I really don't think you need to be bringing up Brantley right now. He's NOT going to start for the Tribe in 2010.

Leave him down and give Francisco or even Crowe (who should be up before Brantley) more playing time to see if either can start in LF or if LaPorta needs to remain out there for a year or two.


And giving LaPorta and Brantley each 3-4 starts a week will be close to impossible with the team you're proposing.


I'm all for seeing Brantley in September....but not before then.


Rondon should be up soon. But don't forget about Jake Westbrook. Should be back in August, and hopefully early August. He won't be counted on for a lot, but he needs to get some ML innings in to give him some confidence in that arm and prepare him for 2010, as he'll be needed in a big way.


I agree with leaving Carmona down....but Perez and Lewis really should be left down too for a bit longer. Personally wouldn't mind seeing Ohka moved back to the pen and Sowers getting some ML starts. The bullpen is his likely landing spot if he's even with the team next year....but what do you have to lose in giving him a couple more starts?

I also think Gimenez should possibly get a bit more playing time. As things stand now, he'll likely make the team next year as a utility man. He can play 3B, 1B, OF, as well as catch and even some 2B in an emergency.

Same with Barfield. You need to figure out what do do with him and quick.


I really, really don't want to lose Marte for nothing after the season......but it looks like that's the route the Indians may go....

I believe the Indians should trade Garko, Shoppach, and Peralta as long as they are not giving them away for nothing. That would free up time for Marte, Toregas, and Laporta and would also allow them to bring Barfield up to replace Carroll in utility role. Might as well see what you have for next year now.

I fully expect Brantley to be on this team next year and probably starting at some point next year.

Giving LaPorta and Brantley 3-4 starts a week is feasible.. with six games a week on average

1st base - Garko (3 starts), LaPorta (2 starts), Martinez (1 start)

Left Field - Francisco (2 starts), Brantley (2 starts), LaPorta (1 start)

Martinez plays more catcher and fills in for Pronk once a week at DH. Brantley gets another start between giving Choo and Sizemore a day off every other week. Hmm, looks like it works to me.

You cannot count on Westbrook coming off of Tommy John. He's already been set back once. We'll be lucky if he's the Jake of old by Spring Training 2010.

Crowe is essentially not even a prospect anymore. He had an extended chance (more than LaPorta anyway) and stunk it up. Gimenez isn't a big deal, if he plays, he plays. Utility man should not be the concern right now.

What exactly do Lewis and Perez need to prove at AAA? That they can have a 1.00 ERA for the rest of the year? They need to come up here and get confidence at the big league level back.

Garko could definitely be traded, but Peralta and ShopVac are at their lowest value ever right now, and to trade them you would be taking a SIGNIFICANT LOSS. I'm not saying they won't, but they're not going to get much.

Thanks to both of you for commenting.

Don't get me wrong, I love Brantley and think he'll be a solid MLer eventually...but he's not ML ready right now.

His OF defense while greatly improved, still needs some work.


And you're totally overlooking Jordan Brown who NEEDS to be called up before either Marte or Brantley are even considered.

Brown may be needed for the Tribe bench next year, which has no lefties on it as things stand now (I'm fully expecting Valbuena to be starting at 2B next year).


This team needs to see if what Brown can do at the ML level and if it's worth rostering him.


Bringing up Brantley is only going to clog up the roster and take at-bats away from guys that need them.

We NEED to see how Garko handles playing everyday the rest of the year. Would it shock you if he went on another hot streak like last year? AGain, Garko's has been BETTER offensively than even Victor in their last 350 at-bats.

See if he can build his trade value even more and possibly deal him in the winter. He needs to be playing 6 games a week. Not 3 or 4.

And Brantley and LaPorta also need to be playing 5-6 games a week. Not 3-4. Don't ruin them like we have so many other great prospects before them.


As far as Lewis and Perez, it goes back to seeing guys like Abreu (who we traded for) can do at the ML level. We do NOT need 8 bullpen guys...which we currently have. Adding 2 more guys to the team isn't the answer right now. They both need to get more consistent before bringing them up.

Perez was already down once and brought back....how'd that work? He's not ready to return and needs to be left down.


Westbrook should be fine in 2010. Obviously there's a chance he won't be but most are fully ready to go once 1.5-2 years removed from surgery, which he will be next spring (had the surgery June 12, 200.

Remember that Westbrook doesn't rely on a 95-97mph fastball. It'll be easier for him to come back than most. Westbrook did have a setback...but not a big one. Actually was suprising that he hadn't yet had one up to that point. Most have them much earlier. He also had hip surgery don't forget.

He should get in 6-7 starts though and could go to winter ball to build that arm up.



