Thoughts on the near future of the Cleveland Indians…?

I really think the Tribe needs to trade some of their AA and AAA players such as Trevor Crowe and go out and get a middle of the order hitter or a leadoff 2B-man such as Ian Kinsler. If the Indians could add Kinsler, that would seriously impact the lineup for the 2009 season.

LINEUP
1 – Ian Kinsler – 2B
2 – Asdrubal Cabrera – SS
3 – Grady Sizemore – CF
4 – Victor Martinez – C
5 – Ben Francisco – LF
6 – Travis Hafner – DH
7 – Matt LaPorta – 1B
8 – Shin-Soo Choo – RF
9 – Andy Marte – 3B

Notice I don’t have Jhonny Peralta or Ryan Garko in that lineup. I’m hoping they trade Peralta before the deadline and deal Garko in the offseason in order to acquire either bullpen help or a leadoff 2B-man.

Hot prospects on the Indians farm system include 3B-man Wes Hodges and 1B-man Beau Mills. These guys seem like they can swing the bat and possibly contribute in the next 1-2 years.
Kinsler would be tough to get, but guys like Dan Uggla, Orlando Hudson, etc. would be who I’d like.
Another idea would be to go after a player such as LF Juan Pierre as a leadoff man and move Ben Francisco to RF or DH if Hafner is in fact finished.

i dont think the rangers will get rid of kinsler any time soon.