Media reports indficate that Victor Martinez has, indeed, be traded by the Indians to the Boston Red Sox.

It is alleged that good seats remain available for all remaining Indian home games. When calling the ticket office and inquiring about what time the games start, the voice on the other end responded, "what time can you get here?" Ticket sales may be just a bit of a problem going forward.

The Red Sox allegedly have given up left- handed pitcher Nick Hagadone, right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson and right-handed pitcher Bryan Price. The collection of pitchers continues for Cleveland.

Yes, the Cleveland Indians needed to improve their pitching at all levels of the organization. They have not drafted pitching well, meaning they have not developed their own pitchers. They have traded away the last two American League Cy Young Award winners. Let me write that again. They have traded away the last two American League Cy Young Award winners. Not only is it unusual to have two Cy's from the same team, but to trade them both in consecutive years? Far be it from me to question such a strategic plan to build a franchise. Now Victor Martinez is a former Cleveland Indian.

Victor Martinez was the face of the Indians franchise, if there was such a thing. He is a multi-faceted versatile player with a tremendous work ethic. He plays hurt. For the Tribe, he played three distinct roles on the field; catcher, first base and designated hitter. He played them all well. He was the team's best pure hitter. He has a huge will to win. He will make an awesome addition to the Boston Red Sox. It is hard to believe the Indians would even part with the heart of their franchise. But they did. If they didn't do it this year, they would have done it sometime in 2010. He came back this spring after a year lost to injury as a motivated, dedicated team leader. His stroke had returned and he began the season on a tear. He has tailed off recently, but to be fair, there really isn't much protection for him in the Cleveland lineup. Things should be a little different in Boston. Red Sox fans will love watching Victor day in and day out.

No Buchholz or Bard in the return for Cleveland, but some good prospects nonetheless.

Nick Hagadone is a 6'5" left-handed pitcher that some believe has the ability to start or work at the back end of the pen.
Before his Tommy John surgery in June of 2008, Hagadone threw his fastball at 92-94 and he could touch 98. He had a very good slider that would sit in the 82-83 range and an emerging change-up. So, he could vary his speed from 80 to the high 90's. With the downward plane of that big, 230 pound body, he could keep hitters off balance. To me, Hagadone could be a real key to this deal if his arm continues to respond from surgery. Hagadone closed for Washington in college. He was pitching at Greenville in Class A at the time of the trade.

Justin Masterson has been pitching out of the Red Sox bullpen and he is one of the only major league pitchers the Indians have obtained in all their deals for pitching. Masterson projects as a starter to me. He is big and strong at 6'6 and 250 pounds. He is only 24, but he has excellent potential. The upside is in his command of his sinking fastball. His range of velocity is from 84-94 from his change up to his fastball. An interesting side note about Masterson He was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He had an excellent stretch this season, but he has been hit harder more recently. Hitters are hitting .281 against him this season. Actually, Masterson has started some games this season for Boston, so he is versatile. He has walked 25 while striking out 67. Masterson will likely stick with the big league club in this transition.

Bryan Price is the third pitcher in the deal. He is another big guy at 6'4", 210 pounds. He's a 22 year old lanky right-handed 2008 sandwich pick out of Rice. He's another guy that can either start or relieve. Most recently he pitched for Salem in Class A Advanced. He was 3-2 with a 2.45 earned run average. Batters were hitting .223 against him. I have not seen Price pitch. He is said to have a good sinking fastball in the high 8o's to lowish 90's range. I do know that he also throws a slider and a change-up. Price adds another pitcher to the Cleveland organization.

It's another very sad day for Cleveland fans. The outcry from the Cliff Lee trade still hasn't subsided. Now it will be an uproar.