This column was first published on LandLoyalty.com on April 24, 2011.
When you trade a Cy Young Award winner, as the Indians have done twice in recent years, you figure you ought to get something pretty darn good in return. Back in 2008 when the Tribe was dealing CC Sabathia, rumors were swirling about what was being offered in return for the Tribe ace.
When all was said and done, the Milwaukee Brewers offered the best package, centered around first baseman Matt LaPorta. It also included pitchers Zach Jackson - who turns 28 in a few weeks and is in the Texas Rangers system with the Round Rock Express – and Rob Bryson, who is impossible to locate. Then, there was that ‘player to be named later’ that had fans intrigued for a while.
Some thought it would be Mat Gamel or Taylor Green, others were hoping for Alcides Escobar or Lorenzo Cain. (Escobar and Cain were part of the package the Brewers sent to Kansas City to acquire another former Cy Young winner, Zack Greinke.)
Turned out that ‘player to be named’ was Michael Brantley – even if the Indians weren’t happy with it.
They have to be happy now.
Gamel, 25, and Green, 24, are both in AAA Nashville. Both appear to be blocked at the corner infield positions in Milwaukee because of Prince Fielder and Casey McGehee. The Tribe appears to be set at third base with Lonnie Chisenhall waiting in the wings – a better option than Gamel or Green.
Meanwhile Brantley, who will turn 24 in a few weeks, has been an important contributor to the Tribe this season. Since the All-Star game last July, a span that covers 74 games, Brantley is hitting .289 (86/298) and is 13 for 15 in stolen base attempts. He’s worked for 29 walks while striking out 35 times – although he has more walks (11) than strikeouts (9) so far in 2011. His 42 runs in that 74-game span project out to 85 runs over a 150-game span, and that’s not from the leadoff spot.
That’s where he should be. I think he’s capable of being a 100-run guy from the top spot in Manny Acta’s lineup.
The jury is still out on LaPorta, although even the most loyal Tribe fan would express their concern over his lack of production. Brantley, however, has given fans a reason to be excited. I firmly believe he should be put at the top of the lineup, a move that would allow Grady Sizemore to slide down in the order.
When you trade a Cy Young winner – you ought to get something pretty darn good in return. The Indians got a leadoff man (which still isn’t enough for a Cy Young winner, obviously) who will cover center field in Cleveland for the next decade. As things currently stand, it looks like the 'player to be named' will be the centerpiece of the CC Sabathia trade.
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