Now, as you know, the Cleveland Indians did not live up to their predicted potential this past season. They had injury problems, and some players did not perform to their full capabilities.
Now, it was not all that bad—Cliff Lee, who came back from a season (2007) of disappointment in which he was demoted to Triple-A Buffalo, won 22 games and claimed the AL Cy Young award this season.
Obviously, after watching this season go down the tubes, you say to yourself that GM Mark Shapiro has got to do something this offseason. Well, they have the money, but the question is whether they'll spend it.
The Indians have said publicly that they are in the market for a closer and have talked to the all-time saves leader, Trevor Hoffman, in hopes of signing him, and they are also possibly in talks with the Colorado Rockies about a trade for Huston Street. To get Street from the Rockies, the Tribe would have to give up a Franklin Gutierrez or Ben Francisco.
- B/R Ticket Guide
In my opinion, the Tribe should not stop at a closer and call it quits. They sure could use help at second base, and the guy who comes to my mind is Orlando Hudson, who played last year with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hudson is a fast, switch-hitting second baseman who can field very well. He could be the leadoff hitter and move Grady Sizemore to the 3-hole, which would give the lineup a little more depth.
If they did sign Hudson, they could move Asdrubal Cabrera to short, which is where he should be playing, and Peralta to third assuming they don't bring back Casey Blake. Signing Blake would not only be a fan-favorite move, but help the team in the clutch. He is a good third basemen, and Shapiro has said he would consider re-signing him after trading him away last season to the Dodgers.
There is also one more possible free agent I would like to bring up, and that none other than Pedro Martinez. He is 37 years old and can still pitch. He would help out the Indians rotation to bring some veteran leadership; as long as he stays healthy, he would come at a cheaper price as opposed to signing a big-namer like Derek Lowe or C.C. Sabathia.
Don't forget the Indians will have Fausto Carmona, Cliff Lee, Anthony Reyes, and Jake Westbrook next season in the rotation, and I could definitely see Martinez in the mix! Hopefully, Mark Shapiro wont sign a Jamey Carroll and call it quits this offseason like he did last year.
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