Author: G (Page 28 of 44)

The Beacon-Journal is reporting that the Indians are serious about landing Brian Giles:

Even so, the Tribe appears willing to pay Giles $30 million for three years to play right field. Giles, of course, spent the formative seasons of his career in Cleveland, before going off to Pittsburgh and then to San Diego, where he says he would like to stay. But he already has turned down $25.5 from the Padres, who offered a three-year deal.

They also want closer B.J Ryan, but ESPN is reporting that Ryan will agree to a huge 5-year deal with Toronto. Meanwhile, Kevin Millwood is probably out of their price range as well.

Shapiro has done a great job with the financial constraints imposed on him by the Dolans, but with a big new TV contract in the works, let’s see if they step up this year.

The Chicago White Sox, fresh off a World Series championship, have acquired Jim Thome from the Phillies in exchange for fan favorite Aaron Rowand and minor-league left-handers Daniel Haigwood and Giovany Gonzalez, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2004. The trade is not official but both teams have confirmed it. It will require the commissioner’s approval because the White Sox will receive a whopping $22 million in cash to help defray Thome’s $46 million contract over the next three seasons.

Thome is 35 years old and missed most of last season with injuries, but the White Sox believe that the move protects them if free agent Paul Konerko leaves and gives them a much-needed left-handed power bat if Konerko returns.

This is a huge gamble for the White Sox. If Thome is healthy and they resign Konerko, their lineup will be improved dramatically. They also mitigated their risk by reducing the salary burden. Three years for $24 million is not outrageous, even for a slugger who might be breaking down. They have a window of opportunity with their pitching,so it makes sense to try to improve the offense and have a backup plan in case Konerko leaves.

Phil Rogers has the following take:

As much as Rowand’s approach is respected and as much as everyone enjoyed being around him for parts of the last five seasons, especially during the World Series season in 2005, it’s Thome who is on the short list of baseball’s difference-making hitters in the last decade.

He was David Ortiz back when Ortiz was floundering with the Minnesota Twins. He’s almost_not quite_a left-handed version of Manny Ramirez without the headaches.

Another way of putting it: He has resembled the 2000 MVP version of Jason Giambi more often than not the last decade.

Rogers makes a good point – Thome has been a clutch hitter. But he’s overstating the point by comparing Thome to Ortiz and Manny. Just look at their RBI numbers. Thome has NEVER been an RBI machine like Ortiz and Ramirez. For every dramatic home run, there are numerous instances where Thome fails to drive in runs. He’s always swinging for the fences. Thome will sometimes hit the dramatic home run, but great hitters like Ramirez will also hit the singles and doubles in key situations as well.

Nevertheless, the trade will probably be judged based on Thome’s ability to overcome his injuries. The White Sox gave up a big part of their future with this trade.

Seems like everyone is finding religion when it comes to Eric Wedge’s abilities as a manager and Mark Shapiro’s rebuilding strategy. To his credit, Bill Livingston joined the chorus by praising Wedge in an excellent column in Wednesday’s Plain Dealer. I couldn’t bring myself to post this on Wednesday following the Tribe’s gut-wrenching loss on Tuesday night to the White Sox, but now is a good time to talk about it after the Tribe pounded them on Wednesday night and then pulled within a game and a half of the fading Sox last night.

Livingston correctly pointed out that Wedge has excellent leadership skills:

“He certainly has sold the team on playing hard every day, concentrating for every inning, focusing on every pitch. Nothing but positive vibes carry over because the Indians wipe out what happened yesterday and don’t bank on anything tomorrow. “

Wedge has been preaching this all season, and we saw another example on Wednesday night when the Tribe bounced back from Tuesday’s tough loss with a 8-0 pounding of the Sox to take the series.

Livingston also pointed out correctly that Wedge can sometimes be shaky with his tactical decisions, but those decisions are often trumped by the more important quality of believing in his players. Many thought for example that Wedge should have juggled his rotation in September to take advantage of some off days by skipping Elarton’s turn. Wedge felt it was more important to keep the good chemistry going, and Elarton responded with a dominant September.

Livingston explained some interesting contrasts with past Tribe managers:

“Mike Hargrove always managed by the book. But he pinch-hit for Travis Fryman in a blow-out when the retiring third baseman played his last game in Detroit, Fryman’s home for most of his career. A miffed Fryman never got the curtain call he deserved. This would never happen with Wedge.

Charlie Manuel was a player’s manager, but his best player, Robbie Alomar, quit on him in a decisive playoff game. That would never happen with Wedge.”

Both are excellent points. Wedge has done a fantastic job, and kudos to Livingston for eloquently giving him his due.