Indians Claim Drew Sutton

[RedsManRick]

Didn't see this elsewhere: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/08/indians-claim-drew-sutton.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter


Indians Claim Drew Sutton
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [August 6, 2010 at 2:37pm CST]
The Indians claimed Drew Sutton off of waivers from the Reds and optioned him to Triple A Columbus, according to both clubs on Twitter. Sutton, 27, appeared in two major league games this year and 42 games last year, but most of his pro career has come in the minors.

He has a career OPS of .810 in the minor leagues, including a .262/.366/.365 line so far in 2010. Even though he has just 291 big league plate appearances, Sutton has already played second, third, short and both corner outfield positions for the Reds.

The Indians have been watching the waiver wire all week; they lost Wes Hodges to the Rockies Tuesday, only to re-claim him yesterday.

[JaxRed]

So we're making room for somone

[camisadelgolf]

dp

[camisadelgolf]

It's interesting that Walt Jocketty gives up so many players on waivers. He never seems to claim anyone for the Reds. The only player he has claimed is Andy Phillips, and the Reds later lost him on waivers, too.

Andy Phillips (claimed by New York Mets)
Marcus McBeth (claimed by Boston Red Sox)
Todd Coffey (claimed by Milwaukee Brewers)
Ramon Ramirez (claimed by Tampa Bay Rays)
Craig Tatum (claimed by Baltimore Orioles)
Pedro Viola (claimed by Baltimore Orioles)
Drew Sutton (claimed by Cleveland Indians)

[GOYA]

It's interesting that Walt Jocketty gives up so many players on waivers.

With the talent the Reds have in the majors and AAA, it's unlikely Walt would ever see anyone worth claiming. And with that wealth of talent, losing a guy like Sutton isn't much of a loss.

So now Sutton switches from a hunter to the prey. Columbus will have a very difficult time maintaining a lead on the Bats.

I can see Sappelt coming up from Carolina.

[batsfan]

I can see Sappelt coming up from Carolina.

I can see Stubbs coming down after Dickerson returns, and Costanzo or Negron up from AA. If Sappelt comes up, the bats have only one guy who can play backup infield, Michael Griffin, and he is our centerfielder until Dickerson comes back.

[GOYA]

I can see Stubbs coming down after Dickerson returns, and Costanzo or Negron up from AA. If Sappelt comes up, the bats have only one guy who can play backup infield, Michael Griffin, and he is our centerfielder until Dickerson comes back.

But Griffin wouldn't be our CF if Sappelt comes up.

It could be Terrero too.

We may need two Mudcats if Dickerson goes up.

[camisadelgolf]

I'm just reading between the lines here, but this move actually goes a long way toward letting Zack Cozart and/or Chris Valaika making the major league roster out of spring training. Both Kris Negron and Jake Kahaulelio will likely get promoted from Chattanooga, and it would be difficult to find enough playing time between two teams for Valaika, Cozart, Janish, Negron, Kahaulelio, and anyone else they're likely to bring in.

[RedsManRick]

Could Grandal be looking for a spot on the 40 man?

[batsfan]

But Griffin wouldn't be our CF if Sappelt comes up.

It could be Terrero too.

We may need two Mudcats if Dickerson goes up.

If Dickerson comes up, it would probably be Stubbs who comes down, so he can get playing time, and break out of his slump in time for a September call up, so another Mudcat would not have to be called up. I hope Sappelt, but I think it will be Terrero if it is an outfielder, as the Reds have shown a extreme reluctance to promote young position players from AA this year. In fact there only has been one position player who has made their AAA debut this year, Zach Cozart, and he was on the Bats playoff roster last year, though he did not play. Alonso was on the playoff roster and did play, so he did not really make his AAA debut this year.

[camisadelgolf]

Could Grandal be looking for a spot on the 40 man?
I'm sure he'd like it, but I really doubt his agent's pushing for it. I haven't seen anything suggesting that he's requiring it. When it was thought to be a sure thing that Grandal would go to the Royals with the fourth pick, he was expected to sign for around $3M (although some reports said he was expecting about $6M). Because he dropped all the way to the Reds at #12, it'll be interesting to see how far above slot he'd require to sign.

[mth123]

If Dickerson comes up, it would probably be Stubbs who comes down, so he can get playing time, and break out of his slump in time for a September call up, so another Mudcat would not have to be called up. I hope Sappelt, but I think it will be Terrero if it is an outfielder, as the Reds have shown a extreme reluctance to promote young position players from AA this year. In fact there only has been one position player who has made their AAA debut this year, Zach Cozart, and he was on the Bats playoff roster last year, though he did not play. Alonso was on the playoff roster and did play, so he did not really make his AAA debut this year.

I'm not expert and am not close to the situation, but it seems like the Bats will get two players soon.

1. Dickerson to the Reds to fill the 40 man spot vacated by Sutton and Stubbs to the bats to get him going for a couple weeks.

2. Sutton is probably replaced by an organizational guy who wouldn't be impacted by a lack of PT. I'm guessing Eric Eymann to the Bats bench or something along those lines.

Sappelt probably stays getting regular ABs in AA, while the Bats OF would have Dorn, Stubbs and Balentien most nights. The Bats IF of Alonso, Valaika, Cozart and Frazier would stay intact. The catching tandem of Miller and Denove as well. The team would have three good bench types in Castillo, Griffin and Eymann as it pushes for the play-offs.

