A Second Look At 10 Guys We Wanted The Indians To Acquire: Part Two

May 22, 2009

Last October, Junkyard put together a list of 10 players we wanted  the Indians to pursue for their 2009 roster.

Um, uh,  er, the Indians didn’t acquire ANY of the 10 players.

So, just for fun, we’ve decided to check how our “Most Wanted 10” are doing this season.

 And make some snap judgments on whether the Indians were wise to ignore our advice.

Earlier this week, we examined five of our most-wanted (Adam Dunn, Brian Roberts, Matt Cain, Boof Bonser and Kevin Kouzmanoff) .

We concluded the Indians were wise not to get Cain, Bonser and Kouzmanoff - but should have taken our advice and acquired Dunn and Roberts.

Now, for the final five:

Delmon Young, outfielder: Had a slow start and has only lately gotten his batting average up to a respectable .277. Has been striking out at a 1-every-4-at-bats clip.

Verdict: The Indians were wise to ignore our advice.

Trevor Hoffman, closer: Tied for the National League lead in saves (11) - and he has a 0.00 earned run average.

Verdict: We get why the Indians pursued and signed Kerry Wood instead of Hoffman. And Wood hasn’t been a bad pickup. But…the Indians could have an equal or better closer (Hoffman) - for $4 million less this season.

The Indians should have taken our advice and signed Hoffman.

Ryan Church, outfielder: Hasn’t done badly for the Mets - when he isn’t forgetting to touch a base and costing his team a potential game-winning run.

Verdict: Church hasn’t been a better right fielder than Shin-Soo Choo this season - and he would taken Choo’s playing time if the Indians had acquired him.

The Indians were wise to ignore our advice.

Mike Jacobs, designated hitter/first baseman: He’s provided left-handed power and leadership for Kansas City - and he’s been a major contributor to the Royals’  respectable first half.

Verdict: It’s too bad Jacobs isn’t in an Indians uniform.

Brandon Lyon, reliever: He’s been horrible for the Tigers this season.

Verdict: The Indians were wise to ignore our advice.


The final tally:

So far - based on early performances - the Indians were smart not to acquire six of the 10 players we suggested.

Still, would anyone argue that the 2009 Indians would be a far better team if they HAD acquired the remaining four - Roberts, Dunn, Hoffman and Jacobs?

-Wanna leave a Junkyard comment? Sure! Leave it below. You can also e-mail junkyard@sportstimeohio.com.

-Posted at 4:05 p.m.