• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

Indians Tidbits (2006 season)..

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
CPD

BASEBALL

Tribe's Shapiro talks to Gonzalez - Luis

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Paul Hoynes

Plain Dealer Reporter

General Manager Mark Shapiro, in his search of a veteran hitter, had lunch Friday afternoon with outfielder Luis Gonzalez and his agent, Gregg Clifton, in Phoenix.
Gonzalez, 39, hit .271 with 15 homers, 52 doubles and 73 RBI for Arizona this year. In September, the Diamondbacks told Gonzalez, the most popular player in franchise history, that they would not exercise his $10 million option for 2007.
Shapiro was in Phoenix watching several Indians prospects play in the Arizona Fall League.
"I think it was very positive," said Clifton. "Luis was impressed with Mark, and I think Mark was impressed with Luis."
The Indians need a second baseman, closer and a couple of setup men. Shapiro also wants a veteran hitter, who can help out at a corner outfield position or first base.
"Mark didn't say this, but they had such a good 2005, and then took a step back in 2006," said Clifton. "I think they're looking for a guy who can show them the way if they hit another bump in a road. Somebody who can say, 'Guys, I've been through this before.'
"Luis relishes the veteran role. And it's not like he can't play. He had over 70 extra-base hits. . . . And he's very motivated after what happened this year with the Diamondbacks."
Moises Alou is another veteran hitter the Indians like. They have been linked to a rumored trade for Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield.
Baltimore, Texas, Cincinnati and San Francisco are among the teams who have shown interest in Gonzalez.
Teams are not allowed to make bids on free agents until Nov. 12.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-5158
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
ABJ

View from Pluto

Don't look for Belliard to return

By Terry Pluto

Don't pay attention to any rumors about Ronnie Belliard coming back. If the Indians do sign him, that means they ran out of ideas and options. While their public stance is to keep the door open with Belliard, they are knocking on lots of other doors first.
? The fear with Belliard is that his chunky 5-foot-8, 200-pound body would age quickly. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in the middle of a pennant race, and batted only .237 with five homers and 23 RBI in 194 at-bats. His on-base percentage was a dismal .295, his defense average at best. He hit .240 (12-of-50) in the postseason. In the World Series, he was 0-for-12, and played in only three games. St. Louis is not sure if it wants him back.
? With the playoffs and free agency coming, Belliard had tremendous motivation to play well -- and just didn't. He will be 32 in April. The Indians talked about improving their infield defense. Well, Belliard was leading the American League in errors at second when he was traded. It just doesn't make much sense to return to Belliard.
? On the free-agent market, there is only one solid glove at shortstop. That's Alex Gonzalez, who was with the Boston Red Sox last year. The Indians will check him out, but he'll probably go elsewhere. Julio Lugo (16 errors, 81 games) can hit, but he is not a good shortstop and the Indians (as of now) don't have him on their hot list. Unless they work a surprising trade for a shortstop, they probably will hope Jhonny Peralta works hard in the winter to improve his speed and flexibility so he can play at least an average shortstop. Then they'll shop for a second baseman.
? Alfonso Soriano is the big name as a free agent, and he'll receive a massive contract from some team. It won't be the Tribe, so fans can stop thinking about that happening. While he doesn't like the outfield, he's better suited out there than at second base.
? Assuming Andy Marte has a solid spring, he'll open at third base. Here's something to consider: In 50 games for the Tribe, he started 14 double plays. Project that over the season, and it's 42. That would be the second highest in the majors. Only Eric Chavez (43) had more. Marte had six errors in 50 games, which projects to about 18 in 150 games. That would have ranked ninth in the majors. Point is, he'll be a major defensive upgrade at third over Aaron Boone, who had 16 errors and started only 16 double plays in 101 games.
? The Indians believe Marte at third will help cover up some of the range problems for Peralta at shortstop. Marte started slowly at bat (.105, 4-of-38, but settled in once he relaxed. Marte finished by hitting .262 (33-of-162) with 14 doubles, five homers and 21 RBI in 36 games. Thirteen of his last 19 hits went for extra bases.
? Marte will be only 23 on Opening Day. Scouts project him as a hitter in the .265 range, but he could hit 25-35 homers with 90 RBI. He has power. The Indians rate him as an average third baseman who is getting better with the glove. He has been voted the top defensive third baseman in his league in each of the past four minor-league seasons by opposing managers and coaches.
? Not sure how this fits, but Kevin Kouzmanoff impressed the Tribe with his play at first in the Arizona Fall League. As always, he hit (.389). They think that he can be well above average at first, and he's rated ahead of Ryan Garko right now with the glove. He was barely rated average at third in the minors. He batted .379 combined between Class AA Akron and Class AAA Buffalo last season. It breaks down like this: .450 vs. lefties, .346 vs. righties, .336 with runners in scoring position.
? Of course, this creates a crowd at first with Garko (.292 with 45 RBI in 50 games), Kouzmanoff and possibly Victor Martinez seeing time at first base. Garko and Kouzmanoff are both right-handed hitters, so there is no natural platoon. It is possible they could trade Garko or Kouzmanoff in a major deal. At some point, they will have to deal some prospect to improve the team in the present.
? Notice how the discussion of second base ended with dismissing Belliard? That's because there are no obvious targets in free agency. The Indians are looking hard at other teams for trade possibilities. Free agents such as Adam Kennedy, Mark Loretta and Todd Walker are fallback positions. The Indians have long liked Walker, but he's below average defensively as is more of a utility man.
? Some fans have wondered about trading for Alex Rodriguez. The Indians actually have discussed it internally. The problem is more than A-Rod's massive money. He has a no-trade clause, and so far, he has no interest in playing anywhere but a major market. Another concern is that he can agree to a trade, but his contract allows him to become a free agent after the 2007 season. So a team such as the Tribe could give up a lot (and the price will be high in veteran players to New York), then A-Rod could play here for a year -- decide he doesn't like it, and declare himself a free agent after 2007.
? I have no real information on this, but I sense the Indians are trying to acquire a power-hitting outfielder. They know they are weak in left field. Adam Dunn is available from the Cincinnati Reds, but he's below average with the glove. In the past three years, he's averaged 187 strikeouts, along with 42 homers and 96 RBI. He's not tops on the Tribe's list, but they had discussed him.
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
Josh Barfield to the Tribe for Kevin Kouzmanoff and Andrew Brown. I hate to lose Kouzmanoff, but Barfield did look promising last year.

