Carrera, 22, has spent the entire 2010 season to date at AAA Tacoma as he has hit .268 (57-213) with 24 runs scored, 6 doubles, 2 triples and 18 RBI in 64 games. He has stolen 9 bases in 14 attempts this season but is currently on the AAA disabled list with a left hip pointer. Before being injured, Carrera was hitting .311 (19-61) with 6 runs scored, 3 doubles and 6 RBI in 18 games during the month of June. Prior to the start of the 2010 season, Carrera was ranked as the 15th best prospect in the Mariners organization by Baseball America.
Last year, the left-handed hitting outfielder won the Southern League Batting title as he hit .337 (111-329) with 68 runs scored, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 2HR and 38RBI in 91 games at AA West Tennessee while being named to both the Southern League All-Star and also the Topps Double-A All-Star team. Carrera also posted a .441 on-base percentage which led the Southern League and was 3rd best in all of minor league baseball. The Venezuelan native was named the best defensive outfielder in the Florida State League in 2008 by Baseball America. Carrera was originally signed by the Mets as a non-drafted free agent in 2005 and will report to AAA Columbus in the coming days.
Diaz, 21, a 6-4, 170-pound switch hitting shortstop, has spent the entire 2010 season to date at High Desert of the California League batting .295 (75-254) with 39 runs scored, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 7HR and 41RBI in 70 games. He has also stolen 8 bases in 10 attempts and has an OPS of .779 (.345 on-base % & .433 slg. %).
Last year, Diaz batted .311 (101-325) with 55 runs scored, 22 doubles, 5 triples, 4HR and 29RBI in 84 games at High Desert as he was named to the California League All-Star Team. The Dominican Republic native was on the disabled list from June 25-August 4th with a fractured hamate in the left hand however came back to finish the season and played for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League. He was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by Seattle in 2006 and will report to Kinston in the coming days.
Branyan was signed by the Indians on February 24th and hit .263 (45-171) with 24 runs scored, 9 doubles, 10HR and 24RBI in 52 games for Cleveland this year.
The Indians will make a roster move prior to tomorrow’s game with the Cincinnati Reds to fill Branyan’s spot on the Major League 25-man roster.
Everything on this site is free, but for those interested in making any monetary contributions to help support the stability and growth of this site please click on the "Donate" button below.
9 comments:
It seems like they got a good return, although I am confused on why they continually go after the same kind of player: athletic, speedy outfielders. Now they have 3 similar players in Crowe, Brantley, and Carrera on a team desperate for power. So they trade their best power hitter for a player they already have. I am happy they got so much for Branyan, and why Seattle wants him is beyond me, but I would think they would want more offense.
Don't forget about Jordan Henry...same mold...and there really is no power in the low minors...
They did get a steal though, but I agree, this is a farm system that lacks punch...
I am glad to find that the Indians found someone willing to send two minor leaguers the Indians way for Branyan..but I'll be curious to see what the cash amount is or the PTBNL is if they go that route.
A needed move by the Tribe to show that they indeed are looking forward after the recent head scratchers that have us all talking. I am HOPING this finally means LaPorta everyday at 1B where he belongs...but I'm not holding my breath. I am waiting to see the corresponding move, but it has to be LaPorta, right??!
LaPorta coming up. I was in the clubhouse last night when it happened. Will have more later today...I am out!
Just saw on the indians official site. LaPorta is up. Yay! Let him play everyday and not in some weird platoon with Shelley Duncan or Andy Marte.
As far as the prospects, I like the sound of the Carrera kid. Does make me think though, that they may be moving Michael Brantley to LF permanately since this Carrera kid is such a great CF defender. Once the Crowe experiment is over and he is back to being viewed as a 4th OF, Carrera hopefully can get a good look in September. He has a strong history of high BABIP and plate discipline with some speed a la Michael Brantley, which as we've already astutely pointed out that we already have. So why another guy who is a CF projection with Sizemore only locked up though 2011? Are we already working on the replacements?
The talent acquired seems similar to the position players drafted this year, i.e., toolsy and athletic. While Carrera doesn't appear to have much power, Diaz appears to have a body that he can grow into, with power potential. And notwithstanding the resurrection of Rodriguez, we still need more middle infield depth.
As I mentioned in my "Minor Happenings" comments, I'm not convinced that LaPorta is fully recovered from his hip operation. Following his first 3 games with Columbus, LaPorta's power has been pretty much non-existent. My guess is that he either still needs a periodic day off to rest the hip, or just needs additional time. So don't be surprised if the power is lacking or inconsistent upon his return to the lineup.
Seattle is not a contender, either, so why would they want Branyan? He played there last year, so if they wanted him, they could have re-signed before the start of the season. This leads me to think they have an even better deal for Branyan, or maybe include him in a Cliff Lee deal to sweeten the pot for better prospects.
That said, I never understood why the Indians signed Branyan in the first place. Obviously, he wasn't part of the future and wasn't going to bring a lot in trade, so all he did was take AB's from LaPorta. I wish him the best, but am glad he's gone and now let's find out what LaPorta can do.
I finally have a chance to put a post-trade piece together which will explain some things. Gotta say, from what I have heard, Seattle surprised the entire industry as no one saw this deal coming as everyone thought they would be sellers not buyers. I have not talked to the Indians yet, will later today, but I am hearing they are very happy to get anything for Branyan.
The Branyan signing was odd at the time....but I have to say in hindsight they made the right move. As we saw with laPorta struggling we, we had nothing else to play there, and he turned out to be a good bridge to the gap at the position I think....plus he played well and we got something for 2-plus months of his service.
Post a Comment