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gov135 · 02-01-2004, 08:35 AM

My thoughts, Chauncey:

I am very familiar with both Karim Garcia and Shane Spencer, both having spent some time with the Indians in the past year or so.

Garcia: He seems to be being penciled in to start in right for the Mets. Garcia is an intriguing player.
Downside: Brian Cashman of the Yankees joked he got Garcia from the Indians for "about a dollar." The Indians decided that players like Ryan Ludwick had far more upside then Garcia, and Garcia began to lose playing time - leading to his departure. Believe me, Ryan Ludwick is no Mickey Mantle. Garcia isn't a patient hitter, and has trouble with offspeed pitches.
Upside: Garcia really hasn't been given a chance to play full-time, and he has shown flashes. He does hit for some power - think 20-25 HRs. And he has shown, with the Yankees and the Tribe, the ability to hit in clutch situations.

Shane Spencer: I felt kinda bad for Shane. He never really got the chance to play consistently in New York, then came to the Tribe, being promised to play in about 3/4 of the games. He never did get to play that much, due to the faster-than-expected emergence of some of the Indians young outfielders.
Downside: Spencer isn't a long term solution to anything. He won't hit very well, and brings little power.
Upside: Spencer IS a team player, and an above average outfielder. He is a smart player that fills out a winning roster. Unfortunately, he seems to be a known commodity.

Chauncey, let's be honest here... having Indians cast-offs on your team isn't exactly a prime scenario.

I probably know little about Todd Ziele that you couldn't tell me already, having probably followed his career in New York. Mike Cameron is a great center fielder, and brings a dimension of speed to the roster. Sometimes he just looks plain bad at the plate, though.

Finally, Chauncey, pitching, pitching, pitching. Glavine, Trachsel, and Seo won't win forty-five between them. A team's prospects in major league baseball depend so heavily on starting pitching - and I'm just not sure that those three can lead a staff to a ninety win season. Plus, who is getting a chance to close? Looper? Is Brandon Looper really that much of an upgrade over the guy Mets fans ran out of town (Benitez)? I don't think so myself.

Chauncey, I love Opening Day. It's the one day that you can make the case that just maybe, if a, b, and c happen, the Cleveland Indians will play in the World Series against the New York Mets.

02-01-2004, 08:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
gov135 Junkie Location: Midwest	My thoughts, Chauncey: I am very familiar with both Karim Garcia and Shane Spencer, both having spent some time with the Indians in the past year or so. Garcia: He seems to be being penciled in to start in right for the Mets. Garcia is an intriguing player. Downside: Brian Cashman of the Yankees joked he got Garcia from the Indians for "about a dollar." The Indians decided that players like Ryan Ludwick had far more upside then Garcia, and Garcia began to lose playing time - leading to his departure. Believe me, Ryan Ludwick is no Mickey Mantle. Garcia isn't a patient hitter, and has trouble with offspeed pitches. Upside: Garcia really hasn't been given a chance to play full-time, and he has shown flashes. He does hit for some power - think 20-25 HRs. And he has shown, with the Yankees and the Tribe, the ability to hit in clutch situations. Shane Spencer: I felt kinda bad for Shane. He never really got the chance to play consistently in New York, then came to the Tribe, being promised to play in about 3/4 of the games. He never did get to play that much, due to the faster-than-expected emergence of some of the Indians young outfielders. Downside: Spencer isn't a long term solution to anything. He won't hit very well, and brings little power. Upside: Spencer IS a team player, and an above average outfielder. He is a smart player that fills out a winning roster. Unfortunately, he seems to be a known commodity. Chauncey, let's be honest here... having Indians cast-offs on your team isn't exactly a prime scenario. I probably know little about Todd Ziele that you couldn't tell me already, having probably followed his career in New York. Mike Cameron is a great center fielder, and brings a dimension of speed to the roster. Sometimes he just looks plain bad at the plate, though. Finally, Chauncey, pitching, pitching, pitching. Glavine, Trachsel, and Seo won't win forty-five between them. A team's prospects in major league baseball depend so heavily on starting pitching - and I'm just not sure that those three can lead a staff to a ninety win season. Plus, who is getting a chance to close? Looper? Is Brandon Looper really that much of an upgrade over the guy Mets fans ran out of town (Benitez)? I don't think so myself. Chauncey, I love Opening Day. It's the one day that you can make the case that just maybe, if a, b, and c happen, the Cleveland Indians will play in the World Series against the New York Mets.