ESPN

SAN DIEGO -- Josh Barfield, who hit .280 for the San Diego Padres last season, was traded Wednesday to Cleveland for Class AAA prospects Kevin Kouzmanoff and Andrew Brown.

Barfield had 13 home runs, 32 doubles and 21 stolen bases in his rookie season for San Diego.
The Padres, however, were content to deal Barfield because of Kouzmanoff, who hit .389 in Class AA last season and .353 in 102 at-bats at Class AAA Buffalo. He hit a grand slam homer in his first pitch for the Indians in September.
He finished with a .214 batting average and three home runs in September duty with the Indians, but the Padres saw enough to deal Barfield.
Brown was 5-4 with a 2.60 ERA in 62 innings for Buffalo a year ago.
The trade was first reported on the website of the San Diego Union-Tribune, which noted that Marcus Giles, currently the second baseman for Atlanta and brother of Padres' outfielder Brian Giles, might attract the Padres' attention.
The Padres are also considering Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura, a third baseman who could move to second, according to the Union-Tribune. Iwamura plays for the Yakult Swallows.
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
Beat me to it MolGen.

Great move as Kouzmanoff had no place on this roster with the glut of 1B/DH types on this team and Barfield fills a huge need on the Indians and can be a good 2 hole hitter and maybe a leadoff hitter? I do know Barfield is better than any free agent 2B the Indians could have gotten.
 
Upvote 0
Oh, here is a better link explaining the move. And if anyone wants to shorten the link feel free as I am not good at such things.

http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/pd...s/cleve_pdsports/archives/2006_11.html#202969

Indians get Barfield from Padres
pd_clear_sm.gif


3:40 p.m.

