Organizing the Offseason - Possible Targets: Fuetnes,
Gregg, Isringhausen, Lyon

post from The Tribe Time Report on 24 October 2008 05:03:00 PM. © The Tribe Time Report

Time to start the closers on our offseason priority char t. These are all pitchers who closed for their teams last year.

Brian Fuentes - Colorado Rockies (Out of Price Range)
Position: Closer (Could Use), B/T: L/L
Age: 33, Height: 6'4, Weight: 220
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com

I originally had Brian Fuentes as a Fall Back option..

Now, apparently according to Jon Heyman we are one of the team's in it for Fuentes.

HOWEVA!!!

He's now out of our price range.

Wait, what? WHY?!

He is looking at a Three Year Deal in the mid-30 million dollar range.

10 mil plus (probably in the 12 m range) for three years for a guy who hasn't been a solid closer for the past few years? Granted he did well last year after he got his spot back, and he was a solid option for the Rox for the past few years before he lost his job.. But come on now!?

No thanks.. Brad Lidge is making a little more than that and Fuentes is no Brad Lidge.

If that's the cost, this discussion is over, Fuentes is not a viable option.. That is way too much money.

Kevin Gregg - Florida Marlins (Fall Back Option)
Position: Closer (Could Use), B/T: S/R
Age: 30, Height: 6'6, Weight: 220
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com

Kevin Gregg is a guy we could have targeted last year at the deadline. However who knows.

He's a legit option to close or be up there as a set-up man if Jensen Lewis beats him out.

He's been hiding Florida these past few years and apparently the arbitration eligible reliever is available. That also says Dan Uggla probably won't be on the market, probably no longer a legit option for us.

Gregg is an interesting player.

Saved 32 games last year, 29 this.. His ERA was lowered, pitched in less innings though. Gregg has saved games in the AL though with Los Angeles(Anaheim).

I wouldn't be opposed if he came on the cheap in a trade. He will make a good chunk through arbitration, nothing crazy I would imagine, but if the Marlins are interested in trading him away, at the right price it would be a sound move.

He would compete with Lewis for the closers spot, if he wins, great, if he doesn't, he'd be a nice guy to have for the 7th if need be, 6th inning at worst.

Jason Isringhausen - St. Louis Cardinals (Short Term Solution)
Position: Closer (Could Use), B/T: R/R
Age: 36, Height: 6'3, Weight: 195
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com

ROCK... Solid..

Since 2000, till 2007.. Okay, his second to last year in Oakland.

AT LEAST 30 saves, excluding a 22 save season in 2003 in which he missed some time.. 2000 and 2006 were the only years he had ERA's in the 3's.. 2001-2005 and 2007 we're all in the 2's.

Come on.. That's as solid as they come.

Unfortunately.. Things broke down for Izzy last year and at one point at the end they said he might be done for good.

However, after elbow surgery, Izzy will be ready to go next season and this is the part I get giddy.

He is planning on signing an incentive based deal with someone.

Sign me up.

When a guy says.. I'll sign with you for a low salary, but if I play well it will increase, I say.. Sign him up..

This is the PERFECT option for us.. Think about it.

Isringhausen signs for a low amount, that will increase if he saves a certain number of games.. If he doesn't he doesn't get paid, we don't lose that much money, if he gets hurt, oh well. We have Jensen Lewis to step in.

If he does end up kicking ass.. What's so wrong with paying a guy for performance?

This is my number one option.. I want it, and I hope it happens.. I'd go crazy. I really would.

Brandon Lyon - Arizona Diamondbacks (Fall Back Option)
Position: Closer (Could Use), B/T: R/R
Age: 29, Height: 6'1, Weight: 170
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com

Brandon Lyon really shouldn't even be in the closers section.

I'm not sure if anyone will give him closers money.

Lyon lost his job to Rauch at the end of the year.. He was shaky, he was bleh.. He is unexciting and we don't know if he has the mentality.

I'd avoid this one unless it's a cheap setup option.

Even then.. Mehhhh

He set a career high in saves.. He had the job one year, then they had Jose Valverde, then they traded him and gave Lyon the spot..

Just.. avoid this at all costs.. This would be an extreme fallback option..

I'd rather have Jensen Lewis close games than Brandon Lyon.

Which means.. Don't even consider him.

Next: Finish up our first round of possible targets tomorrow. I'll be in Michigan but the post will be done and go up sometime in the middle of the day. We begrudgingly look at Francisco Rodriguez, BJ Ryan, Huston Street, and Kerry Wood. Otherwise known as the you have no chance in hell group.

Updating you on Hank Blalock, looks like his option will be picked up.
BRYAN BULLINGTON IS GONE! The Toronto Blue Jays took yet another pitcher off our hands, unfortunately for them I don't think they know what they are getting into with Bullington. The Blue Jays claimed the Running of the Bullington off Waivers.
Hey Ladies, make sure you pick up your copy of Men's Vogue.. Or wait.. why would you pick up Men's Vogue? errr wait a second what man that reads this blog would pick up Men's Vogue? Anyway, Ladies if you want your fill of Grady posing for pictures in expensive clothing.. Read this.. Boy if Grady was attention starved, he'd have no problem getting it.. It sounds as if this is like this type of stuff is a chore to him.. I love it.. The pretty boy that doesn't want to be pretty. The ladies man that want's be a tough man. It's like "Grady honey, go clean your room..." "But I don't wanna!!!" "Grady!! come on now, I'll give you a cookie!" "Oooookay!"
Speaking of Grady, One of the 24th best young player in the game according to Bill James. I think he should be higher, but whatever.
The MLB Players have recognized Fernando TATIS and Cliff Lee as the Comeback Players of the year.
FROM The TSN Magazine.. Cliff Lee is the AL All-Star Starting Pitcher, Grady Sizemore is apart of the Outfield. Cliff Lee is also comeback player of the year and Pitcher of the year as noted. Keep on keeping on Cliff, more hardware on the way.
As noted about Bryan Bullington, that's one spot freed up and another. Brian Slocum was outrighted to Columbus, I guess no one wanted any part of Smoke 'Em Slocum. Why would they? Slocum is out of options.