Bye Bye Broussard

[Solair Wright]

Ben Broussard has been traded to the Seattle Mariners for OF Shin-Soo Chin. This move ultimately moves poor CASBA (catcher stolen bases allowed) catcher Victor Martinez to first base. Here come the questions. Shoppach is now our catcher? Will the Indians suffer a losing season? Will Victor be able to handle first base? Who will be gone after July 31? Just so many questions before the season is over.

[BoofBonser26]

Here's what I read in MLB.com.

Against lefties:
RF Blake
1B Martinez
C Shoppach

Against righties:
RF Choo
1B Blake
C Martinez

In a sense, the Indians will be platooning Shoppach and Choo.

I like this trade (as of right now, of course). Choo is supposed to be good and Broussard had no future in Cleveland, now that Martinez is moving to first.

[Erik Bedard]

I'm not liking this deal for Cleveland. Not at all.

[ichiro262]

As a M's fan, I think the move has the potential to be pretty good (not great, though) for both teams. This is a fair warning to Cleveland fans: When the M's brought up Choo for a bit after Reed suffered an injury he was awful. The only thing he had going for him was a good arm. He's young, so it's not like he won't get better, but still. Broussard will probably help the M's immediately as their lefty DH/1B if Sexson wants to DH. In the end, I don't think it will be monumental for either team. But, as I see it right now, the M's gotta the better deal.

[leecemark]

--Cleveland fans, here is a scouting report on what you can expect from Choo. He should be a decent hitter for average (although he hasn't shown that in previous brief trials), but lacks the power you want from a corner outfielder. He has decent speed and a strong arm, but absolutely horrible instincts in the outfield. He can't play CF and will be adequete at best in the corners. He might be an okay platoon outfielder once he gets adjusted to the majors, but you are not getting a star or probably even a guy you really want out there everyday.
--What should be expect from Broussard (other than good pop vs RHP)? Can he play the field very well? Does he run okay for a 1B?

[BoofBonser26]

Originally Posted by leecemark

--What should be expect from Broussard (other than good pop vs RHP)? Can he play the field very well? Does he run okay for a 1B?

Prior to '06, Broussard was a gold-glove first baseman. He struggled a bit this year, but I think some of that was due to platooning for the first time in his career. He runs okay for a 1B. Expect great reaches and scoops on wild throws to first. He can get to most all of 'em. But I'm reading that he'll be the RH DH...which seems odd to me.

[BoofBonser26]

Originally Posted by Erik Bedard

I'm not liking this deal for Cleveland. Not at all.

Actually, I think it's fine. The Indians didn't have room for Broussard anymore, and I think they got what he's worth in return. Like all trades, we'll have to wait and see, but I think it's fine.

Remember, we also get a player-to-be-named. They're usually throw-ins, but Coco Crisp was a PTBNL.

[ichiro262]

Originally Posted by BoofBonser26

Remember, we also get a player-to-be-named. They're usually throw-ins, but Coco Crisp was a PTBNL.

Good point.

[leecemark]

Originally Posted by BoofBonser26

Prior to '06, Broussard was a gold-glove first baseman. He struggled a bit this year, but I think some of that was due to platooning for the first time in his career. He runs okay for a 1B. Expect great reaches and scoops on wild throws to first. He can get to most all of 'em. But I'm reading that he'll be the RH DH...which seems odd to me.

--He'll be the DH vs RHP with Eduardo Perez (who we got from you guys a few weeks ago) DHing vs LHP. Richie Sexson is our everyday 1B, although there are rumors he may be traded.

[Erik Bedard]

Maybe it's just because I overvalue defense, but I think Broussard could start for at least half the teams in the majors.

[sschirmer]

Broussard can't hit lefties. As far as I'm concerned, he was fine when platooning with Perez, but with Victor getting more PT at first, it was time for Ben to go. He'll fit in well, playing guitar in some Seattle coffee house.

[ACrank]

Broussard's defense was overrated.

