Odds of him coming up are increasing. I still wouldn't expect to see him until June/July anyway, without a serious injury problem with the Indians.
Wedge has not said much of anything about him at all, or making a change. Simply because he's not a manager who likes to make big moves quickly. Neither is Shapiro, the GM. The Indians have let a lot of young, talented players sit in the minors for longer than they should have. And on the flip side, Brandon Phillips still hangs over the head of the organization. I really think that since he got away, they have been much more cautious about bringing guys up, leaving them in AA/AAA longer just to be careful not to blow it.
But there has been a lot of talk locally about LaPorta and even Michael Brantley possibly coming up to play Left. Francisco isn't producing much at all right now. They have Trevor Crowe/Sizemore/Choo and have thought about getting Garko in the OF more when Victor is at 1B and Shoppach catching. Oh, and David F'ing Delucci is still on this roster for some reason, on the DL at least.
So, bottom line, Francisco will have to continue to slump, then most likely lose PT to Crowe and possibly Garko, before LaPorta gets a shot at playing in the OF. Unless Hafner/Victor/Garko get hurt, I don't see LaPorta getting here until probably the ASB.
That's pretty much just speculation on my part, based on what is being said on local sports radio/tv, and what's being said by the GM and Manager (which isn't much).
So don't take it as a lock that he'll get an ASB call-up. I'm not 100% convinced he shows up before rosters expand.
Well he is a Scott Boras client - so I'm sure some in here will tell you he is still 3 years away at least because they don't want to start the clock ticking on him.
I don't see that coming into play with the Indians. While a smaller market team, they're willing to spend $80 mil a year, which ranks pretty high on payroll in MLB.
They won't have any problem with signing him to a new contract in 2 years if that's the way it plays out.
"LaPorta went 2-for-4 Friday with a home run. Spin: He owns a .370/.443/.685 line with four home runs and a 5:5 K:BB in 54 at-bats for Triple-A Columbus. He will almost certainly be ready to play in Cleveland this season, but the trick will be to find a position for him to play on a daily basis."
really wish he could get a shot to show what he can do in the majors, but i personally don't for see that happening for quite some time unfortunately...
Indians manager Eric Wedge downplayed the idea Tuesday of promoting scorching prospect Matt LaPorta from Triple-A Columbus.
LaPorta boasts a .381/.452/.730 line in 63 at-bats thus far and would be an immediate upgrade on left fielder Ben Francisco, but Wedge isn't ready to make a change. "The reality is that the people here are the ones who have to make the difference for us," he said. "LaPorta is so young, just out of college. He's off to a good start, and his day will come." Source: Akron Beacon Journal
CBS is also reporting that LaPorta is no where near coming up. I am wondering if Wedge and the Indians are just playing the political card. June 1st seems a long ways away, hopefully that is the time! Of course, an injury could bump his arrival up too.
Wedge just likes and trusts old guys, whether they actually get it done or not.
Just look at the recent history of this organization. Between Shapiro and Wedge, when was the last time they brought a young player up? Jeremy Sowers a few years ago for a cup of coffee, only to have him become terrible over the next couple of seasons. Carmona, and try to make him a Closer after they sent Wickman to ATL...and he went 0-10 that year I think. Other than that, Sizemore and VMart are about it. Instead, they load the roster up with guys like Jason Michaels, David Dellucci, Trot Nixon, Jamey Carroll.
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by cnasty » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:41 am 
