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Tribe listens to trade offers But finding one that works ...
Friday, July 6, 2007
BY ANDY CALL

DETROIT It's July, which means it's time to talk trade.

Indians Manager Eric Wedge didn't seem to mind at all taking part in the annual ritual enjoyed by baseball fans during the weeks leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. Teams who absolutely are sellers and those who absolutely are buyers, like the Indians, must begin laying the groundwork now for deals to be completed during the next three weeks.

"(General Manager) Mark Shapiro and I have talked about it multiple times," Wedge said Thursday morning, prior to Cleveland's game against Detroit at Comerica Park. "We've talked about specific names. I know this - we're not against doing something."

Figuring out what "something" would be for the Indians isn't hard. Cleveland's roster is practically screaming for the addition of a veteran relief pitcher to work the late innings and a left-handed outfielder who can add some pop in the middle of the order.

"There's not a team out there not looking for bullpen help or a bat," Wedge said. "(A veteran reliever) would take the heat off our back-end guys a little bit. I've been very pleased with the way our young outfielders are competing and producing. But, with (David Dellucci) on the DL, (a left-handed hitter) would be what we need for our lineup right now."

The only player Cleveland has been linked to in recent legitimate baseball media reports is Kansas City closer Octavio Dotel, who had talked to the Indians about a free-agent contract over the winter. Another intriguing possibility is former Cleveland reliever David Riske, who has allowed two earned runs in his last 28 innings (0.64 ERA) with the Royals.

The biggest name among left-handed hitting outfielders who may be available is Ken Griffey Jr., but he would need to waive a no-trade clause.

The list of available players is short. The list of teams who want them is long.

"You look at what's out there, and it's not a long list," Wedge said. "What everyone envisions in a trade isn't out there. Those front-line guys are tough to come by, or unrealistic to get."

INJURY REPORT LHP Aaron Fultz (rib cage) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Thursday and reported no negative effects. Wedge said Fultz will throw another bullpen session Saturday in Toronto, then a simulated game next Thursday in Cleveland, before being activated from the disabled list. ... Dellucci (torn hamstring) is doing range-of-motion exercises in Cleveland, Wedge said.

IS FERNANDO BACK? RHP Fernando Cabrera had allowed just one run over nine innings from June 1 through Wednesday. Wedge said Cabrera, who became something of a forgotten man in June, could return to regular work. "I've got a short memory," Wedge said. "That's a good thing. He's capable of really helping us if he gets back on track."

THE MILLER WATCH RHP Adam Miller, Cleveland's top pitching prospect, will return to Triple-A Buffalo's starting rotation. Miller had made three relief appearances since coming off the disabled list. ... RHP Matt Miller who hasn't pitched for the Indians since May 14, needs some time to "get himself going" at Buffalo, Wedge said.

ALUMNI REPORT Former Indians catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. was called up Wednesday by the New York Mets from Triple-A New Orleans. The Mets were concerned about being short a catcher if Paul LoDuca's two-game suspension is upheld. Alomar was hitting .323 with 29 RBIs in 38 games at New Orleans.

ON THE FARM Double-A Akron third baseman Rodney Choy Foo hit two home runs and drove in four runs Wednesday during an 8-6 victory at Bowie. Choy Foo is batting .284 with a .395 on-base percentage, 9 home runs and 33 RBIs. He has been charged with only three errors in 59 games.

Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail andy.call@cantonrep.com

lincoln

Jr??

no thanks, we already have a DH.

Sometimes the best deals at this time of the year are the deals ya dont make, unless it's for a veteran arm, and we dont have to sell the farm & the Virgans, i'm all for it.

Virgins are just way too valuable nowadays.

Seriously, you're right. Make the right trade.

Jr.? Imagine that Reds fans...

We need to make a big move this year, no cheap stuff, this is our year to win...

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Jr.? Imagine that Reds fans...

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Jr.'s gotta be moved, Reds are so bad and need young talent and Jr. is the biggest trade comonity they have to do that, there's others Dunn, ect, but Jr. is the biggest and they have to move him to get younger talent for the future.

we dont need to give up young players for another DH or a one year plug who might hit the 15 or 60-day DL at anytime...

I don't know if I would want Riske back. Who cares about what he's doing for the Royals, I just know about what he DIDN'T do for the Indians.He's as reliable as Fernando Cabrera...that ain't saying much.

It seems like a lot of teams are in need of those middle relief guys. That is where the Tigers need help if they want to get into late October.

I like the Tribe's lineup, but it wouldn't hurt to have another HR hitter either.

