Indians acquire first baseman/outfielder Lars Anderson
Lars Anderson
|
July 31, 2012
|
It might not be the blockbuster deal many fans were hoping for, but the Cleveland Indians were able to make some noise (more like a whisper) before Tuesday's trade deadline.
The Indians acquired first baseman/outfielder Lars Anderson from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Double-A starting pitcher Steven Wright.
Anderson, 24, boasts a considerable past prospect résumé as he previously ranked among Baseball America's Top 100 prospects for three straight years from 2008 to 2010. Anderson was originally selected by Boston in the 18th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Jesuit High School in Carmichael, CA.
He owns a 6-year Minor League career average of .274 (734-2681) with 182 doubles, 76 home runs and 408 RBI in 730 games while drawing 407 walks (.370OB/.435SLG/.805OPS).
Though Anderson is a left-handed hitter, he has actually hit southpaws better in 2012 (.261 vs. .258 against RHP). He has also appeared in 66 games this season at first base and has spent time at left field in 16 games.
Anderson has appeared in 48 total games with the Red Sox from 2010 to 2012. His highest prospect rating came prior to 2009 when Baseball America tabbed him as the No. 17 prospect in all of baseball.
To complete the deal, the Indians traded away Steven Wright, who is in the midst of a breakout season at Double-A Akron. In 20 starts, the 27-year-old Wright has a 2.49 ERA with the Aeros in 115 2/3 innings pitched. Wright relies heavily on the knuckleball, which could be another reason he was attractive to the Red Sox as they may have found a replacement to their legendary knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.
Steve can be reached via email at orbaneks@gmail.com.
User Comments
Rob
August 1, 2012 - 11:09 AM EDT
Glad you see it that way as well Tony. What would of been the harm in bringing Wright up for a few AAA starts to see how the knuckler played? So scared to do any out of the box moves, which is exactly what they need with the economic disparities. They are rarely aggressive with promotions and way too slow to drop dead weight. Now Cunningham will be taking atbats from people in Columbus. Last offseason's disaster will set this franchise back 3-4 years or more if CA and MS are involved.
Tony
August 1, 2012 - 11:06 AM EDT
Lowe's replacement will be one of Tomlin, Huff or Gomez. Personally, I'd go with Gomez. Soto is not a ML option right now, and neither is Wright. Both are more options for next year.
anonymous
August 1, 2012 - 11:02 AM EDT
Just read that Tomlin is being moved to the pen and Kluber is going to start in his place. With that info this deal makes no senses unless the Indians are planing to leave Hernandez in AAA for more than just a few starts. So who is the permanent replacement Lowe, Tomlin, Soto? It would have been nice if it was Wright?
Tony
August 1, 2012 - 10:24 AM EDT
I don't know what to think about this move. I get that they are maybe trying to get an undervalued guy in Anderson that is blocked in Boston....but man, the timing of this move was absolutely terrible. The team has big league needs and all they did was complete this minor trade. I agree with whoever said they could have just waited a day or so and done this the first week of August. What a slap in the face to the fans. I'm also not so sure I was ready to give up on Steven Wright, a guy who may have some ML value and has a gimmick pitch in the knuckleball that has gotten rave reviews. I just don't get it.
Rich
July 31, 2012 - 10:35 PM EDT
This guy doesn't sound as good as Jordan Brown, while Wright at least had potential major league value. Not only a bad trade, but poor PR. Minor league trades can happen anytime. They didn't have to do this today. It was a slap in the face to all of us avid Tribe fans.
Seth
July 31, 2012 - 8:31 PM EDT
Of course he is, Shy. Seems to be their specialty. At what point do they have a need for this guy? The fact that he's a lefty pretty much ensures he has no place in their lineup ever. The fact that he isn't even at the level of a Laporta, Duncan, Canzler or Goedert in AAA pretty much ensures he's never going to make an impact in the majors with anyone, regardless of handedness.
It's like each move is worse than the last one. Impact-wise, obviously he's made more damaging moves (and non-moves), but head-scratching wise, this one takes the prize. In what universe does Anderson have more potential than Wright? Anderson looks like he's on a track to be out of baseball in a year. Wright is moving in the other direction. I'd like to say I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and that maybe they saw something in Anderson ... but I gave them that with Ubaldo, Slowey, Sizemore and Willingham.
I want to have hope for this team next year, if they just get ONE good bat and get some guys playing up to their potential, they can win the Central. With Antonetti in charge though, I just don't like our odds. I would expect if he makes any trade, he'll just be shooting himself in the foot again, and since they are unwilling to open up the pocketbook at all for impact free agents, he needs to learn how to built a roster and make smart trades.
