MLB Trade Speculation: Cleveland Indians Could Target Anthony Rizzo (12.20.11)

In their never-ending quest to find a first baseman, the Cleveland Indians could look into acquiring San Diego Padres first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

When the San Diego Padres received Yonder Alonso as a part of the package for Mat Latos, they opened up questions about their commitment to Anthony Rizzo. Padres GM Josh Byrnes has said that he feels comfortable sending Rizzo back to AAA for another year, but it has also been reported that teams have already started callingthe Padres about Rizzo’s availability.

The Indians are still in need of a first baseman and would be smart to look into Rizzo. He had a terrible major league debut in 2011, but his numbers at AAA were quite impressive.

2011 Majors: 49 G, .141/.281/.242 slash line, .523 OPS (51 OPS+), .248 wOBA, 1 HR, 9 RBI, -0.4 WAR

2011 Minors: 93 G, .331/.404/.652 slash line, 1.056 OPS, .433 wOBA, 26 HR, 101 RBI

So which Rizzo is the real one? The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle, but considering Rizzo was only 22 last year, it’s amazing that he’s already made his major league debut. He may still need some seasoning in the minors, but hitting home runs at a 40 per season pace in AAA is hardly a fluke. Read More…

From Bleacher Report, December 20, 2011

 

Cleveland Indians: Projecting the 2012 Opening Day Roster, December Edition (12.19.11)

With the Winter Meetings finished and many free agents finding new homes, the Cleveland Indians‘ Opening Day roster is pretty well set. That does not mean that Chris Antonetti and Co. will not find some ways to tweak the roster before Spring Training, however.

Most of the Tribe’s roster are no-brainers, but there are still a few spots up in the air or changing. The Indians acquisition of Aaron Cunningham from the San Diego Padres is one that will have a definite impact on the future of some Indians’ players.

I’ve already predicted what the roster will look like back in October and November, but with the picture clearer now, let’s take another stab at the exact players who will be wearing Indians uniforms at Progressive Field on April 5, 2012.

 

Albert Pujols to LAA Angels: Kendrys Morales, Mark Trumbo to Cleveland Indians? (12.8.11)

With the news that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have signed Albert Pujols, the Angels now have two other first basemen in Kendrys Morales and Mark Trumbo that the Cleveland Indians could acquire in a trade.

I still can’t believe that Pujols left St. Louis – especially for the Angels — but that is neither here nor there. What fascinates me is the massive surplus of first basemen the Angels now have. Sure, they are in the process of trying to move Trumbo to third base, but the fact still remains that the Angels will likely deal at least one of their current first basemen to make room for Pujols.

Well, the Indians are in dire need of a first baseman. Do either Trumbo or Morales fit? Read More…

From Bleacher Report, December 8, 2011

 

MLB Trade Rumors: Carlos Lee Would Give Cleveland Indians Right-Handed Pop (12.7.11)

If the Cleveland Indians were to make a trade with the Houston Astros for Carlos Lee, it would give them the right-handed power bat they so desperately need in the outfield and at first base.

After striking a good deal with the Atlanta Braves for Derek Lowe, the Indians are apparently in on another deal similar to that one with the Astros for Lee. The Braves are paying $10 million of Lowe’s $15 million salary in 2012, giving the Indians a solid innings eating starter at a decent price for the small-market team.

Considering that Carlos Lee is due to make $18.5 million in the final year of his deal in 2012, the rebuilding Astros are understandably reluctant to have him on their roster come Opening Day. The Astros have told teams they’ll eat half of that figure to trade him, but it does not seem that the Indians will be willing to take on that amount of money for Lee.

I doubt the market for Lee is that heavy right now, so it is completely feasible that the Tribe will be able to knock that price tag down to around $6 million—or the same 2/3 figure the Braves had to eat to trade Lowe. In that case, the price would be right for the Indians. Read More…

From Bleacher Report, December 7, 2011

 

MLB Trade Speculation: Cleveland Indians Should Make a Push for Matt Garza (12.5.11)

Though the Cleveland Indians do not have the best trade pieces, they should still make a strong effort to acquire Chicago Cubs’ starter Matt Garza.

With the news that Theo Epstein and Co. are open for business on their ace starting pitcher, the Indians should join the numerous teams vying for Garza’s services. At age 27, Garza had a true breakout season in 2011:

10-10 W-L, 3.32 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 3.19 xFIP, 8.95 SO/9, 2.86 BB/9, 3.13 SO:BB, 5.0 fWAR (tied for 13th in the majors)

The Indians have two top of the rotation pitchers in Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez, but the rest of the rotation is suspect. Josh Tomlin, Fausto Carmona, Derek Lowe, Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff, Zach McAllister, Scott Barnes all profile as fourth or fifth starters in 2012, leaving the Tribe with a decent, but not great, rotation.

The question marks regarding the Tribe’s 2012 lineup are plentiful. Can Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner stay healthy? Can Shin-Soo Choo bounce back? Can Jason Kipnis, Lonnie Chisenhall and Michael Brantley become everyday players? Can Asdrubal Cabrera avoid regressing to his pre-2011 form? Can Carlos Santana take the next step into stardom? Who will play first base?

None of these questions can be easily fixed since these players are all under contract and going to be a part of the 2012 team. Thus, it’s possible that the Indians could look to fortify their rotation to counteract the potential issues they will have on offense. Read More…

From Bleacher Report, December 5, 2011