Indians should trade Brantley

So Brantley's shoulder is more messed up then the Tribe let on and they rushed him back and now he's probably out until August. So here goes my most likely very unpopular take.

Here is what I don't know;
1. When Brantley will comeback from this injury.
2. If he will hit or field like Brantley when he does come back.
3. If he will ever be the same player.

Here is what I do know;
1. Brantley is 29 years old, along with the main core of the team Kipnis, Santana, Kluber, Carrasco, Chisenhall, Gomes, Allen, Shaw, Tomlin are all 28-31. Basically the youth is Salazar, Bauer and Lindor (throw in Naquin if you will).
2. Four of the 9 guys in the everyday lineup are likely not on the team next season. (Napoli/Davis/Uribe on 1 year deals, Santana has a $12 million dollar club option. And this team can't afford to pay him $12 to DH and hit .230 with 20 home runs). The window of opportunity is 2016.
3. The team is currently in first place but could use another OF and bullpen arm. Possibly even a catcher if Gomes doesn't get it together.
4. Michael Brantley is the most valuable trade asset the Indians can make available.

That 4th thing is what I want to focus on...
Brantley is not the most valuable trade chip the Indians have, because you could probably trade Lindor straight up for about 95% of the league. You could probably get any expiring contract you want for Salazar. And Zimmer and Frazier are big time prospects that could bring in return. However Brantley's value to the 2016 Indians is lower than any of those guys mentioned earlier. To the 2017 and 2018 Indians we don't know, but we do know he will be 30 and coming off a lost season due to shoulder surgery.

It's an interesting task to find a partner. Brantley is owed 9.3M next season. So a team in complete rebuild isn't going to want him and a team thats currently contending is in the same boat as the Indians. You don't want to trade him in division. But there are plenty of teams that might be interesting for 2017 as they retool.

What about the Yankees (26-30, 6.5 games out of the East, 5 game out of a Wild Card). Would they take Brantley for Beltran and Chapman? They might be able to prospects for those guys, but why not get a sure thing ready to play on Opening Day in 2017, instead of waiting 4 years and hoping you were right?

Or the Angels (26-30 8 back in the West, 5 back of a WC). Would they take Brantley for Kole Calhoun and a reliever? Brantley is certainly better than Calhoun when healthy, but Calhoun would help the Indians in June and July of 2016.

And the Cardinals (30-27, only half a game back of the Wild Card, but 10 back of the Cubs). Would they risk a chance at the 1 game playoff to save $10 million and pay 29 year old Brantley 9.3M next year instead of 36 year old Matt Holliday $17 million (of course they'd have to thrown in Siegrist or Rosenthal)? The Pirates are in a similar boat.

And those are just the teams that could instantly compete in 2017 with one of these moves.

Everyone will say; don't mortgage the future. Trading a 29 year old isn't mortgaging the future, it's sub-letting the future. We know what Michael Brantley is right now. We don't know what he will be over the next 2 seasons. Nor do we know what the Indians will be over the next two seasons. There is always next year, but THIS YEAR is the year to win and a Brantley move is a great way to make it happen.

Group G: The Group of Death

Group G: Germany, Ghana, USA, Portugal

HOW THEY FINISH:
Germany 2-0-1 7 PTS
USA 1-0-2 5 PTS
Portugal 1-1-1 4 PTS
Ghana 0-3-0 0 PTS

When the group was announced, it was doom and gloom for the Americans. Ghana, the team that has knocked them out the past two World Cups, Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo and Germany, one of the best teams in the world. The media has turned Ghana into a great story line, but hasn't said anything about what Ghana have. What they have is a team that is much older than 4 years ago, a team who's top striker went from Sunderland to World Soccer Power Al Ain FC (in the United Arab Emirates) and three very inexperienced goalkeepers. Portugal is a one man show. Germany are an extremely talented team, but does any one know that team better than the US's Head Coach. It's a tough group of course, but it's very possible.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Miroslav Klose (GER) - Klose could break the all time World Cup scoring record

Thomas Mueller (GER) - 4 years ago, Mueller won the Golden Boot and was named Best Young Player, scary thing is he was only 20. Now at 24 and with a World Cup under his belt, he could be the man that wins the whole cup for the Die Mannschaft

Michael Bradley (USA) - Long considered undeserving of his role on the US team, Bradley is now the type of player who could likely start for at least 75% of the teams in this World Cup. Given a more attacking role out of the midfield, Bradley will be crucial to the US success.

