Mailbag: Sorting out the Coco trade
01/30/2006Don't you think that trading away Coco will definitely hurt the chemistry of this team? Coco was not only a spark plug at the top of the lineup, but he seems like a very nice person to have on your team, and one that produces quite well. -- Josh M., Ravenna, Ohio
I'm wishy-washy on this trade. I certainly understand its long-term merits. But this question cuts to the heart of my deepest concerns about the deal.
I see general manager Mark Shapiro's concerns with Crisp. He has a weak arm, his more natural position is center field, (a position locked up by Grady Sizemore), he struggles against left-handed pitching and he has yet to find a way to fully utilize his speed on the basepaths.
I also understand the ideal projections of corner outfielders. They are expected to produce power numbers, which are not exactly Crisp's forte.
All that being said, it's a special thing in this game when a lineup gels the way last year's one through six hitters did in the stretch run. Crisp was a key part of that chemistry. He was great in the clubhouse, great with fans, and in many ways, embodied the spirit of this young club's resilience and hunger.
So while I appreciate statistical projections and ideology, I also appreciate the beauty of a bunch of guys who simply play well together. I'm sure White Sox fans feel the same way.
I fully trust Shapiro's vision for this team, and I think that, after last season, Crisp's value couldn't be higher. Andy Marte is the type of right-handed bat we've been whining about for two years, and it's pretty apparent that we're not going to get that via free agency. I like the trade. I don't think the risk is as big as the potential benefits. Though I do like Crisp, a stud third baseman would look nice in the middle of our lineup, even if it's not until late '06 or '07. -- Russ W., Monterey, Calif.
Last week, I told you guys and gals I received about 50 e-mails about the trade, with none in favor of it. If you're looking for an update, the tally jumped to, probably, 400 or 450, with maybe 25-30 fans in favor of the deal.
So here's one from the minority. You make good points, Russ, and I'm not going to discount the merits of this deal in the long term.
A third base prospect of Marte's caliber is a rare commodity in this game. Power-hitting third basemen don't come up in free agency very often, either.
Add to the equation that the Indians don't have a legitimate third baseman waiting in the wings beyond Aaron Boone (who is under contract through '06, with a mutual option for '07) and acquiring Marte makes a lot of sense.
It's just that it makes the most sense in the long term.
I don't understand how Josh Bard and Kelly Shoppach got involved. Isn't that part of the deal a wash? Is one more highly regarded than the other?
Oh, and to all those out there who say, "Who's our right fielder going to be?" I have this to say back: Jerome Bettis. He's been in big games, he's got power, and at 33, his best power years are ahead of him. And Bettis is a huge baseball fan (he is part owner of the Altoona Curve of the Eastern League). In fact, he has his own baseball bobblehead doll. -- Jason K., Riverside, Calif.
The Shoppach and Bard portion doesn't seem to be a wash to me. Shoppach is a very highly regarded prospect with a power bat. Bard's bat was and is a work in progress.
Shapiro hinted that Shoppach could be moved to another team (the Red Sox fielded many offers for him), but it's much more likely he'll be Victor Martinez's backup in '06.
Some have already speculated that Shoppach could become the full-time catcher, with Martinez making a permanent move to first base, but I think it's a bit premature to make such an assumption. We've never seen what Shoppach can do in the big leagues, nor do we know how strong Vic's first base skills are. I reckon we'll get a little taste of both as the '06 season progresses.
As for Bettis, he's got a Super Bowl to prepare for. And if you're serious about placing him in right field, it's quite possible "The Bus" could use you as his tackling dummy.
With the Crisp and Rhodes trades complete, our Opening Day outfield looks like it'll be Jason Michaels, Sizemore and Casey Blake. I don't think anyone would argue that Sizemore pretty much has center all tied up. But with all the skepticism about Michaels and the lack of ability in the field from Blake last year, what are the chances we will see some younger guys or even Todd Hollandsworth get some regular starting time at either corner of the outfield? -- Tim K., Hiram, Ohio
The Indians were hoping to add a right fielder this offseason to move Blake to more of a utility role, but as of now it looks like we can pencil him in as the right fielder. Hollandsworth will most likely be the backup to both Blake and Michaels. And if the former Rookie of the Year has anything left in the tank, who knows? He could end up stealing a job before all is said and done.
