Crisp, Riske sent to Boston for Marte, Mota

[bravest]

sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;?slug=ap-redsox-indianstrade

Crisp is bound for Boston after being traded Friday by the Cleveland Indians to the Red Sox, finally giving them a replacement for Johnny Damon in center field and at the leadoff spot in the batting order.

Crisp's departure has been rumored for more than a week, but the deal was first held up by medical questions Cleveland had about reliever Guillermo Mota and then was delayed by a trade between the Indians and Philadelphia Phillies.

Decent deal for both squads.

Crisp is a guy who can come right in and fill Boston's void in center, while Riske can hold his own in the pen. Prospect Andy Marte has 30+ HR power, so if he pans out this will be a bargain for Cleveland (catcher Kelly Shoppach, in addition to Marte and reliever Guillermo Mota, was also sent to the Indians; backup catcher Josh Bard was sent to Boston).

On a sidenote:

Outfielder Jason Michaels, who a week ago was rumored to be headed to the Red Sox, is now part of the Tribe:

Before that deal was finalized, the Indians sent reliever Arthur Rhodes to Philadelphia for outfielder Jason Michaels, the probable replacement for Crisp as Cleveland's starting left fielder.

[Alex Confer]

Thanks for letting me know all this stuff, CNN.

[sep]

bsktballr said:

Thanks for letting me know all this stuff, CNN.

Lol. Keep it coming b-vest.

[ChisAto]

Bama should just make a board called: Bravest's Top News

[King James]

God, it seems like the Indians are gonna stink this year.

[JackTheRipper]

I think they'll be right about where they were last year. Really, they only lost Millwood and slightly down-graded from Crisp to Michaels. It will depend on Grady improving, C.C. getting back on track, Lee and Westbrook pitching well and Hafner and Victor providing pop. The Indians could surprise.

[bearcat]

jacktheripper said:

I think they'll be right about where they were last year. Really, they only lost Millwood and slightly down-graded from Crisp to Michaels. It will depend on Grady improving, C.C. getting back on track, Lee and Westbrook pitching well and Hafner and Victor providing pop. The Indians could surprise.

It's probably a two-horse race in the AL Central this year.

[sep]

tbbearcat5 said:

It's probably a two-horse race in the AL Central this year.

I dont know, I think it could be a three-horse race.

[bearcat]

Oh yeah, it's going to be the Royals.

</sarcasm>

But who are you thinking of, Minnesota?

[sep]

tbbearcat5 said:

But who are you thinking of, Minnesota?

Yeah, they always seem to be there at the end of the season, well except last year.

[bearcat]

I've always like Torii Hunter, and I think the Twinkies have a shot, but it's not a matter of the Twins being better, it's more that Cleveland and Chicago being too good. Minnesota should be right there, Detroit is improved, and the Royals, well....they will be the Royals, although they've added some seasoned vets and I won't cringe watching them play AAA level ball at the major league level. They'll be more competitive this year.

[JackTheRipper]

tbbearcat5 said:

I've always like Torii Hunter, and I think the Twinkies have a shot, but it's not a matter of the Twins being better, it's more that Cleveland and Chicago being too good. Minnesota should be right there, Detroit is improved, and the Royals, well....they will be the Royals, although they've added some seasoned vets and I won't cringe watching them play AAA level ball at the major league level. They'll be more competitive this year.

I think it's a three-horse race with Chicago being the most advanced of the three. Cleveland and Minnesota are on even footing because Minnesota has better pitching/team defense while the tribe has better hitting. It'll be a close race overall, but I say Chi-town wins the division with Cleveland taking second and possibly the wild card.

[longhornfaithful]

Minnesota is a solid team, and all ways gets close, or makes the playoffs.

But like all teams from Minnesota, I bet the blow it at the end.

[bearcat]

I don't think there's a rotation in the bigs that can match the South Siders. Top to bottom, no one can match. Losing Aaron Rowand is huge, though. He was a big part of that offense. I think Thome will come back and have a much better year than last year, though, and Chicago wins the Central again, but not by as much as last season.

Potentially, though, Cleveland can match them, but they are going to need better years out of Westbrook and Sabathia, and for young guys like Sizemore and Peralta to keep developing.