When the trade went down Bruce Drennan said he talked to Mike Sarbaugh, our 3rd basemen/infield coach. Sarbaugh said the Phillies talked to Santana in exit meeting about playing 3rd base next year. They have a young hot shot 1st base prospect coming up. They thought he could do it. Sarbaugh thinks so too.

I saw him there early in his career. He was moved for a reason... I have my doubts...

I'll accept that optimism! I like Carlos and accept this his batting average never really reflects his offensive contributions. And he is great team player

Hillbilly wrote:When the trade went down Bruce Drennan said he talked to Mike Sarbaugh, our 3rd basemen/infield coach. Sarbaugh said the Phillies talked to Santana in exit meeting about playing 3rd base next year. They have a young hot shot 1st base prospect coming up. They thought he could do it. Sarbaugh thinks so too.

I saw him there early in his career. He was moved for a reason... I have my doubts...

HB I think they are talking about Hoskins, who now will go to 1B after the exit of Santana. Young, stud hitter who was lost out in left field.

Brantley signs with Astros.

Great.

2 years, 32 mill.

He goes to a winner and will help them stay a winner.

Tribe will regret that move.

It surely is painful to lose a hitter of Brantley's quality!

I think in sense Houston got a good deal - $16 million per year is pretty hefty but for only 2 years..that part is a bargain.



By the way, the Astros are still said to be chasing Nelson Cruz to be their DH.

Hard to keep up with the superpowers.

Of course anything can still happen in a playoff, especially if we still have Bauer, Kluber, Carrasco at the top.

our lineup certainly will pale by comparison with Astros, RedSox, probably Yankees unless we do something unexpectedly bold. Like spend some money

Houston is now 4th most populated city in America. (as of 2014)

Cleveland is 48th.

Even Houston can outspend us now.

Maybe team ought to move to Columbus. They are 15th. Just behind San Fran and Indy.

https://www.infoplease.com/us/us-cities ... n-and-rank

https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2018/12/17/ml ... ince-2004/

Players payroll down. Owners pocketing increase in revenues.

Indians have been increasing their payroll bit by bit in recent years. I'm not blasting the ownership until we see who's on hand on March 1.

BTW: Rajai Davis signed a minor league deal with the Mets.

Hillbilly wrote:Houston is now 4th most populated city in America. (as of 2014)

Cleveland is 48th.

Even Houston can outspend us now.

Maybe team ought to move to Columbus. They are 15th. Just behind San Fran and Indy.

https://www.infoplease.com/us/us-cities ... n-and-rank

Or halfway in between to gain from both markets.

2018 attendance

http://www.espn.com/mlb/attendance/_/sort/homeTotal

Brantley was the Player To Be Named Later in the CC to the Brewers in 2008.

On July 7th, 2008, the Brewers acquired Cleveland Indians ace, CC Sabathia for “future superstar” prospect Matt LaPorta, pitcher Zack Jackson, pitcher Rob Bryson and throw-in center fielder, Michael Brantley.

Throw-in?

Just goes to show the unpredictability of how a minor leaguer will do in the bigs sometimes.

Fortunately someone in the Tribe organization liked Brantley enough to steal him.

Brantley was the guy from their organization that I wanted. I remember LaPorta was a big prospect of theirs. And a 3rd baseman named Green that they didn't want to part with. (where did he end up?) But Brantley was the guy I asked for here.

And by the way, Brantley hit 0 homers his first year in minors.

He hit 0 homers his second year in minors.

He hit 2 homers his 3rd year in minors.

And he hit 2 homers his 4th year in minors.

Matter of fact, he hit a grand total of 18 homers over parts of 6 years in minors.

I wanted him any way. Cause the average, OBP, and BB/K rate was all there. You knew he was patient, had an eye, and was a pro hitter. And I knew power would come.