Trading Time: Aubrey to Orioles, Veras to Indians

Two minor trades were made today by the Tribe, as they shipped 27 year old first baseman Michael Aubrey to the Baltimore Orioles and received reliever Jose Veras from the New York Yankees for cash. Aubrey was a former 1st round pick by the Indians, but just never could stay healthy. He also was caught up in a numbers game as there are a plethora of 1st Baseman/Outfielders currently in the Indians' upper minors. Michael was hitting .292 with 16 doubles, a triple, five homers and 29 RBIs in 57 games for the Clippers. This transaction removes one more hurdle for Columbus Clipper Jordan Brown to finally make it to the big leagues in Cleveland, a promotion he has earned and deserves. Aubrey will best be known in Indians lore as the first baseman who just let Gary Sheffield charge the mound from first base without tackling him or intervening. Fausto still smoke Sheff in the face, but you gotta do something Mike, not just stand there like you usually do (see below).

Veras (pictured right) pitched pretty poorly for the Yankees in 2009. In 25 appearances out of the New York 'pen this season, the 28-year-old Veras was 3-1 with a 5.96 ERA. He walked 14 and struck out 18 in 25 2/3 innings of work. He pitched a lot better in 2008, going 5-3 posting a 3.59 ERA in 57 + innings while striking out 63 and only walking 29 in 60 appearances. The Yankess designated him for assignment, so he would have had to clear waivers to stay in New York's organization. It will be interesting to see who is jettisoned off of the 25 man roster because Veras is expected to join the big league club sometime this week. He can't be any worse than what is currently out there. Can he?

Sowers to the Minors, LaPorta & Brantley Re-Assigned

It seems to be a two man race for the final spot in the rotation, as lefty Jeremy Sowers was optioned to Triple A Columbus. The Vanderbilt grad pitched ok, posting a 4.91 ERA in 14 2/3 innings of work. Sowers will most definitely resurface sometime in 2009. The last remaining spot is down to Scott Lewis and Aaron Laffey. Shapiro had glowing things to say about Lewis yesterday, so don't be surprised to see Scotty in the 5th spot in the rotation to start the season. Laffey has been pitching better of late, and will be the first starter called upon from the minors should an injury happen or to replace the likely implosion of Carl Pavano.
Here is the list of moves...
per The Plain Dealer

Left-hander Jeremy Sowers and catcher Wyatt Toregas were sent to Class AAA Columbus. Right-hander Greg Aquino, infielder Michael Aubrey, right-hander Kirk Saarloos and outfielders Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley were re-assigned to minor league camp.
There are currently 37 players in big-league camp.

As for the Sabathia tandem (Brantley & LaPorta), both impressed while playing with the big league club. These two will be ever compared to one another as they were both key cogs in the CC Sabathia trade last season.

Michael Brantley was able to show his versatility in the outfield, playing all three spots quite well. His numbers (.313 BA, 4 SB) were solid, and he seemed to already possess a big league demeanor passed down from his father, former big leaguer Mickey Brantley. Still only 21, Brantley will go down to Columbus and work on his game even more to become possibly the Tribe's future leadoff hitter.

Matt LaPorta played great this spring as well (.361 BA, 6 doubles, 1.050 OPS), living up to his top prospect billing. LaPorta still needs to work on his fielding, but this former Gator seems only months, not years, away from helping the Indians.

The other four players (Toregas, Aquino, Aubrey, Saarloos) will compete for spots down in Columbus. It is interesting that no teams have really showed any interest in Aubrey, as he is batting .455 this spring. Although he doesn't have much pop in his bat, Aubrey could be a useful player on a major league team that desires a gloveman at first with little power but a solid average (a la Doug Mientkiewicz/Sean Casey/Mark Grace).

The roster is now down to 37. The late innings of these games will be rough to watch as many of the current players on the bench are career journeyman (Cannizaro, Graffanino, Valdez). Thankfully, only less than 2 weeks remain until opening day!

Mastny up, Aubrey down.

Tom Mastny has been recalled by the Cleveland Indians, and First Baseman Michael Aubrey has been sent to Buffalo. I understand sending Aubrey down because he has struggled for a week (along with the rest of the team), but bringing up a pitcher? I guess it really does not matter, but carrying 12 pitchers on a team who can't hit is kind of ridiculous. Another blockbuter move by the Wahoos.

Gunned Down in the Queen City

Just when you think your team is on a roll, disaster strikes. Sunday was a crappy day in Cleveland sports as the Cleveland LeBrons were beaten in seven games by the geriatric celtics. Looks like two years left of professional basketball in Cleveland!

