The Cleveland Plain Dealer assesses the set of prospects the Indians received in the Cliff Lee deal.
"Knapp: A 19-year-old right-hander, who underwent right shoulder surgery shortly after the deal was made. The Indians, reportedly, wouldn't have made the trade without him. Marson: Has a good chance to be the opening day catcher April 5 in Chicago. Carrasco: Like Knapp, he has a great pitcher's body. In a September call-up, he showed he throws hard and gets hit hard. He's expected to open the season at Class AAA Columbus. Donald: If there is a mystery player in the trade, Donald is probably it. After the July 29 trade, he played only 10 games for Columbus because he was recovering from surgery on his left knee and then injured his back.
On Donald, who made his second start at shortstop yesterday and is fighting for a spot as a utility infielder: "We think Jason can be a solid everyday major-league player," Indians director of player development Ross Atkins told the Plain Dealer. "He does everything well. He's a polished middle infielder who can play every infield position but first. He has very good instincts and plenty of arm to play any position on the infield." [Link]
Here’s a look at how several ex-Phillies are faring this spring:
Marson: .333 (4 for 12) 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 SB
Donald: .143 (2 for 14), 0 HR, 1 RBI
Carrasco: 3 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 K, 0 BB (starts today against Colorado)
Drabek: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 K, 3 BB
Taylor: .130 (3 for 23), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 7 SO
Cardenas: .400 (6 for 15), 3 RBI, 5 R
2 Steals for Lou Marson?!? Gotta love Spring Training.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:23 AM
He's a polished middle infielder who can play every infield position but first. He has very good instincts and plenty of arm to play any position on the infield.
Wasn't Donald's arm strength a concern? Or was it his range at short? I forget.
Posted by: R.Billingsly | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Is he white? Is he a middle infielder? Is his offense just eh? Are you sure he is white? Feel free to describe him as a grinder! He may be scrappy as well!
Posted by: eh | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:39 AM
A scrappy grinder? Be still my heart!
Posted by: Jason | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Or a 'student of the game.'
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:51 AM
If Taylor's at bats/H are correct, then he's only hitting .130
Posted by: Robby J | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Marson does have solid speed for a catcher. At the same when noticing his steals I think I need to mention that Matt Stairs stole a base yesterday for the Padres. Gotta respect that speed.
Posted by: Jon | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:52 AM
On Donald, it was his range at SS...and his arm at 3B. Though the arm was less of a concern IIRC.
Well, Stairs DID lose a bunch of weight this off-season...maybe he's a 40/40 threat now.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Jon, Stairs reportedly has lost a ton of weight.
Maybe that and greasing the old wheels has rejuvinated him? :)
Posted by: awh | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:58 AM
As in 40 at bats 40 Stikeouts?
Posted by: TJ G | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:59 AM
The Nationals released Elijah Dukes, even with MiL options.
Color me surprised.
Posted by: awh | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Tim Malcom, formerly of Phillies Nation, created a Phillies Blog March Madness Bracket. Beerleaguer got a #1 seed, while my site (We Should Be GMs) pulled in a 5. This is a cool concept and it will be interesting to see how it turns out.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:11 PM
"You gotta respect his speed, or he'll burn you all day."
-Joe Morgan on Matt Stairs at some point in 2010
Posted by: dlhunter | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:12 PM
Oops. .167 is his on base. Thx.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:13 PM
****Color me surprised****
Why? The guy is human scum. They had to hire a guy just to follow him around and keep him out of trouble. Add in mediocre stats and a terrible attidude...and its time to go.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:17 PM
I'm pretty surprised. Living in the DC market, I hadn't heard any rumors that his release was impending. He is/was a very bad man (in a Babu from Seinfeld voice, waving index finger)
Posted by: Bedrosian's Beard | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:23 PM
I'm sure they had a good reason...and I'm sure it will eventually be disclosed.
Maybe some sort of criminal charges are pending?
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:27 PM
I thought the story around Elijah Dukes 2 years ago was how he turned his tuurrrible life around and was an all around good guy now...
Posted by: joe | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:33 PM
****I thought the story around Elijah Dukes 2 years ago was how he turned his tuurrrible life around and was an all around good guy now...****
LOL...was he in the "best shape of his life" too?
Had he found God? etc etc.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:35 PM
From MLBTradeRumors:
"The Nationals released outfielder Elijah Dukes, according to a team press release. According to a tweet from MASN's Ben Goessling, the move had nothing to do with off-the-field issues. This is very surprising news, as Dukes projected as the team's starting right fielder and has a minor league option left. Goessling talked to Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, who said the team made many attempts to trade Dukes but could not find an interested team (Twitter link). Dukes' time with Washington was marked by injuries and a disappointing '09 season."
Very odd if true.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:37 PM
For my money, Beerleaguer is a shoe-in for the final four, assuming it can get by crashburnalley. That guy tweets like a mo-fo, and writes some really sound stats-oriented pieces. He's also bolstered by a connection to ESPN and BP. But I like Jason W into the final four.
Carson, I like your chances too, but it looks like you drew a bad bracket, with the ZoZone lurking as the biggest threat. Good luck!
Posted by: Phillies Red | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Congrats on the #1 seed.
Posted by: Jbird | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Sorry GM-Carson but Zoo with Roy looks to me to have a solid chance at the old 12 v 5 upset. That blog is awesome.
Posted by: RodeoJones | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:45 PM
I see a final 4 of
Phuture Phillies
The Good Phight
Beerleaguer
Zo Zone
I think the Lauber region is pretty weak. Had a hard time picking a winner
Posted by: Jbird | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:51 PM
PhilliesRed: I agree, Crashburn Alley and then ZoZone are going to make the Elite 8 and Final 4 a hard slog.
Posted by: Jbird | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:53 PM
As foe Donald, Knapp Marson, etc. The trew value will be shown in the coming years. Cleveland did pretty well when they traded Colón and Tim Drew for Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips. My guess all 4 are major leaguers with Knapp the biggest upside. Also people worry the Cliff Lee salary dump trade to Seattle will be like Abreu trade to NYC - I think we'll see all three in the major leagues but my guess is Gilles will be the big guy.
Posted by: Slocs | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 01:09 PM
*true value
Posted by: Slocs | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 01:10 PM
I'm pulling for a final 4 of Phuture Phillies, BL, The Fightins (although I really love High Cheese as well), and Zo Zone.
Posted by: Jonesman | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 01:10 PM
4DR is a 9 seed, hahaha
Posted by: Bay Slugga | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 03:44 PM