Does anybody think we could be one of the potential buyers of Jermaine Dye? He's the big corner outfielder we've been needing...And Nixon just isn't cutting it...

I think we could take a shot at Jermaine Dye, just be careful and not give the White Sux too much in return..

Sox won't trade Dye to the Indians. They'd want to send him the the NL or at least a team in the AL they don't have to play 19 times a year (or compete for a division title against).

............I'd want him though.

As far as Grif goes.....meh. Not interested.

Adam Dunn ?

Were gonna be faced with signing Pronk or C.C. If Reds wanna a coule young players and we can get Dunn, then the money saved might go towards signing C. C. and face it a # 1 starting pitcher is more valuble than a home run hitter, which leaves pronk on the outside, getting Dun this year might add a HR hitter to our lineup this year and give leverage to sign C. C. if we can afford what he's worth, What did Zito get....

What Tribe wants to get in trade, rivals want, too

Late-inning reliever, hitter in outfield needed; minors could yield pitcher

By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter


DETROIT - It won't be long before this season's gaggle of contenders makes a headlong rush to snap up the 10 or 12 best players being dumped by the also-rans.

This year, the Indians are prospective buyers, and General Manager Mark Shapiro has said repeatedly that money won't stand in the way of acquiring a player for the stretch drive.

The trading deadline is July 31, and teams are beginning to engage in serious talks with possible trading partners.

``Mark has had conversations with specific organizations, but nothing to where he's close to getting anything done,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

Shapiro's priorities have been clear all year: Find a pitcher to help Joe Borowski and Rafael Betancourt at the back of the bullpen, and try to acquire an outfield bat.

``The problem is, what everybody envisions is just not out there,'' Wedge said. ``Getting that premium power bat is an unrealistic objective. And there's not a team out there that isn't looking for bullpen help and a bat.''

There have been rumors that Shapiro has talked to the Texas Rangers about relievers Eric Gagne and Akinori Otsuka. Moreover, the Rangers are believed to be willing to move Mark Teixeira, though because he's a first baseman, it would be difficult for the Tribe to accommodate him.

The Houston Astros seem willing to move late-inning reliever Brad Lidge. If so, there will be plenty of competition for his services.

Jermaine Dye is having a sub-par season for the Chicago White Sox, who probably would trade the outfielder, but maybe not to a division rival.

``I'd like to take some heat off those back-end guys,'' Wedge said of his bullpen.

In defining the team's need for a hitter, Wedge said: ``With David Dellucci out, we'd probably look for a left-handed hitter. But I'm pleased with the way our outfield is producing right now.''

If the Indians are unable to trade for a reliever, they might have help on hand in the farm system.

Triple-A Buffalo reliever Matt Miller and starter Adam Miller are options. Matt Miller, however, has had trouble staying healthy. Adam Miller is the Tribe's top prospect, and the club would be willing to break him in as a reliever, even though he is a starter in the long term.

``Matt had to shut it down for a few days, but he's back throwing,'' Wedge said. ``We need to give him time to get going. We'll see what happens.''

If Adam Miller receives a promotion this season, it won't be immediate.

``He would be an option either way,'' said Wedge, referring to the possibility of starting Miller or using him in the bullpen.


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Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.

lincoln

Talks ongoing for Hafner deal

Friday, July 06, 2007
Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Detroit- The Indians and agents for Travis Hafner are expected to meet in San Francisco next week during the All-Star Game festivities to continue contract negotiations that were suspended in April, but have started to percolate again in the last several days.

Last year, the Indians did most of the work on a four-year, $14 million extension with left-hander Cliff Lee during the All-Star break. The deal wasn't announced until August.

"I will not comment specifically on Travis Hafner," said General Manager Mark Shapiro, "but we've always said the All-Star break is a natural period to examine contract situations."

Negotiations were halted in April with a deal close at hand. The Indians hold a club option on Hafner for 2008. Assuming they pick it up, he's eligible for free agency after that season.

Hafner had a good April, hitting .338 (27-for-80) with five homers and 16 RBI. He's struggled since, hitting .228 (23-for-101) with five homers and 24 RBI in May and .218 (19-for-87) with three homers and 12 RBI in June. After going 1-for-4 in Thursday's 12-3 loss to the Tigers, Hafner is hitting .257 (74-for-288) with 14 homers and 54 RBI.

It's unknown if Hafner's slump is the reason that negotiations were reopened.

The Indians entered the season facing three big personnel decisions involving Jake Westbrook, C.C. Sabathia and Hafner. They signed Westbrook to a three-year, $33 million extension and are negotiating with Hafner. Talks with Sabathia have been tabled until after the season.

