"All Stars at Every Position"

[Alex]

"All Stars at Every Position" was the battle cry during the mid and late 90's. Well, it appears as we approach the beginning of the 2004 season, we now have an All Star at every position, the difference is they are Minor League All Stars playing at every position.

I can live with that.

And if most blossom into major league all-stars, sure, give them a long term HOMETOWN discount contract offer or trade them.

[The RotoTribe]

I agree that having minor league all stars is better than having minor league journeymen.

But the Tribe of the sixties and seventies had lots of minor league all stars.

While they had great players like Sam McDowell and Luis Tiant, they had plenty of almost good guys.

Steve Hargan; Joe Lis; Chico Salmon; Mike DeLaHoz; Al Luplow; Walter Bond; Dick Stigman; Don Dillard. All these guys were great minor leaguers. But they didn't quite make it great in the majors.

That's what I'm afraid most of these minor league all stars are going to end up. I don't see a Manny Ramirez or a Jim Thome or an Albert Belle in there.

[Alex]

Originally posted by The RotoTribe:
I agree that having minor league all stars is better than having minor league journeymen.

<font size="3" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What about journeyman major leaguers versus minor league all stars who have shown some potential in the majors.

Bradley, Gerut, Crisp all made a positive impact last season.

Hafner improved as the season progressed, so did Bard. Ludwick was clutch on several occassions.

Alex Escobar had 6 hits off of 6 different pitchers over a two game span...a very impressive and very rare feat when you think about it.

Broussard had a 10 game hitting streak and then stumbled the final three weeks of the season otherwise I'd call him a success story. He plays smartball and knows when he can take a base.

I'd rather see these guys for the first half of the season than sign a journeyman fill in to play second or third, even if it means putting Vic at third base and Blake or Crisp at second.

[The RotoTribe]

I actually agree with you about playing Blake at second and Martinez at third. I think this would be a great idea. Unfortunately, the Tribe brass cannot think outside the box. So, they will sign Belliard (a decent second baseman, but not great) and continue to play Blake as their stopgap thirdbaseman (a weak choice at third, but not at second).
In my opinion, playing Martinez at third, starting Bard at catcher and moving Blake to second makes better use of their hitting talent (maybe not the fielding talent, but the hitting would be better).
Eventually, I think the Tribe could challenge in the Central with that kind of lineup.

What about Gutierrez, though? What if he can come back?

[Alex]

I don't have an answer about Ricky. He could be a useful pinch-hitter, but who can afford to carry a pinch hitter when the team continues to carry 12 pitchers instead of 11?

[Alex]

Originally posted by The RotoTribe:
I actually agree with you about playing Blake at second and Martinez at third. I think this would be a great idea. Unfortunately, the Tribe brass cannot think outside the box.

In my opinion, playing Martinez at third, starting Bard at catcher and moving Blake to second makes better use of their hitting talent (maybe not the fielding talent, but the hitting would be better).
Eventually, I think the Tribe could challenge in the Central with that kind of lineup.

<font size="3" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't get why Crank thinks the above is a dumb idea when in fact it's a RISKY idea. Now is the time to risk. There is no risk in signing a journeyman free agent.

Our fielding may not drop that much because Bard is still a better catcher than Martinez. Blake's defense dropped off at the end of year, and I believe his throws from third aren't all that great anyway.

The secret ingredient this upcoming year is to see who flourishes offensively. Then their trade value goes up and maybe we are able to move Lawton, which then frees up ANOTHER batting position.

Cleveland fans should riot if Dolan and Shapiro sign a journeyman infielder.

[The Crank]

Alex you don't get why I think playing Martinez at third and Blake at second is a dumb idea? Do you need to go to the same remedial reading course that I am sending Dizzy Dean S to?

Ok - slowly.....

MARTINEZ HAS NEVER PLAYED THIRD. NOT IN THE MINORS. NOT EVEN IN WINTER BALL.

BLAKE HASN'T PLAYED SECOND FOR YEARS.

And if we have two players learning a new position in the major leagues then we are in deep trouble.

There - is there anything about that that you do not understand?

[Alex]

"And if we have two players learning a new position in the major leagues then we are in deep trouble."
-Crank

Can either be any worse than Corey Smith? An intense month or two of training can go a long way towards making someone competent at a new position.

Both of these players are young, athletic enough, and would be grateful for an everyday job.

[The Crank]

Corey Smith is 21-22 years old, is extremely young for being in AA baseball and actually is ahead of schedule.

He also improved greatly, both offensively and defensively, in the second half of last year and again in the second half of the AFL season.

He may still not be the long term solution at third, but he makes a hellova lot more sense then moving a catcher there.

[Alex]

huh?

A converted shortstop to catcher is normal, but converting a catcher to third base is not?

You'd rather put Corey Smith at third than Vic?

Sheesh.

Enjoy Belliard at second.