Trey Haley is a major league pitcher.

Trey Haley is a major league pitcher.

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From this, the more that our offense needs band-aids, the more I think Antonetti might be willing to part with a bullpen arm if the guy is over-valued enough by a trade partner.

10 months ago rolub 11 comments 0 recs |

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Haley is rehabbing. It’s hard to see him as anything but a distressed asset at this point, not really a “sell high” candidate. Although who knows?

by Jay on Jul 19, 2011 4:21 PM EDT reply actions

whoops; as I re-read this when I said “the guy” it can appear that I meant Haley, but I meant anyone in the bullpen. I keep hearing about teams needing bullpen help and set-up men being the sought-after trade targets that I wouldn’t mind trading MLB-level talent from the ’pen if we have guys (potentially Haley) who can help next year.

You are reading my signature.

by rolub on Jul 19, 2011 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

While Haley is having a solid start at Kinston as a reliever (though he struggled a bit with command on Tuesday), I think he’s not in the Top 5, and probably not even the Top 10 in terms of bullpen reinforcements for 2012, even if we trade an arm.

I’m sure I’ll be missing a name or two, but I can still think of these guys who are all higher than Haley, and will be to start 2012 in all likelihood.

Judy
Putnam
Lee
Hagadone
Espino (not the impact of the other guys, but could fill the role of a long reliever/spot starter/short bullpen guy)
Miller (yes, THAT Miller, who is getting close to arriving in Columbus – health and adaptations are his biggest questions)
Burns (his stuff may not be great, but it’s not stopping him at AA so far in 2011, and probably will be in AAA before 2011 is over)
Sturdevant (who had a nice AAA debut; probably just a spot call-up, since he has just limited AA experience, but still, nice nonetheless in getting his first AAA save)
Langwell (another reliever who doesn’t look impressive “on the surface,” but is doing a solid job to make people take another look)

Even a guy like De La Cruz, if he could get consistent command, would be higher up than Haley at this point, being that De La Cruz is already at AA, whereas Haley has just made High-A.

Certainly, Haley is making nice progress, but I think the earliest he could maybe help the Indians is late 2012 at best (and probably just a cup of coffee in all probability), and that’s presuming he handles High A, AA, and AAA in late 2011-2012. His getting to AAA by the end of 2012 would be incredible progress for a guy who has command issues since he was drafted (along with not being able to use his best pitch until this year, I believe).

Realistically, I think Haley is probably not ready to be a reliable ML bullpen arm until the second half of 2013, especially since he’s been erratic as a starter, has had some health issues, and is just transitioning to the bullpen. Certainly, I hope he can progress quickly, but I doubt that the Indians rush him, just like they’ve been taking their time with Hagadone and Lee, so I think the chances of Haley being a viable bullpen arm for the Indians won’t be until the 2013 season at the earliest (maybe a cup of coffee in the Majors in 2012, but that’s likely it unless there are a ton of injuries and/or ineffectiveness, hopefully, neither of which come to pass).

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

by indiansfan on Jul 20, 2011 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Great to have you back. Nice to see that 60-day DL stint didn’t knock anything off your secondary stuff, but I’m having trouble figuring out the value of this post!

by gte619n on Jul 20, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Antonetti might be willing to part with just about anyone who is “overvalued enough by a trade partner.” The trick is knowing when enough is enough.

@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on Jul 19, 2011 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

I basically agree, although I take him at his word as to how they deal with the concept of “value.” Meaning, it never is really about some mathematical, generalized concept of value, but rather about the specific value of the player to the Indians at that moment in time (including future value). To figure that out, you’re not looking at league averages as much as who slots in behind that player if he’s moved, and how much or little that will affect the team on the field in the majors.

by Jay on Jul 19, 2011 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions