Why the Indians Need to Trade for Carlos Lee

The Detroit Tigers just acquired Delmon Young from the Minnesota Twins.  Apparently the Twins have a vendetta against the Tribe because you trade within your division like you bunt to break up a no-no, but I'll leave them and their misery alone for the time being.  The Tigers acquired a player who is hitting .266 with a .305 OBP and slugging a measly .357.  Regardless of these less than stellar numbers, Detroit upgraded by replacing Young for Magglio Ordonez (.223,.280.295) in 264 at bats.  Did I mention Ordonez posted those numbers batting primarily in the three hole?  Horrendous I know and yet Jim Leyland just got a contract extension.  However, the Tigers front office just gave Detroit yet another boost to their roster that may be enough to fend of the Windians... For now.

We'll see if Antonetti and staff respond.  And if I had it my way, they would in a big way.  Carlos Lee has cleared through waivers which means he is available for trade if any team so desires.  That's where the Indians come in.  Let me get the negatives out of the way before I proceed.  He's old (35), washed up (hit .246 last year and .266 this year), is a DH playing in the National League and is making an absurd amount of money (owed $18.5 million this year and next).  If we can convince Houston to take half of his next years salary, the Tribe should make the move.  Carlos Lee is a right handed, middle of the order hitter.  Consider this, Kipnis, Chisenhall, Brantley, Fukudome, Choo and Hafner are all left handed hitters with Santana and Cabrera being switch hitters.  That means that Cleveland's best lineup (Sizemore is also left handed if you are stuck in 2006) is comprised of six left handed hitters, two switch hitters and ONE right handed batter.  This leaves the Indians with very little in terms of balance throughout their lineup.  With a right handed pitcher, the lineup would feature 8 of the 9 batters coming from the same side of the plate.  This gives the pitcher that much more of a chance to settle in and get "in the zone".    Matt Laporta's inability to develop into the middle of the order hitter that the front office relied heavily on has left Manny Acta with so few options for his lineup.  Also, Michael Brantley's wrist is starting to feel like Travis Hafner's shoulder (please let me be wrong).  Further, there doesn't seem to be a viable option from the right side of the plate in the farm system anywhere in the near future.

Now let me get to what I think Carlos Lee can realistically provide this team.  I know he is a defensive liability  but put him in left and let Brantley, or Fukudome for the time being, roam center and hope their speed will make up for Lee's lack thereof.  On the offensive side, he will provide a right handed hitter that can bat in the three or four hole.  In '09 he hit .300 and slugged .489 then dropped his batting average to .246 the following year.  They averaged 75 wins those years which isn't awful (like I need to tell Tribe fans); however, they were 15 and 17 games back and finished fourth and fifth, respectively.  This year they are a million games under .500 and his numbers are just ok, and nowhere near deserving of his contract.  And while no one performs poorly on purpose, I would venture to guess that it is more than possible that Carlos Lee has lost some motivation ,it's only human nature.  Even Albert Pujols would have a decline in production if he were stuck on the Astros.  Maybe joining the Indians will provide a spark to a player in his mid 30's that was once a lethal hitter and he'll transform back into that.  Probably not.  But I'd gladly accept a .266 right handed hitter with 68 RBIs (who's BA would only trail Brantley, Donald, Kipnis, Cabrera, Hafner, and Josh Tomlin- eligible for batting title in bold).  Imagine this lineup:

Brantley/ Fukudome (CF)
Cabrera (SS)
Choo (RF)
Lee (LF)
Hafner (DH)
Santana (C)
Kipnis (2B)
Laporta (1B)
Chisenhall (3B)

I know what you're thinking.  You love Kipnis, he has earned his spot in the two hole.  Let me remind you, before his 5-5 game he was batting .232.  Giving the kid with 68 career ABs a little protection will help him immensely, this year and down the road.  Lee gives this team a much better chance to win and win now.  The front office has stated that this year is the year to win and proved it by making one big trade.  Let's see if they can muster a second.