Trade Winds

[Beanpot]

Let's see, so far we've read about Lee and Victor going elsewhere. Toss in DeRosa and LaPorta, sez Olney:

 

If Ortiz doesn't start hitting soon, the Red Sox will need to look for an alternative, using their surplus of pitching to try to make a deal for some talented young hitter, like a Matt LaPorta of the Indians.

 

The Mets already are considering first-base alternatives, because Carlos Delgado is having surgery today, writes Steve Popper. Mark DeRosa would be a perfect alternative, because if Delgado comes back in August, the Mets could use DeRosa in other ways. Talent evaluators with rival teams don't think the Mets have a lot to surrender in a trade, so they expect that New York will opt for a mid-level solution rather than a high-end player who would cost a lot.

 

Certainly, if the Indians trade DeRosa during the season, they will want pitching in return. The frustration level is high for Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge.

 

Not that there's any substance to the writings, but there's little doubt that the frustration level is a lot bit higher than high. At least it better be.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=4...;type=blogEntry

 

Beanpot

[CIMO.]

Sure Boston, we'll take your old, worn down, washed up, less than one dimensional DH who can't even H for our stud hitting versatile 24 year old.

 

Can't imagine what Buster could've possibly been thinking when he wrote that one, especially as a guy who's shown a lot of support for the Tribe.

 

 

 

DeRosa really wasn't ever more than a 1-year plan, so I won't really concern myself with who we get for him, if anything. Delgado's not much of a building block, but the man can clearly hit.

 

 

edit - Crap. I missed the part about it being them trading their young pitching for LaPorta. All the same, I can't imagine the Tribe trading any of their top prospects...even if it's for more prospects.

[SoCalBrownsFan]

Do NOT trade LaPorta, DeRosa is expendable at the right price.

[Beanpot]

Heyman weighs in:

 

Indians third baseman Mark DeRosa is one of the first veterans to hit the trade block.

 

Cleveland is now fielding offers for the versatile DeRosa, league sources say.

 

The Indians are looking mainly for pitchers who can help them now. Although they are off to their second straight horrible start, the Indians are apparently not close to giving up hope in a tight AL Central. Pitching has been their main problem in their 14-26 start (8 1/2 games back from the division-leading Tigers).

 

The Mets are one possibility for DeRosa, since the versatile 34-year-old could play first base, but it's believed Nick Johnson tops their wish list, with Aubrey Huff or possibly Russell Branyan likely ahead of DeRosa. The Mets would have greater interest in Indians star Victor Martinez, but there's no indication Cleveland would consider trading him.

 

DeRosa is a skillful utilityman who can also play second base and both corner outfield spots. He plays many of the same positions as Casey Blake, who was traded from Cleveland last summer to the Dodgers in a deal that helped both teams (the Indians received stud catching prospect Carlos Santana).

 

DeRosa is a free agent after the year and makes $5.5 million.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/base...ians/index.html

 

That "tight AL Central" is no longer that tight. It's fair to assume that there's not a front-runner to be had, but good luck betting on a team 9 games out in this division to suddenly right the ship.

 

Beanpot

[CIMO.]

With Ben Francisco getting time in Center, could he be getting showcased? I can't imagine we'd get anything significant for him, but a guy who can play all three outfield spots, and has been a pretty good base stealer this year....you never know what he could fetch from a contender.