I have read some questionable things on Choo (it really is amazing what you can find just by googling) but he seems to have the tools - i think he and Gutierrez will probbly end up platooning somewhere in the OF

[sschirmer]

Let's not forget that Choo gives us a more than ample replacement for any Broooooo or Booooone chants that we'll be missing next year.

[papa~smurf]

Haha, so how is Choo working out for you guys? It looks like he has become somewhat of a fan favorite over there.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Come on, reality check, Indians totally lost out on this deal.
Choo is a career minor-league with below average pop.

He's not a great fielder either.

Broussard for Rene Rivera or some other catcher would have been better.

[ACrank]

LOL!!! Stick to following Wilkerson - the Indians traded a platoon 1b for a player who was stuck in the Seattle system and who is a much better defensive outfielder than advertised and who seems to be able to hit lefty pitching....

The Indians are making out on this deal to date.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Originally Posted by ACrank

LOL!!! Stick to following Wilkerson - the Indians traded a platoon 1b for a player who was stuck in the Seattle system and who is a much better defensive outfielder than advertised and who seems to be able to hit lefty pitching....

The Indians are making out on this deal to date.

Are you seriously suggesting Cleveland won out on this deal?

Broussard, sure he's a platoon 1B, but he still is a decent fielder and can hit.
Choo is a decent fielder as well, but, that's it! Choo's not a great hitter and believe it or not is a minor-leaguer.

[BoofBonser26]

Originally Posted by wilkerson_rulz-06

Choo's not a great hitter and believe it or not is a minor-leaguer.

Every guy is a minor-leaguer before he makes the majors.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Originally Posted by BoofBonser26

Every guy is a minor-leaguer before he makes the majors.

He's a career minor-leaguer

[Erik Bedard]

I have to agree with Wilk on this one, Choo isn't anywhere near as good as Broussard. And Choo isn't getting any younger.

[moebarguy]

Choo's minor league stats are pretty good...He seems like the type of guy that can hit .280, 15+ HR and steal 20+ bases

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Originally Posted by moebarguy

Choo's minor league stats are pretty good...He seems like the type of guy that can hit .280, 15+ HR and steal 20+ bases

Yeah, sure, that .285 and 15 HR I don't believe.

What he is, is Endy Chavez before 2006 and that's not a good thing, or the current Marlon Byrd.

[moebarguy]

Well, we don't know what he'll do, but based on his minor league stats, he looks like he'll be a solid player in the bigs...and hey, Marlon Byrd had fantastic minor league stats and was considered to be a big prospect - ya never know

[ACrank]

Originally Posted by wilkerson_rulz-06

Are you seriously suggesting Cleveland won out on this deal?

Broussard, sure he's a platoon 1B, but he still is a decent fielder and can hit.
Choo is a decent fielder as well, but, that's it! Choo's not a great hitter and believe it or not is a minor-leaguer.

Trouble is - all Broussard is ever going to be is a platoon 1b - his defense is overrated and he had a great year offensively - but again its as a platoon 1b...Choo is hitting quite well, is a bit younger, and can actually play either corner OF position quite well....

yeah, it hink the Indians won out on both deals with the Mariners (at the time the deals were made i read something that suggested Choo and Cabrera were pieces the Mariners could use to flip for a starting pitcher - instead they got a platoon at Dh....)

now its possible the Mariners could win out on their part of the deal - but Broussard is arby eligible and will probably get awarded a decent contract based on his one year

yeah the Indians did fine on both deals with the Mariners....

but calling Choo a career minor leaguer? come on kid - thats just a little overdone - Jason Dubois is a career minor leaguer - Choo was bured in the Mariners system and is doing fine in Cleveland

i know small sample size and all of that, but are these the stats of a career minor leaguer?

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...ians/stats.htm

[ACrank]

Originally Posted by Erik Bedard

I have to agree with Wilk on this one, Choo isn't anywhere near as good as Broussard. And Choo isn't getting any younger.

Huh? Well of course not - Broussard does have a bit more major league experience you know....

Geez this was a weird comment.