Garko traded to Giants for Class A lefty

I like this deal. Sure, it might not pan out (Barnes is obviously a couple of years away from helping us), but Garko's time was obviously running out with the Tribe.
We got what we needed from this deal, and at least now I have a reason to watch Giants' games with my father-in-law.

AC, I heard a rumor that there's a PTBNL coming from the Giants, too -- any truth to that?

Ha! Thanks, AC!

guess it is good we are going to give Marte a chance at the MLB level now. Step up or step out maybe?

Actually get to watch the game tonight. Angel's announcer mentions that the Tribe line-up was changed at the last minute, doesn't explain why. Would that really be so hard?
I'm looking forward to Marte 2.0.

i'm gonna miss him in a Indians uniform but at least he's getting out from under wedgie....

Although the Indians still have something of a glut of first basemen between Cleveland and the upper minors, moving Garko suddenly makes a trade of Cliff Lee that nets James Loney (among others) look a whole lot more likely.

I dunno. With Marte getting starts at first and LaPorta getting starts at first in AAA, it would seem unlikely that we'd deal for a first baseman.

it's not like I was calling a shot in the dark at 1:32pm yesterday afternoon but I must say with the slightest about of happiness that I thoroughly enjoy being right b/c it happens so seldom. Good luck Ryan.

LaPorta is the future replacement of Garko's roster spot however I must wonder if Peralta's stock is also rising much like Garko's was so we can move him. I'm not suggesting that the Triple-A Marte is Peralta's heir apparent considering Wes Hodges is a likely 2010 candidate but moving Peralta for more pitching frees up Marte to get a consistent look and strengthens our Kinston rotation I guess.

LACF, I agree. Shapiro himself said we traded from an area of depth. LA better have something better than James Loney to deal around. I'm looking forward to seeing how Marte does.

I would've hoped they could've done better than a 9th rated prospect at A level for Garko, the Giants have a glut of pitchers and really need hitters, I'm surprised they couldn't have got more, especially after getting 2 high level prospects for Derosa. The Indians don't need A level prospects now. Better than keeping Garko though. I wish they had made some of these moves before the season, instead of focusing on offensive versatility (Jeff Stevens has yet to give up a run over 5.2 innings for the Cubs, I still say if they'd had him to call up at the beginning, this season might have turned out differently) ... Nothing would make me happier now than a trade of Peralta. I've hoped for a Peralta trade for the past 2 years, his slow starts are deadly, and he always has another extended period during the year when he can't hit. Hopefully they can also move Pavano for something, with Carmona taking Pavano's spot. Then, with Marte at 3b and Laporta at 1b and Carmona pitching like it's 2007, they'll go 30-5 and take over 1st place at the beginning of September

So we traded a proven Major League RBI machine for a 9th rated Class A prospect? Gee Mark, why didn't you just GIVE Garko away? Disgusting.

while James Loney is a decent 1B option I cannot see Shapiro dealing a decent 1B option in Garko only to acquire another one in Loney. kevindean said it best, "James Loney is a slightly more athletic Ryan Garko." I agree and therefore do not want him.

With all the rumors circulating about J.P. Ricciardi being stubborn to a fault in Toronto and how every one of those teams eying Halladay are now focusing more on Cliff Lee, I would venture a guess that now more than ever that Lee gets dealt. It doesn't bother me b/c I still don't think we can compete in 2010 for the entire season.

In my perfect scenario, Halladay gets traded first but not to Philadelphia. That way the Phillies are desperate to acquire Lee and put together a huge package for him that starts with Kyle Drabek.

cle2sd, while I like Ryan Garko no one in or around baseball would call him a "proven Major League RBI machine." I think you are letting your fanhood and pessimism of Mark Shapiro get the better of your baseball logic. I like the enthusiasm though.

isavage, 30-5, huh? That would be something. I want Peralta gone as much as you do. I like your thoughts on the Marte/LaPorta infield even if it's only the rest of the season to gauge Andy's value to us long term. The Pavano/Carmona angle makes sense which means that Shapiro will not think it has any merit or substance. Pick your poison though. We cannot realistically afford to deal Lee and Pavano. Who would replace Lee's spot? Ohka, Lofgren, Westbrook, Lewis, Jackson? Talk about throwing in the towel.

isavage, it has to be asked: are you related to Jeff Stevens? Because unless he's able to throw three to four scoreless innings every day, I don't see how one arm in our bullpen was ever going to help us. We still don't have anyone in there I trust (I'm looking at you, Wood).
From what I've read online (and, let's be fair, most of it is just speculation), people seem to think Barnes will make a few starts in A and then get bumped up to AA pretty quickly. I think he's exactly the kind of guy we need, particularly if we already think we'll lose Lee after next year.
As for trading Lee, I can't imagine any scenario that doesn't involve a top of the line young pitcher. Kershaw would be interesting. His numbers are good, but he IS in the NL West. But we would absolutely need to get a major league ready, top of the rotation, young starter just as a start, then perhaps some minor league relievers to boot.

Moving Peralta has always been an interesting idea. My only concern is that it would give us less than half a season to see if Marte is for real at third (again) and, if he's not, we'll go into spring training with a question mark there again. We're like Spinal Tap and drummers over there.
If I had to hazard a guess, though, I would think that Carroll is the next one to be dealt, and that perhaps we'll see more of what we saw last night -- Jhonny at the DH, which opens it up for Marte to play third.
Or, heck, maybe we'll see Jhonny back at short for the next three games to increase his appeal.

Does anyone know why Grady has been out of the lineup twice in the past three games?

jkrumwiede--Grady was out last night because of sickness/flu. He was out a couple of nights ago b/c of his elbow (normal off day). Not sure yet if he's playing tonight.

Speaking of Grady, how about that catch by Francisco last night? I still maintain he'd make a great 4th outfielder and since I don't think he's got a lot of trade value, I think we should hold on to him.
Also, I can't be the only one hoping Gimenez gets to catch his boy Huff again tonight, can I? If Shoppach gets in games because Lee keeps throwing well, then Gimenez should get the same consideration.

Ok.
I agree LACF. I think we've had this conversation before. He has great range, a decent glove and arm. He would also be good off the bench to run, hit, etc.
Also, I'm really starting to like Gimenez. I think he should, as you mentioned, be catching more for these young guys, who he has likely had a relationship with in the Minors. Plus, he is learning quickly.

LACF, I can think of 5 or 6 games off the top of my head which the Indians almost certainly would've won had they been able to put one reliable reliever in instead of putting Rafael Perez and Jensen Lewis in to not get 3 outs. They wouldn't be leading the division, but they are one good reliever away from being 5-6 games out ... this is also why they shouldn't think about trading Lee, the division is terrible, and probably won't be much different next year