FanPost

Dr. Smooth in an Astros' Uniform Makes Me Sick

If the sight of Michael Brantley in a Houston Astros' uniform makes you sick, you're not alone. It's not only natural, but it's healthy and normal. Let yourself feel the revulsion, because it didn't have to happen.

Brantley was the infamous "player-to-be-named-later" in the CC Sabatha trade in 2008 with Milwaukie. Matt LaPorta and Zach Jackson were the cornerstones of that trade and both flamed out. The Tribe front office got lucky when Brantley came up in 2009 and hit .313 in his rookie season.

Brantley finished 3rd in MVP voting in 2014 as he hit a career-high .327 with 20 HR and 97 RBIs. He followed that up with a solid 2015 season before shoulder and ankle injuries took away almost all of 2016 and half of 2017. The Tribe brass took a one-year gamble and picked up his $12 million option for the 2018 season, betting on a bounce-back healthy year from the ultra professional Brantley. It paid off nicely as he hit .309 and was an anchor in the batting lineup.

The Houston Astros destroyed the Indians in a 3 game sweep in last year's ALDS as we all know. Many times in sports the losing team tries to pry away the best player from the team that beat them, strengthening your team and weakening your rival. The opposite happened in this case and the Astros snapped up Brantley for a low-risk 2 year, $32 million contract, weakening us and making the Astros even better.

Brantley was a .295 hitter in 10 seasons with the Tribe. Was there some concerns about his injury history? Sure. But Houston didn't have to break the bank to sign a bona-fide clean-up hitter that no pitcher wants to see in a high-leverage situation. Brantley wanted to re-sign with the Indians and felt there was unfinished business when it came to the Indians' failures in the postseason. But he was never given the chance as Dolan made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with Brantley at the end of last season. Cutting payroll was the priority - not winning.

Now we're left to watch the Indians play musical chairs in the outfield and trot out batting lineups with more craters in it than the moon. You can't help but wonder how much farther this team would be already, and how bright the rest of the 2019 season would be with Dr. Smooth anchored in the middle of the lineup.

Life is cyclical. Years ago we got to see CC leave and get a World Series' ring with the Yankees because of Larry Dolan being cheap. Now 11 years later we get to see Brantley win a World Series' ring with the Astros due to his son being cheap. Can't wait to see what happens 10 years from now when Paul Dolan's son takes over.

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