Indians pick up pitchers' options

by lenred on Nov 6, 2007 1:05 PM EST

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/11/06/bc.bba.indians.byrd.ap/index.html

They picked up the $7.5 mm option on Paul Byrd, $4 mm on Joe Borowski and $1.5 mm on Aaron Fultz.

Despite all the hogwash around Byrd's HGH order, he had a heck of a year and is probably the best #5 starter in the majors. JoBo is another heart attack waiting to happen, but us Clevelanders are used to that (from Wickman). Fultz gets traded because lefty specialists for $1.5 mm are always in need.

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I think your assessment is spot on

but I am not sure Byrd will be there opening day either. The tribe has a lot of pitching depth and Byrd might join Lee and Fultz as trade candidates. It isn't too farfetched that the Indians could fill out their rotation, including a sixth man, with Sowers, Laffey and Miller.

by sdtribefan on Nov 6, 2007 9:51 PM EST reply actions

I think Byrd stays...

...unless Shapiro gets the impression that there is a lot more to the HGH scandal than there appears to be so far. Obviously, barring injury, the top of the rotation is set with Sabathia, Carmona, and Westbrook. I think Byrd is too valuable as a #4 not to get that slot for them for at least one more year while management sees who among the young talent will rise to the occasion. It seems likely that Sowers/Laffey/Miller get the last slot in the rotation. If more than one seems to be flourishing and everyone remains healthy, I could see Byrd being the odd man out at some point, but I doubt that happens before the start of next season.

I do wish Betancourt would take over as the closer though. I think he earned it last year. Borowski can get guys out, but he's too inconsistent at the end of the game for my taste.

by knightgalt on Nov 7, 2007 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

I hate to sound cynical but.....

scandals, particularly about HGH, are meant for the big market guys like Bonds, Giambi and Canseco. It wasn't even illegal under the bargaining agreement when he took it. Besides, his dentist prescribed it. And I agree with you that the Tribe is in no rush to make a decision about Byrd.

I notice you didn't comment on Lee. I do think the signing of Byrd makes Lee more of a trade target. I could be way off but I would not be too surprised to see this as a transition year to Betancourt. I don't know about you but I think Lewis will join the back end relief corp next year.

by sdtribefan on Nov 7, 2007 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Lee

I just don't see Lee pitching in a Tribe uniform again. His velocity seems to be down and he doesn't seem to have a good attitude about his situation. When he tipped his hat to the crowd while they booed him after a pathetic performance late this summer, that sealed it up for me. He deserved the booing by any reasonable measure. And I get being annoyed at the crowd for rubbing it in, but I thought it was classless. He seems to think that the Tribe had no good reason to send him to Buffalo despite the fact that he was horrible all year long (and not even that great at AAA). I hope they can get something of value for him in a trade, but I have my doubts. I think a DFA is more likely.

I hope you are right about Betancourt and agree that Lewis is going to be a fixture in the 7th and 8th innings this year. He seems like he could be a very solid late reliever for many years to come.

by knightgalt on Nov 7, 2007 3:36 PM EST reply actions

Byrd

should be there opening day.

I think Miller can't be counted on yet, and Sowers and Laffey are a bit questionable. Sowers I do like but it may take time to establish himself. And Laffey might be ok now but I'm not sure he lasts long.

Have the 2 of them battle for the 5th spot and let Miller come up when he forces their hand.

I'd rather be in a position of strength than count on some untested pitchers.

by pedrophile on Nov 7, 2007 8:09 PM EST reply actions

oh, and Lee is crap.

by pedrophile on Nov 7, 2007 8:09 PM EST up reply actions

Fortunately for the Indians, it seems ...

to be a crap market. Rumors are rampant about the Mets making an offer for Lee at the meetings. Minaya is certainly familiar with Lee's foibles so there may actually be some fire with the smoke.

by sdtribefan on Nov 8, 2007 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

well, to be honest

I really could see Lee having a good half season with the Mets.

I do love how he hides the ball. He is awesome at this. It makes the fastball look that much faster. And his location is excellent. But the fastball is so damn straight, and so much slower now, and his offspeed meh except the change I think.

If the Indians could get something decent for him great. Heck, just dumping the contract would be sweet.

by pedrophile on Nov 9, 2007 2:44 AM EST up reply actions

There must be something more

to the rumored trade than this but the names I heard were Heilman and Gomez. Seen Heilman and he might be a nice add. Know little of Gomez other than what I read here but he has had some problems with the bat, hasn't he? Seems like an odd choice to add to the Cleveland OF mix, especially with the 40 as tight as it is.

by sdtribefan on Nov 9, 2007 2:26 PM EST up reply actions