Report: Player to be Named Later for Kelly Shoppach is Either Mitch Talbot or Joseph Cruz

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 15, 2009 2:38 PM EST

This from MLB.com:

Any speculation on who we're going to get for Kelly Shoppach?
-- Kevin K., Independence, Ohio

Though the Indians won't confirm who they have to choose from on or before the Dec. 20 deadline, I'm hearing it will be one of two right-handed pitchers -- Mitch Talbot or Joseph Cruz

This comes down to whether the Indians want immediate help in the form of Talbot or higher upside with a higher chance of burn out in Cruz. I'm a big fan of Talbot and he's out of options. I'd hate to lose him, but I think it's a matter of when rather than if. Talbot has roughly three seasons of Triple-A under his belt now, and during his time with Durham he's posted FIP of 4.0, 3.03, and 3.55. He is right-handed and his fastball sits in the low-90s, but his change-up is reportedly an above average pitch. He throws strikes and he'll be cheap for a number of years to come.

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At this point, I rather keep Cruz and let Talbot go.

We have enough immediate depth and Cruz is coming off a nice season at age 21. He’s always showed + control which I really like, and gets over a K per 9. He also gets GB% at like 50% clip. Hopefully the Indians opt for the help now with Talbot.

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by Tommy Rancel on Dec 15, 2009 2:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions

He's also in the low minors.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 15, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Any thought behind the idea that they know there's a good chance that we have make a Hammel-type desperation move

with Talbot so he may be available later on anyway?

I'm a writer.

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Dec 15, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

Either way, Shoppach is a win

As for which I’d part with? Given our relief depth at Durham, I’d keep Cruz. Shoppach-Talbot is a win fot both sides who were up against a rock and a hard place.

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by FreeZorilla on Dec 15, 2009 2:56 PM EST reply actions

At least Talbot would get his shot.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 15, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

Again, i point to Shapiro's comment the PTBNL has a chance to make the 25 man

Does Cruz?

by sternfan1 on Dec 15, 2009 3:21 PM EST reply actions

No.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 15, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

Talbot would slot into their rotation

by Erik Hahmann on Dec 15, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

The only problem

with Talbot and his option status for the Indians is that they have a big back-log of young pitchers that are major league ready to sort through too. Options for the 2010 rotation include:

Westbrook
Carmona
Huff
Laffey
Sowers (also out of options)
Carrasco
Masterson
Rondon
Lewis

I think they’d be better off gambling with and waiting for Cruz.

by MickS on Dec 15, 2009 3:46 PM EST reply actions

Rondon and Carrasco aren't MLB ready

Wetbrook a big if and who knows if Carmona will ever come back

Masterson is probably best suited for relief and Lewis is best suited for another career

Sowers is a #6 on a five man rotation

Take Talbot

by sternfan1 on Dec 15, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

If this is the choice, Cruz should be a no-brainer

Although I’d rather they take Talbot. Maybe right now Talbot helps them get another win or two, but who cares if they’re a 70-win team or a 72-win team. I’d rather have the guy who has a chance to help more down the road at a point where the team is contending.

Then again, I’ve never thought as highly of Talbot as some here.

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"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Dec 15, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting you see Talbot ready and Carrasco not

Carrasco already has more Majors IP than Talbot – albeit neither has many. And Carrasco has always been viewed as more of a prospect – except perhaps in Tampa. Do agree Rondon’s likely not there yet,but coming on strong.

Do think Talbot would stick on the 25 man there, but good chance it’s just as he would in Tampa, as the long man. Kinda between him and Sowers due to lack of options. This may the decider, if they want to keep Sowers, that makes it Cruz not Talbot.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Dec 15, 2009 7:50 PM EST up reply actions

Why do you kill threads????

by 4QB on Dec 16, 2009 11:26 AM EST reply actions

Of those free agents, Carl Crawford is the most attractive to me.

And I do mean that in a sexual way.

by staplemaniac on Dec 16, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions

Good thing that the free agent 1B class is strong again next year

Considering that’s the biggest hole we’ll need to fill, maybe we can get someone good for below what market would be in a year without so many free agent 1Bs.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Dec 16, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions