Baseball Guru
12-13-2004, 09:40 AM
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=knight-indiansstillawaitclementd&prov=knight&type=lgns
By Sheldon Ocker, Beacon Journal staff writer
ANAHEIM, CALIF. - The Indians remained on the verge of striking out for free-agent starter Matt Clement.
On the other hand, Clement's agent, Barry Axelrod, continued to assure general manager Mark Shapiro not to despair, that his client was in play.
"I think that Barry would tell me if we were out of it," Shapiro said Sunday, one day before the winter meetings wrap up.
However, the Anaheim Angels continued to rank as the leader in the clubhouse for Clement with a reported offer of $27 million for three years. If that figure is correct, it's doubtful that Shapiro can stay in the game.
So why is the Clement sweepstakes still ongoing? Maybe because the New York Yankees allegedly have begun talking with Axelrod about the pitcher. Why should the agent stop the game when the biggest player of all has decided to explore the possibility of signing Clement?
But haven't the Yankees purchased enough high-profile pitchers for the coming season?
Apparently, the fears about Jaret Wright's health proved unfounded, paving the way for the consummation of his three-year, $21 million deal.
Moreover, the Yankees have convinced Carl Pavano to join the Bronx Bombers, though that deal won't be announced for a few days.
So must the Yankees also snag Clement?
They have been dickering with left-hander Eric Milton for weeks. It is believed that Milton is holding out for a $24 million, three-year deal, and the Yankees are adamant about keeping the price to $21 million.
Consequently, the Yankees might be trying to put the squeeze on Milton by talking to Clement.
Meanwhile, Shapiro has been waiting for the phone to ring with a message from someone other than the housekeeper, who wants to know when she can sweep up the pile of computer printouts that litter the GM's suite.
Shapiro is prepared to institute Plans B, C and D -- whatever it takes -- in the event he does not come away with Clement. He isn't pleased with the current state of affairs, but he has resolved to make his team better one way or another.
"If we don't get our guy, we might just pull back and wait," Shapiro said. "There are two things we can do: check out who is available after non-tender day (Dec. 20) and see who is left among free-agent pitchers, guys who didn't get their price and are still out there."
Undoubtedly, there will be bodies available. Whether these pitchers are capable of making the Tribe's rotation more formidable is the question.
It could come down to whether Jason Davis becomes a smarter alternative than Shawn Estes, Jose Lima, Kevin Milwood, Aaron Sele, Jamey Wright, Ismael Valdez, Esteban Loaiza or a half-dozen others who might be left over.
Then again, teams are not built on pitching alone. Shapiro talked again about making a trade. No telling whether he has a specific deal in mind, though nothing seems to be close.
If the GM does go in that direction, his objective will be to bolster the offense.
"There is no trade of a young player imminent right now," Shapiro said. "We're just in the exploratory phase of making a trade."
It's doubtful that Shapiro would be inclined to deal away any prime young player, period, whether it were someone on the big-league roster or a minor-league phenom, such as Michael Aubrey or Adam Miller.
But who knows? What would it take to get Carlos Lee from the Chicago White Sox? Just kidding. Shapiro probably isn't aiming that high, but if he makes a deal for a hitter, he will aim for two specific positions.
"I'd be looking for either a second baseman or a right fielder," he said.
Presumably, he could use Ronnie Belliard or Casey Blake as trade bait. Belliard is the incumbent second baseman, who could make $2.5 million in arbitration. Blake could play second if Belliard is traded. If he's not, Blake might be the first option in right field. Unless Shapiro makes a deal for an outfielder.
The Associated Press reported that the team is close a one-year agreement with second baseman Jose Hernandez.
Bottom line, don't expect anything to happen quickly.
"If we don't get our primary target (Clement), any trade scenarios could take awhile to flesh out," the GM said. "It would be the same for other free agents who are out there."
Messages for Sheldon Ocker can be sent to socker@thebeaconjournal.com
By Sheldon Ocker, Beacon Journal staff writer
ANAHEIM, CALIF. - The Indians remained on the verge of striking out for free-agent starter Matt Clement.
On the other hand, Clement's agent, Barry Axelrod, continued to assure general manager Mark Shapiro not to despair, that his client was in play.
"I think that Barry would tell me if we were out of it," Shapiro said Sunday, one day before the winter meetings wrap up.
However, the Anaheim Angels continued to rank as the leader in the clubhouse for Clement with a reported offer of $27 million for three years. If that figure is correct, it's doubtful that Shapiro can stay in the game.
So why is the Clement sweepstakes still ongoing? Maybe because the New York Yankees allegedly have begun talking with Axelrod about the pitcher. Why should the agent stop the game when the biggest player of all has decided to explore the possibility of signing Clement?
But haven't the Yankees purchased enough high-profile pitchers for the coming season?
Apparently, the fears about Jaret Wright's health proved unfounded, paving the way for the consummation of his three-year, $21 million deal.
Moreover, the Yankees have convinced Carl Pavano to join the Bronx Bombers, though that deal won't be announced for a few days.
So must the Yankees also snag Clement?
They have been dickering with left-hander Eric Milton for weeks. It is believed that Milton is holding out for a $24 million, three-year deal, and the Yankees are adamant about keeping the price to $21 million.
Consequently, the Yankees might be trying to put the squeeze on Milton by talking to Clement.
Meanwhile, Shapiro has been waiting for the phone to ring with a message from someone other than the housekeeper, who wants to know when she can sweep up the pile of computer printouts that litter the GM's suite.
Shapiro is prepared to institute Plans B, C and D -- whatever it takes -- in the event he does not come away with Clement. He isn't pleased with the current state of affairs, but he has resolved to make his team better one way or another.
"If we don't get our guy, we might just pull back and wait," Shapiro said. "There are two things we can do: check out who is available after non-tender day (Dec. 20) and see who is left among free-agent pitchers, guys who didn't get their price and are still out there."
Undoubtedly, there will be bodies available. Whether these pitchers are capable of making the Tribe's rotation more formidable is the question.
It could come down to whether Jason Davis becomes a smarter alternative than Shawn Estes, Jose Lima, Kevin Milwood, Aaron Sele, Jamey Wright, Ismael Valdez, Esteban Loaiza or a half-dozen others who might be left over.
Then again, teams are not built on pitching alone. Shapiro talked again about making a trade. No telling whether he has a specific deal in mind, though nothing seems to be close.
If the GM does go in that direction, his objective will be to bolster the offense.
"There is no trade of a young player imminent right now," Shapiro said. "We're just in the exploratory phase of making a trade."
It's doubtful that Shapiro would be inclined to deal away any prime young player, period, whether it were someone on the big-league roster or a minor-league phenom, such as Michael Aubrey or Adam Miller.
But who knows? What would it take to get Carlos Lee from the Chicago White Sox? Just kidding. Shapiro probably isn't aiming that high, but if he makes a deal for a hitter, he will aim for two specific positions.
"I'd be looking for either a second baseman or a right fielder," he said.
Presumably, he could use Ronnie Belliard or Casey Blake as trade bait. Belliard is the incumbent second baseman, who could make $2.5 million in arbitration. Blake could play second if Belliard is traded. If he's not, Blake might be the first option in right field. Unless Shapiro makes a deal for an outfielder.
The Associated Press reported that the team is close a one-year agreement with second baseman Jose Hernandez.
Bottom line, don't expect anything to happen quickly.
"If we don't get our primary target (Clement), any trade scenarios could take awhile to flesh out," the GM said. "It would be the same for other free agents who are out there."
Messages for Sheldon Ocker can be sent to socker@thebeaconjournal.com