Jozy Altidore (USA) - The striker has been out of form for nearly a year, but two goals against Nigeria may have gotten his confidence going.

Fabian Johnson (USA) - The world will know who Fabian Johnson is at the end of the next 10 days. He attacks out of the back unlike any other American defender has ever done.

Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) - Obvious names department

Joao Moutinhio (POR) - Somebody besides CR7 is going to have to do something for the Portuguese to advance. Moutinho can dictate play a lot like the Italians look for in Andrea Pirlo.

Jordan Ayew (GHA) - A popular name in the headlines recently, Ayew netted a hat trick for Ghana in their final tuneup before the World Cup against South Korea.

Asamoah Gyan (GHA) - If Jurgen Klinsmann were the head coach at Ghana, nothing about the past 4 years would have put Gyan on the squad, let alone made him captain. He left the EPL to join El Ain (where he has scored 59 goals in 47 games), after a missing a penalty in South Africa, and missing another huge PK in the African Cup of Nations, he took a "sabbatical." Remind you of anyone?

Group E and F: When Vacation Lets You Down

Yesterday I posted the following on Facebook...
Not gonna get a blog post out before the games start today but here's a quick synopsis of what they would say.
Group E: France and Honduras (CONCACAF Bandwagon); Benzema and Pogba (FRA) Espinosa and Garrido (HON) Shaqiri (SUI), Montero and Valencia (ECU)
Group F: Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina (unfair that there are 5 countries in this group)
Messi, Aguero (ARG) Dzeko (B&H), Obi Mikel and Moses (NIG), Dejagah (IRN)

Let me expand on it quickly and then we can move on to Group G!

Group E: France, Honduras, Switzerland, Ecuador

HOW THEY FINISH:
France: 3-0-0 9 PTS
Honduras 1-1-1 4 PTS (Advance on Goal Differential)
Switzerland 1-1-1 4 PTS
Ecuador 0-0-3 0 PTS

France are the class of the group, but then again. France historically struggle when they are the class of the Group re: 2010, 2002. Common sense says Honduras has no chance, but Ecuador have not won a game outside of Quito since 2012, the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa is 9,127 feet above sea level (or 7/10 of a mile higher than Mile High Stadium). And the Swiss qualified out of the easiest group in all Confederations combined.


Group F Argentina, Nigeria, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina

HOW THEY FINISH:
Argentina 3-0-0 9 PTS
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1-1 4 PTS
Nigeria 0-1-2 2 PTS
Iran 0-2-1 1 PT

What should be a cake walk for the Argentines, is certainly a close race for 2nd place and could come down to how close the teams play against La Albiceleste. Bosnia has the slight edge over Nigeria, because I think Misimovic to Dzeko is stronger than Obi Mikel to Moses. Iran, another team just happy to be there.

Group D: Group of Death Jr.

These Headers are harder to make than the Post itself. I'll work on it, but for now just enjoy my brilliant writing ability.

Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, Italy, England

HOW THEY FINISH:
Italy 2-0-1 7 PTS
England 1-0-2 5 PTS
Uruguay 0-1-2 2 PTS
Costa Rica 0-2-1 1 PT

Luis Suarez is unlikely to be able to play tomorrow, which really hurts Uruguay's chances to advance. While they may not need him against Costa Rica, the Ticos are not as bad as people think. Let's not forget it to a snow storm for the US to edge out a 1-0 victory at home over the 2nd place finishers in CONCACAF. The loss of Suarez in that particular game in which Uruguay MUST take 3 points, really benefits Italy and England. Italy is a team deep enough and experienced enough that might be able to win this tournament (they are one of maybe 4 teams that I actually think can win it). This team is built an awful lot like the 2006 Champions, but with better strikers. England are England.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Wayne Rooney (ENG) - From the obvious names department, it's Wayne Rooney.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (ENG) - Everyone quick to point to the youngster Luke Shaw (just 18), but if a young player is going to make a difference for the Three Lions this go around, it will be Chamberlain (20). The midfielder loves to shoot from distance and is a strong dribbler, with size that makes him very hard to dispossess.

Daniel Sturridge (ENG) - Sturridge makes his World Cup debut, coming off a phenomenal club season which saw him score 21 goal. The 24 year old is inexperienced on the International Level, but dont think that will stop him.

Luis Suarez (URU) - Sturridge's 21 goals were second only to his club teammate at Liverpool, Luis Suarez. Even if Suarez can't get on the pitch he'll be exciting to watch, because he might bite somebody.