As far as Crowe...the dude is hitting even better than Brantley in AAA right now. Plays all 3 positions better than Brantley. He had an extended stay...but not extended playing time. Never started much. He's most likely just a 4th OFer...but there are MANY that think that's all that Brantley may ever be due to his lack of power.


We need to see what crowe can do now more than Brantley, period.

See if he can build his trade value even more and possibly deal him in the winter. He needs to be playing 6 games a week. Not 3 or 4.

And Brantley and LaPorta also need to be playing 5-6 games a week. Not 3-4. Don't ruin them like we have so many other great prospects before them.

As far as Lewis and Perez, it goes back to seeing guys like Abreu (who we traded for) can do at the ML level. We do NOT need 8 bullpen guys...which we currently have. Adding 2 more guys to the team isn't the answer right now. They both need to get more consistent before bringing them up.

Perez was already down once and brought back....how'd that work? He's not ready to return and needs to be left down.

Westbrook should be fine in 2010. Obviously there's a chance he won't be but most are fully ready to go once 1.5-2 years removed from surgery, which he will be next spring (had the surgery June 12, 200.

Remember that Westbrook doesn't rely on a 95-97mph fastball. It'll be easier for him to come back than most. Westbrook did have a setback...but not a big one. Actually was suprising that he hadn't yet had one up to that point. Most have them much earlier. He also had hip surgery don't forget.

He should get in 6-7 starts though and could go to winter ball to build that arm up.

As far as Crowe...the dude is hitting even better than Brantley in AAA right now. Plays all 3 positions better than Brantley. He had an extended stay...but not extended playing time. Never started much. He's most likely just a 4th OFer...but there are MANY that think that's all that Brantley may ever be due to his lack of power.


We need to see what crowe can do now more than Brantley, period.

-I did overlook Brown a bit, he could be another one that could/should come up.
-I don't think the difference between 3-4 games vs. 5-6 games will adversely affect those two much. It's only getting 1 start a week that would. The ML experience will outweigh any other problems from that.
-To be fair, Perez did pitch slightly better. I would rather watch those two (Jensen and Raffy) work it out here than the other bums.

The reason is I KNOW that Perez and Lewis are capable of being solid setup men. Teams have given up Veras and Abreu for nothing or next-to-nothing. I did leave Chris Perez in there remember. If you want another one in the pen, could have Sowers learn the pen in Columbus.

I agree that Westbrook should recover especially not relying on speed, but just stating that we shouldn't COUNT on him being in big league rotation this year.

Crowe could get another shot, but he is 25 and Brantley is only 22. Brantley has a WAY higher ceiling, and his base stealing are something very intriguing for top-of-the-lineup potential. Crowe only has 11 steals in 43 games. Brantley has 34 in 89 games. Crowe's average is better (by 15 points), but other than that they are pretty close if you scale things.

There is a HUGE difference between 3-4 games and 5-6 games a week (ask anyone in baseball). Big reason LaPorta struggled was cuase he was only playing 3-4 days a week. Needs to play every day, period.

Not every other day, not 2 out of 3, EVERYDAY. Until you can guarantee him that, keep him down. Same with Brantley.

Guys like Fransico and Crowe though? Well, they are getting up there in age (as you pointed out). They are probably past the stage of deserving everyday ML time. But see who fits better as a 4th outfielder for next year (and Brown). One or two will be on the roster next year....but who?

Again, Crowe has hit better overall and plays better defense...plus can play RF (Brantley has absolutely no arm and can't).

Crowe is the better fit for this team next year (neither should/will start, and crowe fits the bench better).

You also have to remember that Brantley isn't on the 40-man....who do you take off to add him? You have to save 2 spots for Westbrook and Scott Lewis who should be back by the end of the year. Plus Brown, plus the PTBNL we get from ST. Louis may be on the 40-man.

There's a lot to consider here....and if you want to add Marte on top of all this, there's no room for Brantley really.

No offense....but how has Lewis proved to be a ML reliever more than some of the 'bums' on the Indians?

Lewis had a solid 2nd half in 2007...then had to be demoted in 2008. Pitched well in September....when facing minor league callups. Then this year? Been terrible again.

Veras has had nearly as much ML success to be honest. Not saying I like him more than Lewis (I don't), but Lewis still has a LOT to prove. He may not even make this pen next year to be honest.

Abreu is a vet...could turn out to be the next Betancourt.....or just fade away to nothing. No harm in seeing what he can do the rest of the year.

One guy you have that I think should be let go is Ohka. Ok with keeping him now....but once Carmona is back he shouldn't even be in the pen.

Has no future with us and has pitched very poorly lately.


O....and just a side note (if anyone hasn't seen), Betancourt may be traded tonight......just an FYI....