Franky G, Frankly Gone

Ken Rosenthal and Anthony Castrovince are reporting that the Mets, Mariners, and Indians have consummated a 12 player deal...

The Mets are working to acquire a setup man for new closer Francisco Rodriguez — and that setup man would be another closer from the American League West.
J.J. Putz could be headed to the Mets in a three-team trade with the Mariners and Indians, according to major-league sources.
Under terms of the deal, the Mets would get Putz, outfielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green from Seattle. The Mariners would receive reliever Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez and first baseman Mike Carp from the Mets. They'd also get Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians and minor leaguers. The Indians would get reliever Joe Smith from the Mets and infielder Luis Valbuena from Seattle.
From the Mets' perspective, the deal would be Heilman and Smith for Putz. Chavez and Reed would be an exchange of backup outfielders, Smith and Green an exchange of right-handed groundball specialists.

Joe Smith player profile here

Luis Valbuena player profile here

Although I believe Franklin Gutierrez is probably one of the best defensive outfielders I have ever seen play for the Tribe, this trade seems to be pretty solid. Gutierrez was a man without a role on this team, but don't count out Franky G from possibly making an impact someday soon. Most fans may easily forget how great he played in the second half of 2007, eventually showing his struggles in the ALCS (sans a homerun at Fenway in Game 2). Tribe Times will miss Frank and wish him all the best!

Joe Smith pitched in an astounding 82 games last year and posted a solid 3.55 era. Seems odd that the Mets would deal such a solid reliever, but now adding Putz as a setup man for K-Rod seems like quite an eighth and ninth inning tandem. Even better news is that now two dominate AL closers have jumped ship to the National League, while the Indians are close to nabbing a stud of their own in Kerry Wood. Pairing Smith with Wood, along with Lewis, Perez, Betancourt, Kobayashi, and possibly Adam Miller immediately makes the 2009 bullpen extremely deep and miles ahead of last years gas can of a relief corps.

I honestly had never heard of Luis Valbuena before this past hour, but he seems pretty similar to a certain Venezuelan middle infielder Cleveland acquired from the Mariners a few years back (Asdrubal Cabrera). Some talk out of Seattle suggested that he would be in the mix as the Mariners starting second baseman in 2009, so I imagine he will me in the mix here as well. To net a solid bullpen arm and a marginal prospect for essentially a fourth outfielder seems to be another solid move by Shapiro, Antonetti and the gang. More moves to come I imagine as the Rule 5 draft kicks of Thursday. Hooray for Activity!

Castrovince Update:

UPDATE No. 2 (11:50 p.m. ET): Holy Lord, this thing just keeps growing. It's actually a 12-player swap, and it does involve other Minor Leaguers. Nobody from the Indians, though.
In addition to the players previously mentioned, the M's are getting right-hander Maikel Cleto, left-hander Jason Vargas and outfielder Ezekiel Carrera from the Mets.
Wow.

Winter Wonderings with Wedge

As the visions of Wood dance through the heads of Tribe fans everywhere, my thoughts have immediately move towards the infield. After viewing STO's Matt Underwood interview Eric Wedge about everything Indians, some items up for debate have become clearer.

• Basically said if no infield moves were made, Peralta would remain at Shortstop which can't be good for Barfield.
  


• When asked about Shoppach/Martinez/Garko First Base/Catcher situation, Wedge said that Shoppach's role would increase behind the dish, but the league will adjust to him at bat. He stated that he won't commit to anything at the moment, leading me to believe that they are shopping him hardcore (with 3 catchers on the 40man) for a middle infielder.

• The team is looking at probably after January 1 for a starting pitcher but Shapiro and Antonetti have been kicking the tires on every possibility.

• Tribe is exploring everything at closer (trade/free agent) so it seems they are coming up with a back up plan if the Kerry Wood deal falls through.

The skipper seems pretty optimistic about the Indians addressing the needs of the team. I am relieved to know that Wedge doesn't see a Cabrera/Barfield double play combination in 2009. The next 48 hours may paint a more clearer picture of what team will be taking the field come opening day

Would Wood Work in Cleveland?

Indians.com is reporting that the Tribe is close to signing Free Agent closer Kerry Wood to a two year deal with an option for a third. Now I would prefer the Indians to utilize the little cash they have on an infielder, the signing of Wood solidifies the bullpen, a major problem in 2008. With this signing, you can probably pencil in either Josh Barfield or Jamey Carroll in at second base this year, which is not good for the offense at all. As for another starting pitcher, there is word that Shapiro may be interested in Kris Benson on a minor league deal. As long his contract is not guaranteed the move would be fine with me, plus his wife is crazy hot, well more crazy than hot. Hopefully we wouldn't have a repeat of this guy with his significant other.

Sayonara Tom Mastny

The Tribe's 40 man roster is now down to 38 as reliever Tom Mastny was sent packing off to the far east. The Yokohama Baystars purchased the contract of the Cleveland reliever who spent parts of the prior three years with the club. Tom terrific posted a 10.80 era in 14 games and one memorable June start in Texas. His two claims to fame as an Indian were taking over the closer's role after Bob Wickman was traded away in 2006 and pitching well in the ALCS against Boston, hurling 4 2/3 scoreless innings in 3 outings. Here's to you Tom, good luck and make sure to buzz a fastball in on the chin of Tuffy Rhodes.

Tribe interested in Rafael Furcal?

As astutely speculated over at the DiaTribe Sunday, SI.com is reporting that the Indians have an interest in LA Dodger shortstop Rafael Furcal. This is just the kind of signing the Tribe has lacked and would get the fan base charged up. If they have to go with less of a closer, fine. A journeyman starter? Good by me. This team is in need of a jolt and adding Furcal, although injury prone, would be a giant step in the right direction. With the way the hot stove has burned cool for the past 3 years, Tribe fans would surely welcome the front office attempting to make a splash for once. Don't bet on this happening, but we can dream.