October 3, 2006
Indians Might Want Clayton
By
Amanda
Posted at 1:08 pm
No, not the Indianapolis Indians. The Cleveland ones. Can you believe it?
I can't believe I missed this story in the Beacon Journal on-line edition where the prospect of Royce Clayton filling the Indians' short-term shortstop need is explored:
Two veteran shortstops on the free-agent market who might interest the Tribe are Alex Gonzalez and Royce Clayton. Gonzalez is expected to re-sign with the Boston Red Sox. Clayton will be 37 next year. He's playing short for the Cincinnati Reds, hitting .256 with two home runs and 38 RBI in 132 games this season. Clayton or someone of that type would just be a stop-gap.
Hey, more power to 'em. I wouldn't mind seeing Clayton again only as part of the inter-league rivalry.
Jhonny Peralta beat Brandon Phillips out of a late-season callup from AAA Buffalo a year and a half ago based on his offense. Peralta went on to win the Tribe’s starting SS job. Phillips got traded to the Reds.
It’s entirely possible Phillips ends up as the Reds’ SS next year. If the Indians wind up with Clayton at SS, their fans should be outraged – and it will be one of the most ironic twists I’ve witnessed in almost 40 years as a baseball fan.