Still, I'm going to go out on a not-so-crazy limb here and guess that Franklin Gutierrez is the regular starter in one of the corner outfield spots by the end of the year. Perhaps as soon as July, depending on how things shake out.
Here we go again with the Indians being the Red Sox and Yankees' farm system. Check your history. Do you remember Ted Cox? -- Carl K., Alliance, Ohio
Cox's '78 and '79 seasons were historic -- historically bad. But what ever happened to that Eckersley character the Indians traded for him?
OK, point taken, Carl. Here's another fan favorite dealt away for a third base prospect from Beantown. And today's game is no different than the game in the late '70s, in that prospects burn out just as much now as they did then (read: Brandon Phillips).
Clearly, the Indians are gambling. And Marte, already dealing with the stigma of being traded twice in the same offseason, will have a lot to live up to when he makes it to The Jake.
As bad as it is seeing Coco go, we'll have to move on. Who is going to bat second now? When the Indians cemented one through six in the lineup last year, the offense began to click. Is Ronnie Belliard going to move up from sixth to second? -- Dan W., Erie, Pa.
The Indians see Michaels as Crisp's replacement not only in left field, but also in the two hole. They feel strongly that his .399 on-base percentage last season was no fluke, and he cut his strikeout total nearly in half from 2004 (80) to '05 (45).
Michaels, though, isn't much of a base-stealer, so the Indians will see a decrease in speed near the top of the order. Crisp, though, never really established himself as a consistent base-stealing threat, either.
I think the Crisp deal is excellent. We need prospects and future stars. Marte is the next Brooks Robinson. I've seen him play. He doesn't let a thing by him. He has the potential of hitting 45 home runs and batting .320. My cousin who lives in Atlanta almost had a heart attack when he was traded to Boston. -- Jacob H., Cleveland
Though there's no telling what his power ceiling is, no one I've talked to sees Marte as a potential .320 hitter. He's more likely to top out at or just below .300.
Defensively, the Indians feel Marte is Major League-ready. But he needs to cut down on his strikeouts at the plate.
Now that Shapiro has given up on the 2006 season, do you think the Tribe can get a couple of good prospects for Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta? -- Jordan L., Columbus
Ouch. We've got a live one here.
I'm not sold on this deal's short-term value, either, Jordan, but I don't believe Shapiro has given up on 2006. He's made a move he feels is in line with his dual-vision of keeping this club competitive now and in the future. Only time will tell if that move was the right one.
For now, though, some fans are just plain brutal. Like this character ...
Let's trade Travis Hafner for Dufas Duflunkie. --- Anonymous, Cleveland
Hey now, don't discount the value of Duflunkie. He's coming off a great season with the Triple-A Macon Whoopees.
If it's time to be paid, Larry Dolan will trade! -- Bob Z., Garfield Heights, Ohio
I don't mean to sound like an apologist for anybody, especially with regard to a trade I don't 100 percent agree with, but I really don't think this deal had much -- if anything -- to do with money. Yeah, Crisp was due for a raise, but that's not why the Indians shipped him off. They traded him because Boston dangled the rare carrot that is a prime third base prospect in Shapiro's face, and he bit.
The Indians' payroll has increased rather drastically this offseason, and Shapiro could have spent more than he did, if Trevor Hoffman, Brian Giles and Nomar Garciaparra didn't turn down his offers.
In fact, Shapiro said the other day that this is the first time in years salary won't be much of an issue if the Indians look to add a player through a trade during the course of the season.
The $3.05 million Crisp was asking for did not send him packing. Marte did.
OK, that's enough Coco banter for one lifetime, though I'm sure we'll be exploring the effects of this trade for years to come. Let's turn the focus to another matter at hand ...
What is your pick for the Super Bowl? -- Jeremy M., Cincinnati
My prediction is as follows: The Steelers will become the first Super Bowl team to not only post triple digits in points but to hold their opponent to a negative point total, 108-(-)7.
Oh, and the Rolling Stones will play "Honkey Tonk Women" at halftime.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
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