I have to wonder whether or not the Royals deal that went down didn't put the Indian's deal on the front burner and on Antonetti's speed dial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqDo8Iu0WkU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJzMGO_0hbM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxM1vsNEwmY

joez wrote:I have to wonder whether or not the Royals deal that went down didn't put the Indian's deal on the front burner and on Antonetti's speed dial.

Had absolutely nothing to do with it !

Listened to a Baseball America podcast analysis of the Trade. Their three reporters all call it a Big Win for the Tribe. They all like Bauer plenty. Think Padres devalued him foolishly before the trade. At age 21 of course he's immature but has great talent and has been very successful except for in 4 of his 5 major league starts. No other team in baseball would have traded him for Gregorius. Stubbs and Reynolds in the same lineup will excite any opposing pitcher. No mention of any of the other guys we picked up. Indians lineup is OK with the young core up the middle of Santana-Kipnis-Cabrera-Brantley plus Chisenhall. Pitching was awful before the trade and even at age 21 Bauer may become the No. 1 pitcher. No comment on other possible Tribe deals. But for one year rental of Choo this was a great deal

I won't be surprised if Choo's numbers spike this coming year. He is going to a hitter paradise, and in his FA year. No brainer.

(Not to mention being on a contender)

Once Swisher signs somewhere else or they pull their offer, I think AC is traded for another SP and a corner outfielder.

I wouldn't be at all surprised you are right Vic.

The espn report today says Tribe still "aggressively pursuing" Swisher. He would fit right in as our Choo replacement and then we still could deal Cabrera for pitching.

I think Mickey Mantle spent about four years of his career striking out. There are worse things.

--such as hitting into DPs.

Unfortunately neither Stubbs nor Reynolds is quite a Mickey Mantle, more like a Rob Deer or a Russell Branyan, but we don't expect much of our corner men in Cleveland. I do wonder where they'll fit in the lineup. I would expect Reynolds 5th behind Kipnis, Brantley, Cabrera and Santana, so he'll fan, or homer, with plenty of guys on base. Stubbs should be at the bottom behind Chisenhall, Swisher(??), Canzler and/or Carrera/

I think you can forget Swisher.

What I want to see is a batting order in which the 2-3-4-5 slots do not correspond exactly to the four defensive positions up the middle.

During the Winter Meetings the Indians said they had some financial flexibility by extending a four-year, $44 million offer to outfielder Shane Victorino. That's $11 million a year. He signed with the Red Sox.

The Indians made overtures to both Youkilis and Swisher. They were going to offer Youkilis a deal worth $18 milliion for 2 years. That's $9 million a year.

They have reportedly made a four year offer for Swisher's services. But Jim Duquette of Sirius XM radio said that Swisher has "multiple four-year offers". Who would the second one come from?

Swisher made $10.5 million with the Yankees. I'm assuming that the deal the Indians are offering is in the $11 million to $12 million dollar range.

Michael Bourn is still available. "Bourn is good enough to win games with his glove or his legs or his bat." Bourn's asking price of $12-15 million a year. Likely a four year deal. "The team that signs him will be plenty happy they did."

Swisher is 31 years old. Kevin Youkilis is 33. Michael Bourn is 29.

So! If the Indians are willing to offer Youkilis and Swisher the big bucks, I'd rather have Michael Bourn. He's younger and more athletic that the other two. Question is......do the Indians wail until it's too late.

Question is......do the Indians wail until it's too late.

You seem to always forget that the player gets to decide where he goes. Why would Bourn sign before Swisher ? Why did Swisher wait for Hamilton to sign ? There is a pecking order if you are one of the elite free agents.

rusty2 wrote:Question is......do the Indians wail until it's too late.

You seem to always forget that the player gets to decide where he goes. Why would Bourn sign before Swisher ? Why did Swisher wait for Hamilton to sign ? There is a pecking order if you are one of the elite free agents.

When it comes to knowing things about pecking order, Rusty and his thoughts and personal differentiations on peckers just add up to more losing seasons for his personally loved, Mark Shapiro regime.

This Cleveland Indians Franchise is destined to lose, lose, lose......with Shapiro/Antonetti in charge and Dolan as the owner.

Guys and maybe Gals, just go find something else fun to do for awhile....or a few years....until they are gone.

There is no joy in Cleveland Indians Mudville.

Not tomorrow. Not soon. Not on any horizon.

Just another post from TFISC drowning his sorrows ! Let's all hope that he does not get rolled again tonight by local kids looking for an easy touch.