Pudge, as a catcher, has become an enigma. He's the former number one rated catcher in the major leagues coming back from injuries, and many are grumbling that Pudge would rather have the best chance to throw out runners attempting to steal versus giving his pitcher the proper pitch selection.

The allegation that Pudge calls for too many fastballs when runners are on base so that he has a better chance to throw out a runner attempting to steal on him appears to have some statistical support.
The high ERA of the Texas Ranger Pitchers, and apparently pitchers that have come over from over teams to play for the Rangers, may bear this point out. If you compare the ERA of pitchers who are traded to
Texas, their ERA usually increases once they play for Texas. Many assume it's Pudge's pitch selection with runners on base that is at least partially to blame.

So, it might be a no brainer to offer Pudge a one year deal at 7.5 million dollars to play third base for the Indians. In a worst case scenario, if Pudge is a fiasco defensively, we can always make him DH and trade Ellis Burks.

if Pudge works out well at third, his own value will rise dramatically in the next off-season. We can even put a WILL TRADE option in his one year deal! If we are not contending for the playoffs, and Pudge's agent can find a contending team that want's to trade for Pudge, we will consider a trade if the offer is right.

I believe Pudge at third can replace much of what was lost by losing JIm Thome, and suddenly, this team could be MORE competitive offensively than last year. We improve at the catching position, third base, second base (better defense if it's Johnny Mac, better offense if it's Brandon Phillips), left & right field, Matt Lawton should be healthy, Karim Garcia will be here for a whole season.

All of those factors compensate for Jim Thome's loss. If Travis Haffner has an Ok year, 20-25 homers, .280, OBP of .360, the teams overall offensive output should improve by 50 to 75 runs! An offensive improvement at 4-5 positions, PLUS the offensive output of Travis Haffner, easily outdoes what we did this past season.

A 7.5 million dollar investment is such a small risk! If Pudge is signed by the tribe, and the signing is hyped properly, I believe pre-season ticket sales can increase almost that amount.

If Pudge does well, and the team flounders anyway, and Pudge's agent asks for a trade to a contender in the middle of the season, we STILL end up with more prospects, and we dump up to half of his salary! This scenario also allows for our own 3rd base prospects to develop for another half of a season before bringing them up to the majors.
I'd rather bring up the best performing minor leaague 3rd baseman based on the first half of next season in the minors, then choose one during spring training.

Pudge, being a former catcher, may be an excellent judge of how our young pitchers are doing. Pudge could be the Yoda for our young catchers and pitchers. If our young pitchers start falling into bad habits, or when they are tiring, Pudge will be there, on the field, to give his leadership when needed, or observations when necessary.

It seems silly to have these semi-annual, "lose big-time players such as Manny, Thome, & Belle," but then not sign a player for one year that can make an instant impact. The one time we did it(Juan Gonzalez), the results were spectacular!

How can Dolan have 65 million to spend on Jim Thome, but not have 7.5 million to spend on a Pudge Rodriguez? It would be a bold, exciting move from a front office that is constantly preaching mediocrity for the next two or three seasons.


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