you want them

Kerry Wood? Jhonny?

by Roger Dorn on May 27, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

I would obviously prefer contending over fire sales, but this could be one helluva return we get.

by supermarioelia on May 27, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

one thing about our current situation worries me.

the Indians could easily agree to pay the remainder of his contract (ala Blake) and make him even more valuable.

could they?

is it not out of the question that trades may be made in order to save costs? Dolan has already increased his investment in the team this year with little return thus far; is he going to let Shap trade away players (valuable or not) and pick up their contracts?

i honestly don’t know, but having discussions with a buddy of mine, we’re fearing that any potential trades may not have improving the club’s prospects for 2010 and beyond as the primary objective. with the increased payroll, a likely deficit in actual ’09 attendance vs. projected attendance, and the decreasing probability of post-season revenues, Dolan may give the directive to slash costs this year.

You know Selig? Ombudsman.

by rolub on May 27, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

Alternatively, Dolan may see this as a good buy-low situation — i.e., saving money in the future, by getting better players, by not trying to slash payroll as much this year.

by fleerdon on May 27, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

To be fair, none of us has any idea how Dolan feels about payroll/saving costs/shedding contracts. So all of this is speculation, tinted I suspect, with the inference that Dolan is cheap, etc,etc.

As for making trades that will help us in 2010. The better way to look at this mini-fire sale, IMO, is getting value for players that will probably be gone next year anyways. So even if we don’t trade Pavano, as an example, for a player than can help us in 2010, we’re at least getting something for him.

by world dictator on May 27, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I knew I had to tread lightly on the Dolan comments, but for the record, I am not in the “Dolan is cheap” camp. I appreciate what he’s allowed Shapiro to do as far as acquiring and retaining personnel. I just feel that there comes a point where (i’m assuming, note) he’s operating at a loss year in, year out, with the hope that a championship will provide a big payoff, be it in playoff revenues and increased revenues due to playoff success.

Of course I can’t read Dolan’s mind, so my comments are just speculation and nothing more. I just don’t know if there’s a breaking point where Dolan calls it quits, and wonder how the general economy and team’s performance affect that decision-making.

You know Selig? Ombudsman.

by rolub on May 27, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

that’s fair.

by world dictator on May 27, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

What boggles my mind about this possibility is that we think that trading one of the top 3 arms from a bullpen that has more holes than swiss cheese is a good idea.. I’ll be honest, I don’t get this one.

"I gotta be honest, I dunno much about the climate in Japan." - Matt Underwood

by USSChoo on May 27, 2009 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think anyone imagines this will happen unless all hope is lost.

by still ill on May 27, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

But EVEN if all hope is lost, I still fail to see where this leads to a better bullpen in 2010, thats all.

"I gotta be honest, I dunno much about the climate in Japan." - Matt Underwood

by USSChoo on May 27, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

So you think the Tribe should pay him $5.4 million for 2010?

by odradek on May 27, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Or to put it another way. Do you think spending $5.4 million on Betancourt is better than spending $5.4 million on another bullpen arm(s)?

by world dictator on May 27, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that with our recent track record in acquiring arms with “track records” we can more accurately gauge how Betancourt will perform. My point isn’t Betancourt or someone else, it is that we need as many QUALITY arms as we can get. As I see it we have Betancourt, Smith, Perez and Wood.. the rest are all still question marks with the possibility of Sipp solidifying.

"I gotta be honest, I dunno much about the climate in Japan." - Matt Underwood

by USSChoo on May 28, 2009 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions

track record like Vizcano, Herges, and Acquino?

by world dictator on May 28, 2009 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions

With the down economy, this may be a good off-season for dealing with free agents.

I wouldn’t trade Pavano with the rest of the rotation other than Lee still unsettled.

In any case, the Indians won’t be out of the race for sure until close to the trading deadline. Over the next 2 months, there will be a lot of juggling within the organization.

by palcal on May 27, 2009 8:16 PM EDT reply actions