ESPN.com did an interesting story on Victor Martinez in Boston.
Of all the trades the Indians made, that's the one I get the least. The guys they acquired may be fine, but I just ask myself: Did the Indians really have to trade Martinez? Especially when he wanted to be in Cleveland?
As the story states: "Martinez said Indians general manager Mark Shapiro told him around 3 p.m. ET that he had been traded; when the Indians' game started that night, Martinez was still there, lingering, finally leaving around 7:30. It was hard for him to say goodbye, grasping reality that the next morning he would be on a plane to Baltimore, as a member of the Red Sox."
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I'd thank you for the link, but I think I'd rather go toss my cookies right now.
I know, its my fault as an "emotional fan that doesn't understand" and that by not spending whatever little money I had on baseball tickets to watch extended spring training at Progressive Field that played a part in these moves.
I know it wasn't a half-baked rotation and bullpen, an inconsistent line-up that continues to struggle offensively, or the lack of coaching and managing that led to the dismantling and rebuilding.
Oh give it a rest. Victor's best days were behind him. A part-time catcher who took someone else's position at 1B, and disrupted the entire team with the inane versatile moves. He also went into month-long slumps. And was slow. And couldn't throw anyone out. And Lee wouldn't pitch to him. And he didn't speak up as a leader. Need I go on?
Was this dude really such a "beloved icon" that Cleveland fans just can't get over it and move on the new generation of stars that's about to burst onto the scene?
"move on the new generation of stars that's about to burst onto the scene?"
good one mitch. i can't wait for what's his nuts to come out of class z ball to save the cleveland indians.
Boston was willing to give us prospects, even if not their best, and a major league ready pitcher, for a slumping 31 year old catcher.
I love Victor too, but man, hard to complain.
Quite frankly I can't believe they even gave up masterson for him, i mean, they were starting smoltz! Masterson would be a major imporvement on that mess
Shapiro has done some dumb stuff, but this wasn't dumb. I agree with Mitch … except for the part about the "new generation of stars." That's a phrase I've never heard before in relation to the Indians. Are you sure you didn't mean to write "Dancing With the Stars?"
With that being said, here is a true fact that I never realized until last night. While on personal unpaid (is there any other kind?) assignment for Pat (yes, I know Pat, I'll get you what you asked, but there were a number of sources and I'm backtracking to locate them all, I'll get them to you in time), I came across something absolutely astounding.
True fact: Not only was Indians attendance already beginning to tank, not only did Hart bleed the minors completely dry and leave the cupboard completely empty for the majors, but get this:
Hart dumped upon Shapiro the oldest average-age lineup of batters IN THE ENTIRE 110-YEAR HISTORY OF THE CLEVELAND BASEBALL FRANCHISE!!!
Essentially, Shapiro was forced on the fly to start from scratch. Not making excuses for some of his sillier mistakes, but that's a fact.
And yeah, Martinez still has a couple of good years left. But that's it. After that, it's on and off of the DL while playing DH. He could weep all he wanted, if Shapiro let that contract ride until the very end, his next contract wasn't going to be with the Indians, anyway. Who's Martinez really kidding other than himself?
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