Since it is so transparent that the Cleveland Indians are way , way, wayyyyy back in the standings, they will be a seller before the July 31st trading deadline. I am thinking that pitching is the one commodity that teams looking for help will be willing to overpay for.
Who should the Tribe trade? I hope it is not Cliff Lee...we need him to anchor the staff. If Jake Westbrook can gradually return later this year after arm surgery, thyey can make a decent 1/2 punch.
I say that the most attractive players are Carl Pavano (8 wins, 7 loses, 5.13 ERA). But he has 107 innings at the half way point as opposed to 145 innings the last three years combined. Decent strikeouts to walks ratio with 77/20.
Also, Kerry Wood is gone, if I am GM. Not a shut down closer, despite good fastball and power arm. In 30.2 innings, he has a 5.28 ERA and only 33 strike outs to 17 walks. Also, the opposition has gotten 27 hits off of him.So in 30.2 innings, there have been
17 walks + 27 hits = 44 base runners. He has given up 6 home runs and has blown 4 out of 16 save opportunities.
That is who I would trade and get the best pitching prospects I could, plus one legit power hitter from the AA level.
