Let's talk.... Free Agency starts Friday

Okay so here is the basic HEYYYYYYY HERE YA GO!!!!!!! idea of the Indians offseason by Anthony Castrovince.

We've killed the thing to death. About the needs and the targets.. All of that goes out the window at this point.

Here is what is clear.

• The Indians need an infielder and that is their main focus at this point
• They would like a third baseman, second baseman is second choice, with a move for Peralta and Cabrera, and shortstop is the last resort.
• The next need would be a closer. If they cannot find a closer, they will get another middle reliever and use Jensen Lewis as their closer.
• The final need is a Number Three Starter. They have options, so this isn't pressing as it is the other two positions, but they'd be wise to add one.
• The Indians will probably explore a trade for one of these needs.

Here is what I think will go down.

• The Indians will sign a number three starter if he is out there. It won't be expensive and it probably won't be long term. I could also see us going into next year with what we have, it wouldn't shock me to see us not make a move here.
  
• The Indians will sign a reliever, not a closer. I don't see a trade for Huston Street or any other proven closer getting done. The only possible guy to me is Kevin Gregg in a deal centered around Kelly Shoppach.
• The Indians will trade for a third baseman. One of our outfielders will be involved.

Here is what I want to go down.

• The Indians sign Freddy Garcia to a one year deal.
• The Indians sign Jason Isringhausen to a one year deal.
• The Indians trade Aaron Laffey and Ben Francisco to Colorado for Garrett Atkins.
• If the Indians do not trade for Atkins or someone of that quality. They could sign Joe Crede, OR a mid-range platoon type player like Mark Loretta, trade Kelly Shoppach for a closer and starter, rather than signing two free agents.

Ideally.. I'd like to see Freddy Garcia brought in on a one year deal, beneficial to both parties. Same thing goes with Jason Isringhausen, let him prove himself. The Atkins trade is a pipedream, but I think that's what would get done if the two were to make a deal.

Against Right-Handers
CF- Grady Sizemore
RF- Shin-Soo Choo
C- Victor Martinez
SS- Jhonny Peralta
DH- Travis Hafner
3B- Garrett Atkins
1B- Ryan Garko
LF- David Dellucci
2B- Asdrubal Cabrera

Against Left-Handers
CF- Grady Sizemore
LF- Shin-Soo Choo
1B- Victor Martinez
SS- Jhonny Peralta
3B- Garrett Atkins
C- Kelly Shoppach
RF- Franklin Gutierrez
2B- Asdrubal Cabrera

Bench: Jamey Carroll, Josh Barfield = 13 Position Players

SP- Cliff Lee, Fausto Carmona, Freddy Garcia, Anthony Reyes, 5th Rotation Spot(Sowers, Huff, Jackson)
RP-Rafael Perez, Jensen Lewis, Rafael Betancourt, Masahide Kobayashi, Mastny/Mujica/Jackson/Stevens...Etc.
CL- Jason Isringhausen = 11 Pitchers

The 5th Rotation Spot is up in the air of course, Laffey's name is removed with the trade.. The other bullpen spot is going to be a question going into Spring Training. That will be open competition.

The last roster spot is an unknown to me. With Francisco being traded, I have no clue where we could go. We've got a three man platoon going on at Catcher and First, a platoon in the outfield with Gutierrez and Dellucci.. BTW.. Face it.. Dellucci is on this team until half the year when LaPorta is ready... Just eat it until it happens, I don't like it, but that's what's happening.

So Barfield makes the team... I find it hard for Marte to make it with Atkins in the fold, and Carroll as the utility job. Maybe we get someone who can play a bunch of spots on the field or two people out of the bullpen impress and deserve a spot. It's nice to be flexible.

That's my whacky wish list and how I would like to see it shape out.. Will that happen? Probably not, but It's the direction I'd like/expect us to go if it's possible.

Now... That's really all I got for now.. I wasn't going to wait any longer to put this idea out there.. I might post a more in-depth version on Friday when I get more time.

Here are some links.

Paul Hoynes got really sassy with the fans in Hey Hoynsie.. Really turned me off there.. I know some of the questions were kinda odd, but man no reason to be a prick Sir..

He mentioned though that the Indians had looked in Chad Cordero.

Suddenly though.....

We HAVE EXTRA 40 Man roster spots!!!

Tony Lastoria found out that a few of these guys that we planned on adding to the 40 man don't actually need 40 man roster protection!

Kelvin De La Cruz, Hector Rondon, CARLOS SANTANA most importantly, are all going to be safe from the looks of it.

That means.. We aren't going to get pinched like previously thought. Guys like Randy Newsome might even got a spot.

So... That means.... Deep breath..

Important update btw at Indians Propsect Insider.. Damaso Espino and Andy Cannizaro, two additions to the minor league system as backups mainly, have re-signed with the club. Probably continue the roles they had last year.

Oh and hey.. A new Tribe Blog is up and running and I'd ask you to bookmark it.. Michael has commented here several times and he and I oversee the Indians section on Bleacher Report. He's got a great vision for his blog and he'll be bringing some unique stuff to the table. Make sure you check out The Tribe Guide.