If You Can't Sign 'Em, Trade 'Em

  The Indians’ trade of Mark DeRosa was another case of the team trading a potential free agent for prospects.  Chris Perez is a power arm out of the bullpen, a 24-year-old right-hander who has the ability to make hitters swing and miss.  DeRosa was acquired by the team knowing he was going to be a free agent at the end of this season.    However, it brings into question how the Indians deal with potential free agents, and do they make the correct decisions in regards to which ones to keep?   A few years ago, the Tribe knew three key components were about to be free agents after the 2008 season:  C.C. Sabathia, Jake Westbrook, and Travis Hafner.  As of the end of the 2006 season, these three players represented the team’s best power hitter, the ace of the pitching staff, and a solid #3 or #4 starter.    A staff ace is the most important thing on a pitching staff, and remember, this was before Cliff Lee emerged as a top of the rotation starter.  At this point, Lee was a so...