Edinson Cavani (URU) - If Sturridhe is out, a lot will rest on the shoulders of Cavani. Diego Forlan can't carry the team like he did in 2010, and will likely be relegated to substitute duties.

Keylor Navas (CRC) - Costa Rica finished CONCACAF qualifying with the best defense allowing only 7 goals in the 10 games Hexagonal. Goalkeeper, Keylor Navas deserves a lot of credit, in a group full of World Class Keepers (Joe Hart, Gianluigi Buffon) he fits right in.

Andrea Pirlo (ITA) - Il architetto (the architect), there may not be a better distributor of the ball at the tournament. Pirlo has aged with grace, now 35, but still a maestro in the center midfield.

Mario Balotelli (ITA) - Though there will be no clever undershirts in Brazil, the oft in the news Balotelli is surprisingly graceful for a guy who is 6'2. The striker puts speed, agility, strength and exquisite technical ability into a complete package, however the mental pillar may not always be there.

Lorenzo Isigne (ITA) - If Insigne and Balotelli are paired up top together it will look like a scene out of My Giant, Insigne is 5'4 (and you thought Messi was short) but extremely creative and fast.

GAME OF THE GROUP:
England vs Uruguay: The second game of group play for both teams, could likely be a return for Suarez against a team full of players he's seen every week for the past few seasons. If both teams draw in their openers (which I predict), Uruguay will be forced to go after it, facing an Italian squad that plays very tough defense. Should be an open match with plenty of star power and attacking.

Group C: Old Dogs, Old Tricks

Group C: Colombia, Greece, Japan, Cote D'Ivoire

HOW THEY FINISH:
Cote D'Ivoire 1-0-2 5PTS
Japan 1-1-1 4 PTS
Colombia 1-1-1 4 PTS
Greece 1-2 3 PTS

In what is quite possibly the most wide open group in the whole tournament a lot of defensive tactics and low scoring games will be in store. Greece is known for their defensive tactics and boring soccer. Ivory Coast have one of the best midifelders in the world right now, Japan always have the potential to overachieve. But the biggest story in the group is a World Cup return for Colombia after a 16 year drought, having made it back World Cup for the first time since 1998. Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers) earned a Top 8 seed and this is a dream group for them, but they will not be able to overcome the loss of their star striker, Monaco man, Radamel Falcao.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Keisuke Honda (JAP) -  To the left a quick refresher from the 2010 World Cup, on what Honda can do on set pieces.

Shinji Kagawa (JAP) - The Manchester United man,  is a creative clinical passer out of the mdifield and became the first Asian to score a hat trick in the EPL back in 2013.

Didier Drogba (CIV) -  Drogba still has it,  even at 36, the man who scored 100 goals for Chelsea in his career has 65 in his international career.

Yaya Toure (CIV) - Quite possibly the worlds best all-around midfielder. Toure's fitness is in queston after he suffered a knock in his final premier league game, and could loom large over the Les Elephants chances.

Lacina Traore (CIV) - Traore is 6'8 (that's an inch taller than Kawhi Leonard), that's reason enough to watch the striker especially against a bunch of 5'9 defenders from Japan.

Faryd Mondragon (COL) - Mondragon was Colombia's #1 keeper last time they made the World Cu (16 years ago if you read up above), now 42, he would be the oldest player ever in a World Cup. Group C features the 3 oldest players on rosters (and Drogba who is 7th).

James Rodriguez (COL) - Someone has to take Radamel Falcao's place and Colombia will look to 22 year old James Rodriguez, often called "the Valderrama of this era." Rodriguez plays in France at Monaco, so we don't hear from him much, but he should be mentioned with the likes of Oscar, Eden Hazard, Kagawa and Thomas Muller.

Jesse Katsopolis (GRE) - The Greeks are so boring to watch, I suggest three reruns of Full House during their matches. Though you'll need 4 episodes, if you choose to fast forward through the commercials.


GAME OF THE GROUP:
Japan vs Colombia - Once again this is the third game for both teams, and very likely will decide who moves on. Both teams could be looking for victories which could make for an exciting attack minded game, with a lot of players we don't get to see every day.

Group B: Finals Rematch

Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia

HOW THEY FINISH:
Spain 2-0-1 7 PTS (finishes first via goal differential)
Netherlands 2-0-1 7 PTS
Chile 0-2-1 1 PT
Australia 0-2-1 1 PT

 

A quick little reminder of what happened 4 years ago.