Sabathia, like Hafner, can be a free agent after 2008.

Scott Parker, working for Legacy Sports, is the lead agent representing both Hafner and Sabathia. It's believed Sabathia's negotiations will stay tabled until the end of the season.

Help wanted:


Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge talk daily about possible trades to improve the team.

"We're not against doing something," said Wedge.

Wedge said he's talked about specific players with Shapiro, but the market is thin.

The Indians, like every contender, could use a late-inning reliever and a hitter. In the Indians' case, Wedge said a left-handed hitter would fit nicely because of David Dellucci's hamstring injury.

The hitter of every Tribe fan's dream, however, probably isn't unavailable.

"That premier power bat or corner bat, those front-line guys, are tough to go buy or unrealistic to get," said Wedge.

Wedge said he'd like to add someone to ease the burden on relievers Rafael Betancourt and Joe Borowski. If not, he said he's been intrigued by how "our three young right-handers have thrown in the last couple of days."

He was referring to Tom Mastny, Fernando Cabrera and Edward Mujica.

Wedge was asked if Cabrera could pitch himself back into a meaningful role after thrashing about for two months.

Wedge nodded and said, "I have a short memory."

Mujica, who allowed four runs while recording one out in the sixth inning Thursday, better hope that short memory applies to him as well.

Testing, testing:

Aaron Fultz (strained right intercostal muscle) threw a bullpen session Thursday. He's scheduled to throw another Saturday in Toronto.


If all goes well, he'll throw a simulated game during the Tribe's Thursday workout following the All-Star break at Jacobs Field. Then he's expected to be activated.

Down the road:

Right-hander Adam Miller returns to the starting rotation at Class AAA Buffalo on Sunday. It will be his first start since May when he strained a ligament in the middle finger of his pitching hand.

Miller came off the disabled list as a reliever.

"He'll go back in the rotation now to build up his arm," said Wedge, who added there is a chance the Indians would use him in the pen in the second half.

Finally:

Promising lefty Tony Sipp suffered a setback in his recovery from a spring-training elbow injury.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

lincoln

Well, just by those two articles, it seems we are more attracted to grabbing a reliever instead of an outfielder right now..

Bring Back Jim Thome!!!

even if just for nostalgia!

And Omar too!!

I would be down with bringing Jim back.

Nah to both.

More pitching would help. You can NEVER have enough of that.

But seriously..the only Red I would want is Josh Hamilton...alchy and all, the kid can hit...

He wasn't an alchy, he was a crack head silly.



I'd love for someone to take that big lazy terrible fielding I don't give a crap Dunn off our hands.

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I'd love for someone to take that big lazy terrible fielding I don't give a crap Dunn off our hands.

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Dunn belongs in the American Leauge, he's a born DH

Actually, he's a born beer league softball player.

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Actually, he's a born beer league softball player

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He's one of us.....

3. Griffey
4. Victor
5. Travis

Folks, that is solid.

Folks...say what you will about Griffey.....but frankly there are worse things I can imagine than watching him swing a bat.....I could care less if he struck out swinging at every at bat(ok well that isn't true...lol) But watching his swing is just poetry in motion.....

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Are you serious, Hamilton is the only quality player the Reds have at this point other then Griffey!

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Umm, did you forget about Harang, Phillips, Weathers, and Encarnacion?

Hatteberg is having a good season as well, but with Votto doing well in the minors, he probably will not be back next year.

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Harang? LMAO!

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You are laughing at a 9-2 record, with a decent ERA? And he pitches in GABP.

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You Reds can't talk smack about our Pitching staff.

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Way to change the subject Find where I said anything about the Indians pitching staff.

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Your trying to pimp your pitcher with a 9-2 record....

(See the shack)

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No, you are the one who quoted his name and laughed.

Have there been other corner outfielders out there besides Griffey and Dye, that we could have a legitimate shot at grabbing by the deadline??

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You Reds can't talk smack about our Pitching staff.

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Nobody was doing so....

Can you answer the question? Why are you "LMAO" at Harang??

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Paul Byrd (Has not walked a batter since like April)

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He walked a guy his last outing on July 3rd......and he walked 2 guys in 5 appearances in June....

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Cliff Lee

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ERA of +5....

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Jake Westbrook

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1-4.... +6 ERA.....


Any other tales you care to tell???

Re good good middle man - it's a matter of "Supply and Demand" Shapiro's going to have to pay a big price to do the deal.

Short supply and big demand will drive prices up.