The Indians have acquired second baseman Josh Barfield from the San Diego Padres for infielder Kevin Kouzmanoff and right-hander Andrew Brown.

Barfield, the son of former Toronto outfielder Jesse Barfield, hit .280 (151-for-539) with 32 doubles, three triples, 13 homers and 58 RBI as a rookie this year. He stole 21 bases in 26 attempts and scored 72 runs for the NL West champs.

The Indians, since trading Ronnie Belliard in July, have had a hole at second base.

Barfield, 23, made 102 of 138 starts in the No.8 hole. Spacious Petco Park did him no favors. He hit .241 at home and .319 on the road. Twenty nine of his 48 extra base hits came on the road.

Indians officials feel the dimensions of Jacobs Field will help the right-handed hitting Barfield, who hit .331 against lefties.

Kouzmanoff, who hit the first pitch he saw in the big leagues for a grand slam in September, hit .214 (12-for-56) with three homers and 11 RBI for the Tribe. Brown, who is out of options, had no record and a 3.60 ERA in nine appearances for the Tribe.

The Padres need a third baseman, Kouzmanoff?s primary position. He hit a combined .379 (131-for-346) with 28 doubles, 22 homers and 75 RBI in 94 games at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Buffalo.

Kouzmanoff's path to the big leagues was blocked in Cleveland. They are committed to Andy Marte, 23, at third with Ryan Garko, 25, pushing hard for playing time at first base. The Indians might still add a veteran first baseman this winter, but Garko made a case for himself by driving in 45 runs in 50 games last season.

Travis Hafner, whose broken right hand in September created playing time for Kouzmanoff, is one of the best designated hitters in the American League.

"Our strength at the corner positions has allowed us to acquire a young second baseman that will help our team this year and beyond," said GM Mark Shaprio. "In Josh Barfield we are acquiring an everyday middle-of-the-diamond player with upside who plays the game hard, with professionalism and is coming off a successful first Major League season."

Barfield made the major-league minimum of $327,000. He is represented by Scott Boras.

Paul Hoynes, [email protected]
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
Piney;656087; said:
Beat me to it MolGen.

Great move as Kouzmanoff had no place on this roster with the glut of 1B/DH types on this team and Barfield fills a huge need on the Indians and can be a good 2 hole hitter and maybe a leadoff hitter? I do know Barfield is better than any free agent 2B the Indians could have gotten.
Click to expand...

My first thought when I saw the deal was that he'll be the leadoff man. He only had an OBP of .318 to Sizemore's .375, but it would sure be nice to get some men on base for Grady.
 
Upvote 0
Also of note when I read the ESPN article of the trade that Barfield had the 3rd best fielding percentage of 2nd basemen last year. Seems like we will finally have an infielder that knows how to play defense :biggrin:
 
Upvote 0
Basically we got Brandon Phillips back today....a solid fielding 2nd baseman, with some pop in the bat and good wheels....i think this was a good move and a good start to this off-season compared to our miserable off-season from last year
 
Upvote 0
Never heard of the guy but it sure sounds like a great move. Now we just need to find a shortstop that can actually play defense or hope that Peralta bounces back and loses about 15-20 pounds and play like he did when he was a rookie. I think the next move on indiands pecking order has be finding a bonafide closer which will not be easy.
 
Upvote 0
kouzmanoff currently has a hammy injury, and has had some chronic back problems as well. he was just not going to get a chance here.

brown would have never survived the rule 5 draft anyway, so cleveland got something for them in return. this was one of the better moves shapiro has made lately. plus, barfield has a little bit of speed unlike hector luna and pudgy belliard.
 
Upvote 0
At first I was taken aback by this trade. Kouz and Brown? Those two guys have potential to be stars! Then I realized (and several posters here did too) that Kouz was like 3rd in line at first. The Tribe has Garko, Martinez (when not catching, which should be more) and Hafner (when not DHing). Kouz was not playing here. Brown is tougher to rationalize, but the Rule 5 draft makes a good point

Overall, a great trade. In Barefield, the Inidians got a young, talented 2nd baseman to shore up their greatest weakness (IMHO). Now the bullpen.....
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top