If you are expecting an exciting game tomorrow afternoon in a rematch of the 2010 Final, Spain vs Netherlands don't get your hopes up. A draw for these two teams is exactly what the doctor ordered, though one of them will have to play Brazil in the first stage of the knockout round, I expect both to go for big numbers against Chile and Australia, not against eachother. As for those two teams, neither can be to excited about landing here. I can't see Australia getting out of any group with the squad they have this go around, but Chile might have felt they could have done better in their home continent.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Alexis Sanchez (CHI) - The Barcelona man scores a goal every three games for Chile, but one goal in three games isn't going to be enough if they want to get out of this group.

Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin Van Persie (NET) - The trio of 30 year olds, have 259 caps and 92 goals amongst them.

Bruno Martins-Indi (NET) - In 2010 the Netherlands featured a strong veteran defense with a bunch of attackers in their prime. Now the attack is aging and the defense is very inexperienced. The 8 defenders on the squad average less than 12 caps. The 22 year old Martins Indi will be at the forefront of the
Oranje defense, but also large contributor to the "Total Football" style of attack.

Tim Cahill (AUS) - This may be the last hurrah for the Australians, a squad that in 2010 featured 9 players over 30 and the next generation just isn't there. Cahill, who has retired to the MLS since his work with Everton, will be the main scoring threat for the Socceroos, who might have to be happy with just being there.

I already used this with Brazil, but do you really need to know who to watch for Spain? They won the World Cup in 2010, they won the European championship in 2012, the roster features 23 players that played in the Champions League last season. For pure entertainment value watch Juan Mata try to play defense, a lot like Sasha Pavlovic "his offense is his defense." Unlike Sasha Pavlovic he's an incredible offensive talent.

Group A: Brazil and the others

GROUP A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon

HOW THEY FINISH:
Brazil   3-0 9 PTS
Croatia 1-1-1 4 PTS (advance on Goal Differential)
Mexico 1-1-1 4 PTS
Cameroon 0-3 0 PTS

Brazil are the clear favorites in the group, as only once in World Cup history has the host nation not advanced to the knockout stages. For Croatia, any result today against Brazil would be huge for them. With Mexico and Cameroon not kicking off until the next day, both team will have nearly a full day to make tactical adjustments based on the result. If Brazil were to win, as is expected, Mexico and Cameroon would very likely play safe soccer and be sure to take a point. Knowing that then a win vs Croatia would likely send them through. Ultimately Mexico and Croatia will meet in the final match of group play and the winner will likely advance. Cameroon just doesn't have enough this time around.

Samuel Eto'o responds to Jose Mourinho's "old man" criticism, with a goal
celebration fit for an old man.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Samuel Eto'o (CAM) - 33 year old former
Chelsea man Samuel Eto'o, will be the key to any success that Cameroon. They are a side with very little experience and not nearly as talented as a few of the other African teams in the tournament.

Guillermo Ochoa (MEX) - In 2006, then 20 Ochoa served as the back-up and looked to be the clear future of goalkeeping for Mexico. Then in 2010 Mexico went with the more experienced veteran in Oscar Perez. Now 28, it should be Ochoa's chance to grab the spotlight. However, there is still question as to whether he will start over another veteran, Jesus Corona.

Gio Dos Santos (MEX) - You can talk about Chicharito all you want, but Dos Santos is Mexico's best field player, he may not score tons of goals but the quick footed playmaker will certainly factor into a few decisions throughout.

Luka Modric (CRO) - The best midfielder in Group A, and one of the best in the World. Modric's coming out party should have been the 2010 World Cup, the 24 year old was set to make a big impact, however a broken leg kept him out. Now he is the leader of a tough Croatia team that will mix experience with youth.


Mario Mandzukic (CRO) - Though Mandzukic will miss Croatia's first match against Brazil, due to this red card in the playoff vs Iceland, Croatia will certainly need him for the Cameroon and Mexico matches. Mario scored 33 goals in 54 matches for Munich over the past two seasons.

All of them (BRA) - Singling out players on Brazil would be to name 8 or 9 guys. Obviously Neymar is the player everyone is looking forward to seeing. The 22 year old has scored 31 goals in 49 games at the full National level. Hulk, Dani Alves, Oscar, David Luiz, Julio Cesar are just a few other names to look for.

GAME OF THE GROUP:

Mexico vs Croatia - this match should likely feature some dynamic football, with both teams going for the win to advance out of the group. Mexico who snuck in to the Cup by the skin of their teeth, could actually have a chance to move on.