It's like each move is worse than the last one. Impact-wise, obviously he's made more damaging moves (and non-moves), but head-scratching wise, this one takes the prize. In what universe does Anderson have more potential than Wright? Anderson looks like he's on a track to be out of baseball in a year. Wright is moving in the other direction. I'd like to say I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and that maybe they saw something in Anderson ... but I gave them that with Ubaldo, Slowey, Sizemore and Willingham.
I want to have hope for this team next year, if they just get ONE good bat and get some guys playing up to their potential, they can win the Central. With Antonetti in charge though, I just don't like our odds. I would expect if he makes any trade, he'll just be shooting himself in the foot again, and since they are unwilling to open up the pocketbook at all for impact free agents, he needs to learn how to built a roster and make smart trades.
shy
July 31, 2012 - 7:36 PM EDT
Word in Pawtucket is Lars is slow-footed, rolls over on breaking balls and hits into a lot of double plays. Has hit into twice as many past 4 years as Matt McBride who is considered slow. Should be right at home in Cleveland... Wright on the other hand, wouldn't be surprised to see him in the Boston rotation at some point next year. The Boston writer quoted Antonetti as justifying trading Wright for Anderson by saying "you have to give value to get value". Well Chris, maybe they taught you that in sports management in college, but what they didn't teach you is how to recognize value. There is a growing body of people in baseball, not to mention fans in Cleveland that are convinced you don't what you're lookin' at.
Marc
July 31, 2012 - 7:13 PM EDT
So a decent minor league pitcher with possible MLB value with his knuckleball......for basically another Matt LaPorta caliber bust player (at least LaPorta produces in the minors I guess....Andersons minor league stats arent even impressive)
GG front office.....no silver lining to this stupid trade
GG front office.....no silver lining to this stupid trade
shy
July 31, 2012 - 7:00 PM EDT
I'm going to agree w Rob. Fire Antonetti and Shapiro and give Sarbaugh or John Farrel their job. I just looked at a scouting report that says Anderson is 523 in current prospect rankings. His minor league numbers are not as good as another 1B/LF McBride- the player thrown in w Drew Pomeranz and Alex White for Wildbaldo Jimenez. And he's left handed. And he can't hit the curve ball. Steven Wright is only the number one starter- statistically in the entire Indians system, not like we need starters or anything. And on the verge of breaking out and FUN TO WATCH. Nobody is going to go to the Jake to watch Lars Anderson flailing helplessly at sliders. But they would go to watch the knuckleballer. Antonetti is weird and doesn't know baseball, and that's the best I can say about him. I would say his pay check should be docked, but something tells me he likes pain.
Dino S.
July 31, 2012 - 6:36 PM EDT
Come on guys, think, there has been a hole at first since Beau Mills was traded. They need one more 1st baseman for a Sunday Beer League. The real trick is going to be getting at bats for LaPorta, Anderson,Canzier and Rottino.
J
July 31, 2012 - 6:22 PM EDT
sounds like Andy LaPorta 2.0
Dennis
July 31, 2012 - 6:10 PM EDT
I do not like this trade at all La Porta II for Wakeffield II. The Red Sox rip off continues. Can we trade Shapiro for their GM that would be a good deal.
TradeGrady
July 31, 2012 - 5:58 PM EDT
All the comments are spot on. Determine the event that is at least six sigma out that no other human on the planet would ever do, and whammo, the Tribe Brain Rust implements it!
ROB
July 31, 2012 - 5:39 PM EDT
Baffling as usual. Not sure what else to expect out of these assclowns. Absolutely clueless, can't blame anyone but themselves when they are drawing 5-6000 fans a game. Just fire CA, MS and Acta now. Let Sarbaugh run the whole thing. The guy is a winner and he gets "IT".
The Gambler
July 31, 2012 - 5:24 PM EDT
Hit me. Hit me. Hit me again. Again. Hit me...
Mitch
July 31, 2012 - 5:18 PM EDT
This trade makes no sense at all, Laporta, Canzler, Goedert, and now Anderson. What can they possibly be thinking?
Seth
July 31, 2012 - 5:16 PM EDT
Just what they needed. A left-handed hitting 1st baseman who used to be a prospect and is now struggling in AAA.
I really wonder about Antonetti sometimes. Are they moving Laporta? Where's the room for this guy? My current Clippers AAA-not-really-a-prospect 1b/LF rankings: Fedroff, Goedert, Laporta, Canzler, Anderson.
I really wonder about Antonetti sometimes. Are they moving Laporta? Where's the room for this guy? My current Clippers AAA-not-really-a-prospect 1b/LF rankings: Fedroff, Goedert, Laporta, Canzler, Anderson.
Dennis
July 31, 2012 - 5:08 PM EDT
Just what the Tribe needed... another guy with a history of not being able to hit lefties....smh...
