In recent years, it would have been the Expos dumping payroll and helping a team like the Indians make a playoff push. But this is 2002 and the Expos today acquired Indian ace Bartolo Colon and a player to be named for the Expos' Lee Stevens and three minor leaguers. Expos look like they are serious about going for the wild card, while looks like the Tribe are throwing in the towel.

.....and what does this apparent fire sale mean for Jim Thome?


~Adam

Braves fans should be concerned at the moment, because the Expos will be a threat for the remainder of the season. I wish the M's could have aquired Colon so maybe we could go further in the post-season against the Yanks or possibly the R-Sox. Our owners and management are somewhat cheap I guess. I mean we are a team with money and talent to spare.

You know the phrase "like there's no tomorrow"? For Les Expos, there probably is no tomorrow. 2002 is it. Might as well try to win now. And Les Expos are legitimate wild card contenders. (The Braves have just about wrapped up the division already.)

As for Thome, I think getting 'Spos 1st baseman Lee Stevens in the trade is a sign that the Tribe desperately want to unload Thome. ESPN seems to think Thome is Atlanta-bound. But with AOL/Time-Warner stock in the tank, I don't know if the AOL Braves can afford to take on a mega-contract.

Other than the Yankees and the Mariners, I don't know who can afford to take on big contracts for the stretch drive this year. Thome's not a good fit in either place. Anaheim would be a perfect fit for him if Disney were willing to spend some money.

Nice! One step closer to an Expos/Twins World Series! And no one loves the smell of "Colon" like us Frenchmen!

But seriously, folks, this is just what the Expos pitching staff needed, a top-notch starter to join Vazquez, Armas and the surprisingly good Ohka, since "the Carl Pavano Experiment" fizzled out. Add this new kid Zak Day as your fifth, and you've got a helluva lot of quality innings there. The bullpen has performed fairly well this season, and it looks like they've finally found a reliable post-Urbina closer in Scott Stewart.

Maybe the "player to be named later" in this trade is Thome? The 'Spos are pretty weak at first base now, 'cause I can't see Andres Gallaraga being more than a bench player, and none of the youngsters or journeymen on the roster have much experience at first. As for Lee Stevens, he was like the Tony Clark of the NL: solid on defense, but couldn't hit over .200, with way too many strike-outs.

Another thought. The addition of Colon brings yet another Latin player to the Expos, joining fellow Dominicans Guerrero, Tatis and Mateo in a line-up that also includes Armas (Venezuela), Vazquez and Vidro (Puerto Rico), Cabrera (Columbia), and Wil Cordero (?). Is this an indication by MLB that the Expos are moving to Puerto Rico next year?

Oh yeah, one more thing... can Colon hit?

This is what being a Tribe fan is all about. Management seems to forget that you kinda need an ace to win. Frustrated, even pissed.

I'm heading to Montreal in late July just to catch an Expos game, out of fear they won't be around in 2003. I'm a lifelong Astros fan, but I'd love to see Montreal make the playoffs.

[quote].....and what does this apparent fire sale mean for Jim Thome?

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Hmmm.....The Angels aren't getting any production out of the 1st base position and they have a stockpile of young pitchers in their system. Maybe trade a few prospects for The Anaconda? He might be on the downward side of his career so maybe the Angels can pay a little less than they would have, say, 3 years ago. He'd sure look great in an Angels uniform!

Some quotes from fans in the cleveland paper:

"If the Indians want to save money, I'll play; they can pay the amount of my U.S.Marine retirement, I could probably hit .190 !" (Lee Stevens current batting avg)

"This is the worst trade the Indians have made since they traded Manhattan for a string of beads."

"This trade makes Art Modell look like a Saint."

While giving up Colon does seem to indicate that the Indians have given up on the 2002 season, I don't think it's such a horrible trade. Didn't Cleveland get a minor-league shortstop who supposedly has the talent to join the A-Rod/Nomar/Jeter class? Time will tell how the kid'll pan out.

Seph, I don't know who's surprised by Tommy Okha's good season, but Red Sox fans-in-the-know sure aren't. Okha went 15 and 0 in the minors before getting called up to the big team, where Joe Kerrigan overtinkered his mechanics and Jimy Williams destroyed his confidence. The poor guy left Boston a wreck, but he was healthy and there was no reason he couldn't return to form, with the right coaching/managing. I'm very happy for Les Expos and Okha himself that he has returned to form.

[quote]Originally posted by BoSoxRudy:
While giving up Colon does seem to indicate that the Indians have given up on the 2002 season, I don't think it's such a horrible trade. Didn't Cleveland get a minor-league shortstop who supposedly has the talent to join the A-Rod/Nomar/Jeter class?

