The Deadline Looms

One summer I was glued to the TV for two straight days. Randy Johnson, arguably the greatest pitcher of the 90’s, was going to be traded. The Indians were a team that kept popping up in the rumor mill. This was long before I discovered the beauty of ESPN’s Rumor Central, so TV and newspaper (remember those?) was all I had. The deadline came and went with Johnson being traded to Houston. Too bad. The 1998 Indians really could have used him. They pushed the ’98 Yankees (one of the greatest teams ever assembled) to six games in the ALCS. Imagine if they had Johnson starting twice in that series instead of Chad Ogea. Alas. It was not to be. Both the ’98 Indians and Johnson were doomed to watch the World Series from home that year. All things considered though, it was fun to sit at the TV and watch the entire trade deadline. It is a feeling that all baseball fans can relate to. If they can’t, they aren’t really fans. Ugh. Here I go getting all mushy. What the hell happened to me? I blame my time on the west coast for all these nostalgic feelings. The worst. Anyway, here are some trades I would consider.

1. Jose Ramirez and Luigi Rodriquez for Oliver Perez: Two prospects full of potential for a top lefty reliever. Ramirez is a second baseman and Rodriquez is a centerfielder. Jason Kipnis is currently the Indians best player and Michael Bourn just signed on for four years, the Indians are pretty set at those positions going forward. In Perez they would get the lefty set-up man they have so desperately needed since Rafael Perez forgot how to pitch. While they probably need a starter more, I would be fine with them shoring up the bullpen. 

2. Ronny Rodriquez, Tyler Naquin, and Mitch Brown for Bud Norris: They really need a starter. Scott Kazmir looked good last night, but how long can it really last? In Norris they would be getting an immediate upgrade in the number three spot in the rotation for more than just this year. His numbers have never been very good, but he’s played on some truly terrible Astros teams. Nolan Ryan couldn’t win with these chuckleheads the Astros are marching out there. Naquin was our top draft pick a year ago, but he figures to be a centerfielder. Bourn has that locked down. He also is a lefty and we have plenty of those up and down the line-up. Top prospect Francisco Lindor is one of the highest rated prospects and a shortstop, so no need for Rodriquez. And Brown? He’s an 18 year-old pitcher. Who the hell really knows his upside? 

3. Tyler Naquin, Ronny Rodriquez, Dorssys Paulino, and Luigi Rodriquez for Matt Garza and James Russell: This would fill two key needs in the rotation and bullpen. Garza would probably be a rental player (there’s no way they have the money to lock him up long term), but he would come in and immediately add tremendous depth in the rotation. He has playoff experience and spent most of his career in the AL East (the best division for the last ten years). Russell would be the lefty reliever needed to round out the bullpen. The only hesitation here would be Paulino. He can play 3rd base and who knows if Lonnie Chisenhall will every realize his potential. Then again, his first name is pretty silly, so . . . you know . . . there’s that. 

4. Every prospect we have and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for Cliff Lee: This could only work if Philly agreed to swallow a chunk of his contract. There’s no way they would, but man it would be sweet to see him back in Cleveland uniform. Only the Indians would trade a pitcher away the year after he won the Cy Young Award and trade him they did back in 2009. He would come in and immediately be the ace of the staff. A one-two punch of Lee and Masterson would elevate the Indians to World Series contenders. Too bad it will never happen. Stupid Phillies.