The blockbuster seven-player trade between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians sure didn't feel like one by the time it was over with. Blown physicals and a three-headed GM certainly do throw things off a bit.
When the smoke cleared, the Indians received Andy Marte, Guillermo Mota, Kelly Shoppach, a player to be named later and cash for Coco Crisp, David Riske and Josh Bard. Combine it with the Cleveland-Philadelphia trade that brought Jason Michaels to the Tribe for Arthur Rhodes, and the Indians will have a much different look when entering the 2006 season.
Following some hand-wringing over this deal, I came to the conclusion that there is no conclusion to come to until we see what Marte does. But if he's as good as people say he is, the Tribe may have patched a hole at a minimal cost for years to come. After all, Marte has been considered the top third base prospect since the Mets' David Wright jumped to the majors.
If Marte meets or beats the hype, watch out -- Aaron Boone's dismal first half played a big part in the Indians' disappointing first half, and maybe kept the Indians from passing the White Sox in the second half. Marte's mashed the ball at every minor league level, and he'll only be 22 this year. Of course, there is the question that if he were such a highly regarded prospect, how come he's been already traded twice this offseason? Then again, the fact that he's been traded for proven major leaguers means something.
Otherwise, here's what we know from the players who have had more than a cup of coffee at the major-league level:
*Michaels is a downgrade from Crisp, if only because he hasn't played a full season yet. His rate stats are quality, showing decent patience while hitting for a satisfactory average, and would look good hitting second behind Grady Sizemore, but there's the question of him being able to maintain it throughout the whole season. Michaels is definitely a worse left fielder, and has a reputation of a troublemaker since he punched a cop last season, but the Sox did just fine with some less-than-savory characters last season.
*For an Indians bullpen that led the entire league in ERA in 2005, it sure is experiencing a whole lot of turnover. Bob Howry, Rhodes and Riske are gone, and while Cleveland still has an impressive array of arms, those are three guys that have experienced a lot of success against the Sox over their careers. If Mota's recent struggles are any indication, he won't outperform any of the three the Tribe gave up.
*Bard vs. Shoppach is a wash. Whichever one they had wouldn't see much playing time anyway, with All-Star Victor Martinez behind the plate.
Mark Shapiro is doing an impressive job building that Cleveland ballclub, and while many felt Kenny Williams was robbed of the Executive of the Year Award, Shapiro can make an equal claim on the prize considering the Indians had their equivalent of the White Flag Trade several years ago. He's built the team up from rubble to be just as structurally and fiscally sound as the White Sox, with a little less starting pitching and a little more pop in the lineup.
Nothing's going to top Red Sox-Yankees when it comes to rivalries grabbing headlines, but Cleveland-Chicago bears watching. Last year, the Sox managed to take 14 of 19 games from the Indians while outscoring them by a total of five runs. The Indians owned the blowouts, while nine of the Sox's victories over Cleveland were decided by one run.
It'll be hard to duplicate the tension experienced in 2005, but both teams are better on paper -- why can't the games be better as well?