Joba Chamberlain declines minor league assignment and is now a free agent.

And Martinez signed with Red Sox.

If Brantley comes back and can play up to usual self we would be in great shape. Super sub Ramirez could spell some of those infielders who must be tired and stop mangling LF a little.

A few negatives that we knew before but know slightly better now:

Santana cannot play first place. Try Ramirez out there, he'll need somewhere else to play when Brantley returns.
House is not a matchup lefty. I believe he let every inherited runner score.
With that said, the second half of the bullpen is not looking good in general; Adams is no good either.
Gomes has at present absolutely no idea how to hit. 166 average is ridiculous. Roberto Perez is getting close to return; I wonder if Gomes has any options left so he could go to Columbus, relax and re-learn how to hit. Perez is another excellent defender.
Almonte was not worth waiting for.

Colon looked good with speed and movement, he might be able to become the 7th inning pitcher setting up Shaw and Cody.
If he can stay out of the medicine cabinet.
Agree on House. he looked awful.

Brantley 1-2 with a walk in his rehab appearance for Mahoning Valley tonight. He played the field too, not DH.

He's off today and goes to Lake County on Wednesday. He's taking a tour of all our Ohio minor league towns. Brought out a couple thousand walk ups to the Scrappers game yesterday.

expecting some more bullpen movement before they return to action on Friday. House has proven his uselessness as a match up lefty. Do they want to give Crockett another shot?

About a month ago I looked up House's career splits against lefties and I posted how disappointing it was. Don't know why they expected any better against major leaguers.

Merritt actually has pretty good splits against lefties. Much better than both Crockett and House this year. Not sure why they aren't giving him a shot.

Hillbilly- I agree but I think he was injured or on the DL.

He was on 7 day DL, Lou, but back now. Got smacked around by Toledo last time out.

He's actually been smacked around a bit last month or so after a dominating start. (Maybe due to ailment) But would still like to see how he'd handle a match up lefty set up role.

Michael Brantley - OF - Indians

Michael Brantley went 2-for-3 with a double during Wednesday's rehab game with Low-A Mohoning Valley.

Brantley is on the mend from offseason shoulder surgery. He appeared in 11 games earlier this season before the balky wing sent him back to the disabled list.

The 29-year-old outfielder will likely be ready to return to action in late July or early August.

He was actually in Low A Lake County. Video of his double. Swing looks smooth.

https://twitter.com/MikeMelaragno22/sta ... 7596800000

Roberty Perez made his return there too. He was 0-2 with a walk. He hit a hard liner right to SS tho.

Son of a hitting instructor, that swing always looks picture perfect.

They've described Merritt as not a lefty matchup candidate in the past. But they used to call House a starter, too.
I think I'd prefer Andrew Miller. Not just would the Yankees demand a huge price, I'd imagine they'd be more likely to deal one of the 2 righties rather than the one lefty closer they have in their stockpile.
More likely acquisition will be some cheap veteran along the lines of Rpczynski. In fact, how's he doing this year?

Answer is, kind of as usual: ERA 3.45. Too many walks [17 in 29 innings] only one homer allowed. His splits are much better vs RH than LH, so he's not the answer either.