Tuesday, August 2, 2011

All In-dians? : Cleveland's High Hopes

As the trade deadline passes, many teams make out like baseball bandits in the market. I've been very happy with the goings on around the league. My Phillies scored Houston OF, Hunter Pence, without needing to give up young Dominic Brown or rookie RHP Vance Worley. And the Yankees did absolutely nothing. That's got the makings of great mid season trades in my book.




But there are other teams that made waves as well. The Rangers added a great amount of depth to their already show stopping bull pen. The Giants scored Carlos Beltran from the New York and even the Mets made out well on that deal receiving Zack Wheeler.

This was expected from these teams. Aside from the Mets they are all in the Pennant race and are favorites to win their divisions. One team made some moves who were not the favorite from the beginning of the season and I'm not even sure what the experts are saying about them now.

The Cleveland Indians are only 2.5 games out of first place in the American League Central. The Detroit Tigers did add two relief pitchers they got in a trade from the Mariners, but no real offensive punch. The Indians added Colorado ace, Ubaldo Jimenez. Ubaldo had an amazing 2010 season going 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA. He's not doing as hot this year being 6-9 with a 4.46 ERA, but has not received the run support he has been used to in past seasons. To aid in Ubaldo's new run support, Cleveland went to the Cubs and picked up Kosuke Fukudome. He's had a batting average wandering in the .260-.280s for his whole career with home runs dancing around 12 a year. Not exactly a big ticket item but certainly a move in the right direction for the annually struggling Indians.

This may not seem like an "All-In" strategy but when you consider the years past, the Indians have typically been sellers not buyers. And to come out your first year in contention going after a former and potential ace, well that is a pretty big step. Add in a new outfielder to help advance your offense and you have the recipe of a team with big thoughts on their minds.

I don't see Detroit sticking it out for a while longer. The Indians just beat Boston tonight. I think they will take away the AL Central and take MLB by storm. I have no real reason to believe that other then what they have already shown me and their gung ho style before this seasons trade deadline. All I know is that the Yankees aren't a surefire pennant winner (probably wildcard though) and they stayed quiet ( except for their failed interest in, you guessed it, Ubaldo Jimenez). I also have that soft spot for the under dog. Go Indians!

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