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Let me say this up front: Casey Blake will be missed. Now that both C.C. Sabathia (note my Chalkian refusal to adjust to new monikers) and Blake have been dealt, here is the list of current Indians who had meaningful Major League experience prior to the 2004 season:

• Sal Fasano
• Jamey Carroll
• Paul Byrd
• David Dellucci
• Scott Elarton

Considering that: (1) Carroll is nursing a sore hamstring and regressing to his career norm of mediocrity, (2) Fasano’s best attribute is his mustache, (3) Paul Byrd is in need of a trip to the dentist, (4) Elarton is on permanent mop-up duty, and (5) Dellucci looks more like an adult film star than a baseball player these days, I’d say it’s fair to say that this is a young team. This youth makes it that much harder to lose a veteran presence like Blake. Like I said, he’ll be missed.

But…

Yesterday was, in my opinion, a pretty good day for the Tribe, despite getting annihilated by the Twins. Here’s why: first, the take for Blake was better than it would’ve been if we kept him for the rest of the season and lost him to free agency. At best we’d have gotten two draft picks who would’ve been a long way from making a big league contribution. We probably wouldn’t have signed Blake to a new contract if we hadn’t traded him, as we currently have a bit of a log jam at third base with Marte, Wes Hodges, and possibly Jhonny Peralta.

The players we got from the Dodgers aren’t LaPorta type players, but they’ll be able to impact the Indians more quickly than you might expect. Carlos Santana, a former infielder turned catching prospect, is reporting to A-Kingston, and has some decent upside. Other than sporting a pretty cool name, Santana has put up respectable numbers this year: a .323 average with 14 HR. A bit closer on the horizon is pitcher Jonathan Meloan, who projects to be in the Indians bullpen either this year after the rosters are expanded or certainly next spring. His numbers aren’t great so far (which would mean he’d fit right in with the Indians’ bullpen), but some of Meloan’s problems have arisen from being cast (unwisely) as a starter in the Dodgers’ organization. Keith Law has suggested Meloan has a chance to be considered for the closer’s job, though I find it more likely that he’ll be used in a setup role.

Our other take from Saturday was RHP Anthony Reyes, acquired from my other favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals. I’ve seen Reyes pitch quite a bit, and think he has an opportunity to make the rotation next year for the Tribe. He and Dave Duncan butted heads in St. Louis, as Dunc wanted Reyes to throw a two-seamer (like everyone else Duncan has ever coached) while Reyes wanted to stick with the rising four-seamer that earned him his reputation coming out of college. I think the change of scenery will help Reyes, and hopefully the Indians organization will let him mature into the caliber of pitcher his talent suggests. When you watch Reyes, you’ll be reminded of a young Mark Prior (both came out of USC with incredible talent and hype). He’s got all the tools, two very good pitches (fastball and curve) and two above average pitches (slider and change). If he can take advantage of this fresh start, I think it could be a great match. And what did we give up for Reyes? Double-A pitcher Luis Perdomo who will not likely be an impact player for the Cardinals anytime soon.

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