What Could Have Been: Maicer Izturis

Maicer Izturis
Los Angeles Angels
Utility Infielder/Shortstop
5′8″ 165 – 9/12/1980
B/T: S/R
Acquired: 1998 Amateur Free Agent
How he got away: Traded to Montreal with Ryan Church for Scott Stewart in 2004

Ah the half-brother of Cesar Izturis, Maicer. Since we are engaged in a series with the Angels, I thought it would be nice to take a look at him. Some say he has better glove work than his gold-glove brother. Would be hard to argue that if you’ve seen him play. Maicer didn’t last long with the Expos then Nationals. Later in 2004 he was traded with Juan Rivera to LA for Jose Guillen. He hit .206 in his 100 some at bats for the Expos with a home run and four RBIs.

Izturis has sort of flourished in LA as a utility player. Maicer can play the infield for the Angels and is a nice insurance policy if a guy like Chone Figgins gets hurt or has to play the outfield for any other injury. However, with the trade of Orlando Cabrera to Chicago, LA can now start him at shortstop most of the time with Willy Aybar.

This year, Iztruis is hitting .267 with 3 home runs and 32 RBI. He’s stolen 9 bases and scored 38 runs in 70 games this year.

With the Cleveland Indians oranization he made the Carolina League All-Star Game in 2002. Today, he wouldn’t be the starting shortstop, but hey he’d be in the same position he was in with Los Angeles. He’d be a useful utility plpayer. He can play defense, run a little bit and he has a good average. Jamey Carroll is our current utility player, so hey. Which would I have? Maicer is younger and can play shortstop as well. Who knows, I wouldn’t mind having Maicer on my team, or this team to boot. Jamey is a veteran though which is what this team needs.

Take a look at what we traded for him though.

Scott Stewart?

Not to mention starting outfielder for the Mets, Ryan Church was in the deal as well. Eventually Church will be covered as well.

Stewart pitched in just 23 games with the Tribe. He had a 7.24 ERA in just 13.7 innings. Ouch.

Was that a bad deal or what? Stewart played for the Dodgers that same year and hasn’t been in the majors since.

What Could Have Been

What Could Have Been? Well I don’t know.

What Could Have Been is the feature where we take a look at former Indian players around the major leagues.

Most of the time we are going to take a look at former Indian farm hands now in the Majors. What Could Have Been will look at their current team, what the Indians team would look like had the player been on it and where they would fit in. I’ll also take a look at their current production compared to where they would fit in and who is taking their spot. Not to mention why they are no longer with the club.

Here is the complete archive for What Could Have Been:

7-22-08: Maicer Izturis, LA Angels
8-9-08: Joe Inglett, Toronto Blue Jays

Morning Update: Carmona To Start Saturday

“It’s something we’ve definitely been looking forward to,” manager Eric Wedge said of Carmona’s return. “Obviously, he’s a big part of our starting rotation. To have him back should be a big boost for us.” (Indians.com)

Who else but Fausto?!

That’s right.. Fausto Carmona has been cleared to come off the DL and make a start on Saturday provided his side session goes well today (and who are we kidding, it will). Matt Ginter will be making his final start tonight against the Angels. It should be a big boost for the Tribe to get their Fausto Man back..

Carmona will be donning a new era when he returns. It’s the era of him being the Cleveland Ace with CC Sabathia gone.

I mean what can you say about Matt Ginter though? This will be his last start, but maybe he opened up another clubs eyes on him enough to give him a shot?

“You always want to think you’ve got a chance,” Ginter said. “I went [into the season] with the mind-set that I could make a good impression on them.” (Indians.com)

He did a good job, and hopefully he has one more left in him.

I’m really feeling for Josh Barfield now that Cabrera is aback with the team. The timing of that injury couldn’t have been more rotten. Now he probably won’t be starting every day unless they send him back to Buffalo, which would be downright cruddy.

“I just want to get back out there playing,” Barfield said. (Indians.com)

Barfield is with the team and he will begin to hit off the tee soon. He’s a matter of weeks away from returning.

Speaking of injuries, Victor Martinez might find himself in that every fifth day benching like he was last year. At least he won’t start at Catcher every day, which isn’t so bad for him coming off the elbow surgery.

Kelly Shoppach and Cliff Lee have really clicked and Lee has been really pleased with the job Kelly has done. Shoppach could become his personal catcher and his offensive output is just more helpful to that. Victor could get more time at first base in those situations, which really like I said, isn’t such a bad idea. Especially with Garko struggling.

Mark Shapiro isn’t expecting to spend much on Free Agents, even with CC Sabathia and Paul Byrd’s contracts coming off the books. There is roughly 20 million less that they had this year that they won’t have to worry about next year. Not to mention Casey Blake’s six million which is the second highest yearly salary on the team aside from Travis Hafner and Jake Westbrook.

