Ha, nice. Thanks Codell, that makes me feel better. I knew we had Bucholz, Rosario, and Duckworth, but I wasn't really thinking about them. I was just preoccupied with the fact we lost Jeriome. Hopefully, it will work out for the best.
If Tavarez has been playing minor league ball since 1999 and hasn't gotten past A ball then I doubt he'd be good enough to make the big club let alone start in a year or two.
Sounds like a giveaway to fill a couple of minor's rosters. I wish...they had held onto JR until an injury hit another team or trade deadline for a 'lopsided' type deal. Oh, well.
It doesn't appear his value was very high, based on what he brought back. At the deadline someone will hotly desire a starter, a lefty starter. IF JR did anything for NO with his 15 Ws last season here he MIGHT have been 'an increased value'.
Teams usually overpay for proven starters at the trading deadline, not pitchers like Robertson, who is a fringe 5th starter. No team was going to give up anything decent based on anything he would have done at NO to start the season.
It's done, so it's moot. BTW - I think JR is better than a fringe 5th. A solid 5th, maybe a 4th...potential to be a #3. I wish him well at the Jake. I hope one or both our new guys finds his/their way to the Juice and October.
Good luck to Robertson. Personally hope he'll do well, but then there will probably a bunch of people complaining here about why we traded him away. I never thought he was going to get a chance in Houston, barring an incredible amount of injury troubles. Duckworth is the perfect 6th starter we can use if someone goes down, and we have other guys in AAA who can fill in on a temporary basis. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Buchholz could be called up this season if we become desperate for starters. Long term wise, we have pitching talent in lower minors that Robertson will not be able to beat out.
Good luck to Jeriome. He did what he was asked to do here. Hope that the couple of outfielders that we got back will pan out in the future. BTW, our starting rotation now clearly has the edge over the Cubbies. Prior will be out for at least a couple of month for them and their current fifth starter (some kid from AAA) is getting hit pretty hard in ST.
meh.. if I recall correctly ausmus in an interview talked very highly of bucholz and even said he could have potential to be ready by midseason for big leagues
I haven't paid close enough attention, but are any of you that are complaining of this trade also one that complained that this team didn't have enough speedsters on the basepaths? It would just seem funny to me that everyone sat and watched the Marlins win the WS, decided that the one thing this team needed is sprinters that make contact and have little power, and then get upset when we trade one of our lower rung starting pitchers (of which we have an abundance) for a player that may very well turn out to be that much desired demon on the basepaths.
it's a fine trade...we are very short on position players in the minors...but strong on starting pitching. dealing from a position of strength to address a weakness is a good idea. good luck to jeriome
It doesn't sound like Shapiro is orgasmically happy over the acquisition: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/8327397.htm Posted on Thu, Apr. 01, 2004 Tribe makes deal with Astros to increase depth of pitching Indians get left-hander Robertson in exchange for two minor-leaguers By Sheldon Ocker Beacon Journal staff writer KISSIMMEE, FLA. - Five is not enough. Teams seldom go through an entire season without altering the composition of their rotation, either because of poor performance or injury. It's been a recurring theme of general manager Mark Shapiro's to upgrade the Indians' pitching depth, that is, stockpile an extra starter or two with big-league capabilities at Class AAA Buffalo. Shapiro took a step toward that goal Wednesday by acquiring left-hander Jeriome Robertson, 27, from the Houston Astros for two minor-leaguers, outfielder Luke Scott and middle infielder Willy Taveras. ``One of my greatest concerns has been starting pitching depth,'' Shapiro said in explaining the deal. If something should happen to force a change in the rotation, Shapiro could call on only Jason Bere, still recovering from injury, or still-developing phenom Jeremy Guthrie from Triple-A. ``Robertson has exceptional intangibles,'' Shapiro said. ``He has three fringe to average major-league pitches, and he has tremendous determination and intelligence. He is not dissimilar to Jason Stanford.'' Shapiro still isn't sure how Robertson will be used in the short term. ``We've ruled out putting him in our rotation now,'' the GM said. ``We made a verbal commitment to our five starters, and we have to demonstrate loyalty to those guys.'' The other alternatives are putting Robertson in the bullpen, where he would have little experience, or assigning him to Buffalo, where he can start and await his opportunity. Last year, Robertson (15-9, 5.10 ERA) led all big-league rookies in wins and tied for the lead in rookie starts with 31. He doesn't throw hard (86-88 mph), but that isn't always the key to predicting the success of a left-hander. Moreover, Shapiro made it clear that Robertson is not a starter on the threshold of superstardom. ``I'm not asking you guys to stop the presses,'' the GM said. Scott, 25, is an outfielder with power potential. Last year, he batted .273 with seven homers and 37 RBI in 183 at-bats at Class AA Akron, following a promotion from Class A Kinston, where he batted .278 with 13 homers and 44 RBI in 241 at-bats. Taveras was taken by Houston from Cleveland in December's Rule 5 draft. He is the reason the Astros sought a deal. Houston did not want to keep him on the 25-man roster. He would have to be offered back to the Tribe if not for an agreement between the teams to waive that requirement.
That's awesome. I wonder how good a relief pitcher he can be. If he can come up into the pen ala Oswalt a few years back, we could have a pretty kick-ass bullpen.
you really think they'd test Hernandez arm with frequent, repeated outings like that? I hope not. I want him as a starter all the way. but hell, if he can even be a healthy contributing pitcher again, I'll be happy. as for Jerry-o-mee, I can't remember the last time I was so happy to hear of a player being gone from one of my teams. what a whiny b**** he turned into. it would be nice of him to have a little humility and recognize that Tim Redding was twice the pitcher he was last year. the best part by far is that the Indians don't even plan to have him in their rotation. "oh, what's that, Jeriome? you're pissed 'cause you can't crack what many think may be the best starting rotation in baseball? oh, okay, now come to a losing team with a below-average starting rotation and still find yourself in Triple-A." ha!
