Alomar to the Mets...the fire sale continues

[Mr. October]

For Matt Lawton and John Riggan? This puts the stake through the heart of Juan coming back. Why would he? His best friend is no longer on the team, the Tribe would surely try to cheap him out in any contract deal, and it's obvious their sights are set on some distant point in the future. Way beyond the horizon. Sure they freed up some money but it's not for Juan. What the hell, they never won a series beating people's brains in maybe they'll do it with young, inexperienced pitching and average hitting.

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[Alex]

Uh, Robbie was only making 8 million, but his offensive and defensive production was equal to a 12 million dollar player.

I hope this isn't about behind the scenes payback for Dolan.

Perhaps some kickback in New York Business.

Dumb Move...all we needed was Juan back.

Sad to say, getting Lawton was a great move, but not for Robbie.

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Alex

[Alex]

Matt Lawton makes 6 million this year, and then is eligible for arbitration...

Robbie makes 8 million, but we still had this year, and next year as an option.

Robbie was a great deal. Was he really causing problems in the locker room for this deal to be made?

...it certainly wasn't for the money savings.

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Alex

[Mr. October]

It gets a lot worse. Just read that the PTBNL are Peoples and Bacsik. This is a horrible trade. Regardless of personalities, clubhouse atmosphere etc. it's just not value for value. Lawton and Escobar? A maybe and a prospect for a 12 time All Star and the minor league pitcher of the year? Wasn't Peoples considered a rising star in the organization? This is just awful. Is Ted Stepian consulting for the Tribe now? Quick somebody put some pillows in the basement of the AL Central Division. Maybe that will help break the fall.

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[Alex]

I think Lawton may be the big surprise in this trade.

However, even if he puts up Robbie like numbers...he is elegible for arbitration after this season...that is what bothers me most about this trade...that and the fact that we don't have a second basemen that I know of.

Lawton is making 6 million, Robbie was an absolute steal at 8 million...heck, we should have forced them to take Cordero...than it would almost have been worth it.

Until all the players are analyzed...we don't know how bad or even the deal is.

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Alex

[Mr. October]

I guess that's the difference between you and me Alex. This deal sucks and I know it today. It may take you until August to figure it out. There is no justification for this deal. It is an absolute slap in the face to the fans of Cleveland who have ponied up the dough to support this team. There is no one on the Mets that could give us equal value for Robbie. There aren't 2 guys on the Mets worth one Alomar. That's what pisses me off. Why not just push him in front of a train. Either way you end up with nothing.

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[Alex]

Lawton may be Robbie's Equal...I know that sounds hokey, but Lawton is a young Kenny Lofton...with a bit more power.

I hate the trade...but that doesn't mean I can't hope it won't hurt.

I'm curious about all the players involved...

Bacsik wasn't given much of a chance with us...I'm surprised we let him go.

Escobar may indeed have Ricky Ledee written all over him...he is the one player I hope we ship off somewhere else.

Gosh darn it, why couldn't Cordero have been part of the trade.

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Alex

[brianp]

Here is the trade broken down:
Robbie, Bascik, Peoples for Lawton, Escobar, Riggen, Traber, and PTBNL. Lawton for Alomar isn't that bad. Lawton is scheduled to make $5 mil, not $6, next season. Plus, Shapiro has said that they are close to an extension with Lawton, meaning he will not have to go to arbitration. Escobar was the #1 prospect for the Mets. Riggen was the Mets' Dannys Baez. A rookie starter who pitched out of the pen last season and was lights out after replacing their former set-up man, Turk Wendell. Sounds exactly like Baez' situation with the Tribe, doesn't it? Riggen was the #3 prospect of the Mets. Traber was the Mets #1 pick in 2000, and was already rated the #2 prospect of the Mets. He is a lefthanded starter. So, the Indians get Lawton, a poor man's Alomar, the Mets top 3 prospects, plus a player to be named later for Alomar, a finesse lefty (Bascik), and an old, fading prospect (Peoples). I don't think that this trade is that bad. Plus, Shapiro already admitted that they are not done, so just wait and see what is next.

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[Alex]

Lawton is a poor man's Alomar...an excellent description.

What is bothersome is we had the best production out of second base imagineable..so we have transferred a traditionally weaker position offensively (2nd base) where we were strong, to the typically stronger position, centerfield.

But, ultimately, if Lawton puts up numbers similar to Robbie this upcoming year, the deal won't be as horrendous as people think.

Although just getting Juan back would have been my preference.

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Alex

[This message has been edited by Alex (edited December 11, 2001).]

[Swanny]

I wonder who is next??? I'm willing to bet Omar. I honestly can't believe what is happening to this team. This is not rebuilding or retooling, it is plain and simple dismantling. I've been accused of being so negative. Tell me, since the season ended what the hell is there to be positive about? Alomar was a bargain at his salary so I can't figure this one out.

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