One thing is for sure.. This team will sign a starting pitcher in some capacity. Be it a project or just a veteran that can get them through most of the season until Jake Westbrook is ready, if he is ready. Depending on what Andy Marte does and what happens with Peralta, they could bring in a veteran at third for a year. Other than that, I wouldn’t expect much. I wouldn’t even expect a first baseman signing, despite what Hoynes said about Garko. He brought up an interesting name though.

Jim Thome anyone?

Speaking of Shapiro. Mark was not happy about Grady Sizemore playing 10 innings in the All-Star Game.

“I didn’t like Grady [Sizemore] having to play 10 innings,” said Shapiro, referring to his center fielder. “But you can’t expend energy on it. You can’t blame the manager, but what are you going to do? (Plain Dealer)

While Casey Blake is being brought up about his impending free agency, Anthony Castrovince puts the market to Blake’s trade value.

“You don’t trade a guy just for the sake of trading him. It’s questionable how much Blake would pull in, and he could potentially remain in the mix with the Indians if they can sign him to a short-term deal.

All that being said, several teams — including the Dodgers, Mets and Twins — appear to have some interest in Blake. Nothing appears imminent at the moment.” (Indians.com)

Why the hell not? We can’t continue to move on with this guy as a starter. Casey is great to have as a utility player at this point, but this offensive output will not last. We need to move on. His value will never be higher.

The Mets are certainly interested.. At least Omar Minaya is.. According to Jon Heyman of SI, Minaya is a big fan of Blake. Quick do they still have Scott Kazmir? Oh no? Well uh.. How about any other blue-chip prospect? Quickly now, let’s go make a deal here before he remembers he traded for Victor Zambrano. Seriously, did he think he was getting Carlos?

Minor League Update: Donnelly Debuts in Buffalo

Morgan Ensberg knocked in all four runs for the Herd last night in their extra innings loss. Ensberg hit his first home run as a member of Buffalo and went 2-6. Randy Newsome blew the save and Brendan Donnelly picked up a hold in his Buffalo debut. Zach Jackson made a start and went four innings giving up just one run off two hits, two walks and four strikeouts. He threw 54 pitches.

The Herd activated Donnelly after he spent the entire first half of the year on the disabled list. JD Martin was sent to Akron.

Akron lost both games of a double header. Frank Herrman’s effort was wasted in game one after going 5 innings and giving up just one earned. Trevor Crowe went 1-4 with an RBI

James Deters got roughed up in the second game. Chuck Lofgren pitched two innings of relief and gave up a run. Matt LaPorta went 1-3 with an RBI and Brandon Pinckney hit a home run.

Beau Mills went 2-4 with an RBI and Jerad Head homered again last night in Kinston’s loss. Jeanmar Gomez’s lead was blown after he pitched 5 innings giving up just one run. Niuman Romero’s hit streak is now at 21.

Lake County’s offensive woes continue. They couldn’t muster up enough support for Joey Mahalic’s 6.1 inning, 2 run outting.

Mahoning Valley’s Kaimi Mead had the same fate as he went 5 innings giving up just one run. The Scrappers were 3-hit.

Matt McBride should be close to getting out of the Gulf Coast League. He went 2-3 with two runs scored and a RBI. He’s now hitting .356.

Here is a new piece of David Huff at the Cleveland Fan.

There Something About Marte, Tribe Win Again

To the party Marty!

Again you say?! Again?!

I tell ya what, something’s clicking right now, and I like it!

Even though David Freaking Dellucci is hitting fifth, this team is winning. I don’t know why…

Dellucci yes, is still getting playing time. It could be for a showcase, but I don’t think any team is really that interested. But, how about that at-bat for him today?

Peralta was at second and Dellucci got hit on the foot. Realizing that there is no outs and that Peralta advanced to third because the ball bounced up and away from Mathis, Dellucci acted like it never even hit him.

Great great great great presence of mind there. He would then get the sac-fly to bring him home.

Peralta also went deep again, that gives him 17 on the year. Realizing that Jhonny Peralta was catching up to him in the RBI race, hit a monster shot in the fifth to knock in two. God this guy’s value is as high as it ever will be. Someone needs to jump on him soon here.

Then of course..

Marteeeeeeee. He hit an absolute bomb into left field. 2-4 on the night. He’s really starting to get some confidence at the dish and find himself.

Paul Byrd did fine.. Lived dangerously like he does most of the time. 5.1 innings with nine hits and just a run and five punch-outs.

Perez pitched 2.2 innings of relief, he made quick work so Wedge stretched him. He did give up the solo shot to Kendrick. Not sure why Wedge didn’t bring in Eddie Cheeks.

Then a great job for Masasan! Strikeout the side my frieeends.

Tomorrow we got that GINTER HEAT coming at us against Jeff Weaver.

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