Getting back to baseball, we have all heard that the season is a marathon and not a sprint. Well interleague play became an annoying bunion on the big toe of the Indians as they were miserably swept by the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend. The hitting continued to suck dramatically, and our bullpen savior decided to recreate Bob Wickman's Great American Ballpark meltdown of 2006. How is it that Adam Dunn can be a slow, underachieving, below average fielder most of the season and then see Cleveland across the jerseys of the opposing team and immediately become Ken Griffey Jr in his prime? (Not the Griffey now, he looks about done). Watching Dusty Baker chew on his toothpick and readjust his wristbands in the dugout made me want swallow my remote. The Reds are playing well now, but I am sure that reality will strike them by the all star break as it usually does. Their old man general manager will hang on to Griffey and Dunn too long because the organization feels that they can compete this year. The two will leave for free agency, bringing no prospects in return. Also, what team starts Jerry Hairston and Corey Patterson? Those guys make Dellucci and Blake look like cornerstones to any franchise.

The Reds did uncover the flaws that have been plaguing the Tribe for most of the season. Through the first two games, the team went 0-15 with runners in scoring position. Some of that was due to pitchers batting, but most of it was due to the ineptitude of the lineup as a whole. I understand that Wedge is pretty much clueless as to who to bat where in the order (understandably so) but batting Dellucci 3rd is down right ridiculous. He has had some clutch hits with runners on this year but that is way too high of a spot for pretty much a journeyman fourth outfielder. It killed them in the first inning Sunday as he was up with two on and no out and flailed away at a high fastball. Might as well let Francisco hit 3rd as he right now is swinging the best bat. I would prefer just sticking Hafner back there Tuesday and letting things sort themselves out.

Also the savior to the bullpen, Masa Kobayashi became ordinary again. I like his demeanor on the mound but if he ever were to become the closer, these sort of blown saves may occur due to his stuff not being overpowering. His fastball to Dunn was right in his kitchen. The media has reported JoeBo will probably be back in a week and they seem to believe this will settle things down. Most fans will believe what I do, that the 9th will not be safe unless a legitimate closer is brought in. I was all for Raffy, but he wilted under the pressure of the 9th. Kobayashi would provides a decent option, but he is suspect to the gopher ball. As for JoeBo, get out the heart medication because he is excruciating to watch.

Here were some of the Highlights:

Michael Aubrey: First Major League hit was a Home Run: This one week honeymoon by Aubrey will be interesting to watch. His call up may show how committed they are to Garko for the long run. He now has 1 more than our cleanup hitter.

Ben Francisco: 5-11, first HR of the season: I think his teammates should take some notes on his hitting style. Don't over think, see the ball, hit the ball. Has played himself into the everyday lineup.

Fausto Carmona: 7 1/3 IP, 4 hits, 0 walks, 4 K's, 1 earned run: Continues to deal, was robbed of a victory by the bullpen and the offense. No walks is an excellent sign.

Jorge Julio: 1/3 IP, 0 earned runs. Got to pitch, probably a big deal for the Julio family.

Areas of Concern:

Ryan Garko: Got thrown out Sunday at second base after hitting the ball off of the wall. Decided to watch his stroke instead of getting out of the box and hustling down the line. Wouldn't be surprised to see him in a platoon with Aubrey over the next week as Wedge usually does not tolerate lazy play. Also I am gettin tired of his front knee hitting the dirt when he swings at a low pitch. Probably not the best form.

Masa Kobayashi: 1/3 inning, 3 run bomb to Adam Dunn in the 9th, blown save: Crushed the hopes and dreams of every Tribe fan hoping we finally found a closer.

Asdrubal Cabrera: 0-10. Even though his glove has been superb, may need to be sent down to regain confidence in his bat. He is only 22 but he is pulling the ball and hitting way too many fly balls.

David Dellucci: 1-9. Rough weekend for DD, Wedge is asking too much of him by batting him 3rd. Needs to be dropped down immediately.

The Indians get a much needed day off Monday before they face the Chicago White Sox for a three game series in Chi Town. 52 year old Jose Contreras battles CC Sabathia Tuesday.

Aubrey Called up, Sowers sent back to Buffalo

First Baseman Michael Aubrey has been called up by the Tribe, as Jeremy Sowers has been sent back down. Aubrey is in the last year of options so they will get to see him pinch hit and play some first base over the next week until Joe Borowski (gulp!) is ready. He has been raking at Akron and Buffalo, so hopefully he will be a helpful left handed bat off of the bench. Sowers pitched OK yesterday, going 5 innings while giving up 3 runs. He is the teams 7th starter, and probably won't see much more action unless injuries or rainouts happen.