...do we consider trading Byrd when Westbrook gets back? I know some people may say dont you mean trading C.C., however, I'm still for keeping CC. The point though is that with CC/Fausto/Lee/Westbrook/Laffey -- presumable Adam Miller in the minors at some point contributing--what on earth do we need Byrd for at 8 million a year? I hear the Yankees are desperate. Isnt Byrd better than David Wells at this stage in their careers?
Depends what we could get for him. He's not going to be back next year anyway. Plus, we have Sowers and Miller for SP depth. Not opposed to trading him, but I doubt we would get anything that could help us this year for him since he'd only be a rental and is a #4 starter. Still, even if we got 1-2 low level prospects with potential it might be worth it.
It has to be a good deal! I too am not opposed to dealing Byrd but you talking about a veteran pitcher and there are teams out there willing to take him. Its tough because he is still capable of chucking some great games for us but not against the big teams in the AL, they eat him up. Laffey is nice but they need to see how he responds after a bad game. Sowers and Miller could be very nice spot starters but I dont think they are ready to be in the rotation everyday. The Tribe is in a very nice situation right now. Westy goes down and Laffey picks up where he left off. You cant have to much pitching!
Pitching isnt our problem. Peralta, Travis and Garko need to start hitting consistently. If they can get anything out of these guys, watch out! Peralta better get his head out his azz. Cabrera looked very comfy at SS last night, and I love the energy Carroll brings! LEts take this 3rd game against the BLueJays!!! Go Tribe
This is a great question. As long as the MLB season is I don't think it hurts to have an abundance of starting pitching but I think at this point Byrd is expendable. He hasn't pitched all that well this year and is definitely on the other side of his peak as a solid starting pitcher. I like Laffey and I think with Miller and Sowers in the minors on call in case of injury that they should explore what they could get for Byrd. As someone else said, there are a lot of teams with a lot of money that would take on Byrd's contract in order to secure a starting pitcher. The real question is what do the Indians need to get in return to make it worth their while? I'm thinking any kind of bat with some power numbers is needed. With Hafner struggling so much they need somebody who can drive in some runs. I'm not sure what is out there in that regard but something to think about for sure.
I wouldn't be that opposed to trading Byrd but can we get in return for him? Obviously the Indians are deep in starting pitching with the likes of Sowers, Laffey, and Miller waithing in the wings. My question is could they get a decent hitter for him? If the answer is yes I would definetly trade him. But if their going to trade just for the sake of trading then I say just hang onto the veteran.
Keeping Byrd for now is our best option. We have great balance with 3 lefties and 3 righties when Westbrook is back in late May.
I'm a big fan of Byrd. He's a professional and can be lights out, and also proved to be solid come playoff time. But starting pitchers are at a premium in the league, especially veterans that have proved they can win, and Byrd is that.
At the very least, hold him until the deadline when teams get desperate and maybe a team like the Yankees or someone else in need of help, Braves? or an injured team needs some help. But Laffey has proved he can pitch here. I can't wait to see Miller starting and to see if Sowers can bounce back. If Miller comes as advertised, and Sowers gets back to his Maddux-like style, this rotation will be much like the Braves had in the mid 90's.
Also there is the possibility of losing Byrd and C.C. for 2009 since both are FA's. If nobody else was acquired, it'd be assumed the '09 rotation would be Carmona, Lee, Westbrook, Sowers, Miller.
So if you were going to trade Byrd, possibly it could be done for some SP prospects, but I'm not sure if the Yanks would give up a guy like an Ian Kennedy? Either way we have guys like De La Cruz, Lofgren, Scott Lewis, etc. so you can deal from an area of depth, assuming you have the right deal presented, otherwise hold onto him and hope for the best.