If the Reds recall Stubbs at some point prior to Aug 31, I'm guessing Francisco will come down and then we may see Sappelt to AAA. Just a hunch.

[cinreds21]

I'm just reading between the lines here, but this move actually goes a long way toward letting Zack Cozart and/or Chris Valaika making the major league roster out of spring training. Both Kris Negron and Jake Kahaulelio will likely get promoted from Chattanooga, and it would be difficult to find enough playing time between two teams for Valaika, Cozart, Janish, Negron, Kahaulelio, and anyone else they're likely to bring in.

Carolina.

The only reason they did this, from what I can understand, is to make room for Dickerson, who's on the 60-day disabled list.
Kahau is a prospect, Negron really isn't. He's a great clubhouse guy and great glove but I don't really see it happening. I could be wrong though.

[camisadelgolf]

Carolina.

The only reason they did this, from what I can understand, is to make room for Dickerson, who's on the 60-day disabled list.
Kahau is a prospect, Negron really isn't. He's a great clubhouse guy and great glove but I don't really see it happening. I could be wrong though.
Hah! I can't believe I did that. I was looking at Chattanooga's team page as I typed that.

[batsfan]

2. Sutton is probably replaced by an organizational guy who wouldn't be impacted by a lack of PT. I'm guessing Eric Eymann to the Bats bench or something along those lines.

Nice call, Eyemann has been promoted to Aaa today

[RED VAN HOT]

The only reason they did this, from what I can understand, is to make room for Dickerson, who's on the 60-day disabled list.
Kahau is a prospect, Negron really isn't. He's a great clubhouse guy and great glove but I don't really see it happening. I could be wrong though.

I had not considered either one a prospect. Your post, however, prompted me to take another look. Negron was drafted 7th in 2006 (Boston) as compared to 20th in 2007 for JK. Negron is a little younger and plays a more challenging position (apparently well, at that). He is also showing a little pop this year with 9 HR. What got my attention, however, was the stolen base count for Negron. He is a consistent 30+ guy with 31 so far this year.

[camisadelgolf]

I had not considered either one a prospect. Your post, however, prompted me to take another look. Negron was drafted 7th in 2006 (Boston) as compared to 20th in 2007 for JK. Negron is a little younger and plays a more challenging position (apparently well, at that). He is also showing a little pop this year with 9 HR. What got my attention, however, was the stolen base count for Negron. He is a consistent 30+ guy with 31 so far this year.
I don't know the story for Kahaulelio falling so far in the draft, but I know a few scouts who had him slated as a fifth- or sixth-round talent the year he was drafted.

[cinreds21]

Jake is a great player. He has had a horrible slump though. When I said prospect, I meant more so as he should be protected on the 40 this year.

[JaxRed]

I don't see either Negron or Jake being protected in Rule 5.

[cinreds21]

I don't see either Negron or Jake being protected in Rule 5.

No way for Negron but Jake was a Double-A All-Star and had a .280 average before going into this horrific slump. It's going to be interesting.

[camisadelgolf]

I don't see either Negron or Jake being protected in Rule 5.
Who else would they protect?

[mth123]

I prefer Negron to Jake. Jake is a poor man's Valaika and is really deep on the chart. Negron may be a long shot but he can ably play a premium position and has a legit plus, plus tool with his speed. I'm not much for the running game, but I would think that has more value.

[cinreds21]

Who else would they protect?

There was a list of Rule V guys but I couldn't find it. I'd say Mes, Carroll, Jake. If someone could find the list I could be more accurate.

[mth123]

There was a list of Rule V guys but I couldn't find it. I'd say Mes, Carroll, Jake. If someone could find the list I could be more accurate.

Mesoraco, Cozart and Frazier would be the top three that need to be added before rule 5

[cinreds21]

That's right. I was totally drawing a blank. lol

Mes
Cozy
Frazier
Carroll
Jake

That's my list. I might be missing a guy who's in Lynchburg but not totally sure.

[HokieRed]

No way for Negron but Jake was a Double-A All-Star and had a .280 average before going into this horrific slump. It's going to be interesting.

I like them both, but I'm not a bit worried they'll be taken in the Rule 5 draft. The action's almost completely about pitchers. There's simply not much incentive for a team to take a guy who's no farther along than Negron or Jake. The guy's got to stay on the 25 man roster all year, and that limits a team's flexibility for the whole year. Teams will do that for a pitcher, but if they need a middle infielder, there are too many other ways to get one and keep the flexibility.

[cinreds21]

I just, for some reason, think Jake's gonna get protected. People (on another forum) thought I was crazy last off-season for saying that Ondrusek and Valiquette would be protected and I was right then.
Watch me be wrong this time lol

[dougdirt]

I just, for some reason, think Jake's gonna get protected. People (on another forum) thought I was crazy last off-season for saying that Ondrusek and Valiquette would be protected and I was right then.
Watch me be wrong this time lol

Valiquette and Ondrusek had a reason to be protected though. Both had real good arms and Ondrusek had incredible numbers. The two guys here just aren't special. Neither guy would get a sniff on a Rule Five pick at this point in time unless one of them shows off a 90+ MPH fastball between now and the end of the season.