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All minor league shortstops supposedly have A-Rod/Nomar/Jeter class talent. That's why they're called "prospects," because they only have the PROSPECT of turning into super studs.

Brandon Phillips is the kid shortstop. It's still a horrible trade for the Tribe. Colon is only 26. He's still on the upside of his career. You dump stars for prospects when the stars enter their declining years. To do it sooner than that is an Allard Baird/KC Royals small market death philosophy.

Colon is 29. This was revealed last year.

"Next" year is when Colon will want 13-15 million and the Tribe was not willing to pay it since the team won't be contending (as usual only the few teams with money will be able to, and Montreal won't be around after this year either)

meanwhile, back at the ranch....where is cleveland fan's motivation to go to the games, when the owner and g.m. say we won't be contending until 2005 ?

[ July 01, 2002: Message edited by: osufan ]

[quote]Originally posted by osufan:
Colon is 29. This was revealed last year.

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As Gilda Radner as Miss Emily Litella would say, "never mind."

Due to his (questionable) physical shape, I guess Colon makes it no farther than age 32 before his skills erode. Five to six years worth of Colon would have been a stupid trade for a mere "prospect." Note: Phillips is probably the only one in this trade that matters. There are a dozens of Lee Stevens caliber first basemen out there and available ... you don't need to trade your ace pitcher for one. The other two "prospects" do not have the same advance word as Phillips.

However, two or three years worth of Colon though? Different animal entirely. Fair trade for both teams. These today-for-future swaps work when you've got a smart GM (e.g., Billy Beane, Dave Dombrowski) making them. They invariably backfire when you've got an idiot GM (e.g., Allard Baird, Cam Bonifay late of the Pirates) making them. As Les Expos have no future, they might as well trade their non-existent future for one last run in the present. I've changed my mind: this could be a great trade for both teams.

As for you Tribe fans, once Mark Shapiro trades Jim Thome to the Red Sox (who both desperately need a first baseman and can take on salary), it's effectively hanging out a sign: CLOSED FOR SEASON. SEE YOU IN 2005.

[ July 01, 2002: Message edited by: Charlie in the Trees ]

Thome has a "no trade" clause in his contract; he can veto any trade if he desires. And he is making his desire very well-known that he wants to stay in Cleveland. Yeah, yeah, yeah.. I know, what is said isn't always what is. But I honestly expect (hope??) to see Thome remain in Cleveland. According to a quote from Cleveland.com/tribe, Thome's intent isn't to test the free agent market or the money, its about being a baseball player and playing baseball. (And he comes across as someone who actually MEANS it, unlike someone, oh, say like Money, er, Manny Ramirez.) Mark Shapiro would pass Art Modell as the most hated man in Cleveland if he sent Thome packing.

[ July 01, 2002: Message edited by: Tazzle740 ]

Colon's first assignment with Les Expos, vs. Braves: W, 7.0IP, 5H, 2R, 1ER, 1BB, 6SO, 2.48 ERA.

2.48 ERA? I thought a player's stats are re-set back to zero when they switch leagues. His record is now 1-0, not 11-3, no? His ERA should read 1.28 now, right? Can any aficianado set me "straight" on this? Thanks.

If I'm not mistaken, they now compile his current stats as an NL pitcher (as if he were just called up from the minors or came off the disabled list). His AL stats still exist, of course, and are counted in his overall season totals and career totals. Perhaps it's his overall season ERA that they're using in the boxscore.

[quote]Originally posted by Tazzle740:
Thome has a "no trade" clause in his contract; he can veto any trade if he desires.

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Thome has said he would accept a trade to the Red Sox (because of the presence of Grady Little). I don't think he's identified any other team he'd waive his no-trade rights for.

Poor timing for Colon though. He was a shoe-in for the All Star game. Don't know what the rules are, but he surely deserved the honor. And this comes from a Twins fan who is happy to see Bartolo out of our division!

[quote]Originally posted by Charlie in the Trees:
Thome has said he would accept a trade to the Red Sox (because of the presence of Grady Little). I don't think he's identified any other team he'd waive his no-trade rights for.

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Compared to that micromanaging control freak bitch, a.k.a. Joe Kerrigan, anybody would look good. But I just love Grady. He's honest, straightforward, as well as smart, both in baseball sense and common sense. Every guy who's ever played under him seems to feel the same way, and Thome's no different. In fact, Thome and Little played golf together on the off-day before the recent Cleveland series. Mind you, they claim they never talked about the possibility of a trade, but only the old Cheers bartender Woody Boyd would be naive enough to believe that.