So, one could, if one were callous and mean, make the argument that this post is a bit belated.  We here at UPH prefer to think of delaying it as waiting until the dust has settled, thank you.

Forthwith, a little analysis.

At the trade deadline, the Indians sent Victor Martinez to the Red Sox, in return receiving pitcher Justin Masterson and prospects Bryan Price and Nick Hagadone.  Unquestionably the deal of the deadline, but that’s not really news.  A lot of analysis, Jayson Stark in particular, says the Indians won’t be any good ’til 2012 at the earliest.

Lies, we say.

Masterson projects as solid long relief, with the ability to spot start or even re-convert to a starter if need be.  He’s been pitching relief since his time at San Diego State, but his college career began as a starter at Bethel College.  He’s started occasionally for the Red Sox, particularly last season, starting 9 games in 2008. In those starts, he pitched 54 innings and had an ERA under 4.  The most telling stat? In his 2008 starts, Masterson help opponents to just a .206 batting average.  The Indians have decimated their major league level starting pitching in recent months, losing Sabathia and, last week, trading Cliff Lee.  Masterson isn’t the answer to that problem, but he’s more than a stopgap when your starter doesn’t come through, and his big game mentality shouldn’t be underestimated.  If someone takes a chance on converting him to a starter, the Indians might have a solid #4 or #5 option.

As for Price, Hagadone, and, while we’re at it, Martinez with the Sox?

Now, we don’t know if Jayson Stark has had the opportunity to see Bryan Price pitch, but UPH has.  He had Tommyjohn surgery in college, came back stronger, and threw so hard for scouts in his senior year at Rice that his control was a little spotty at times.   Nevertheless, the following facts are true:

1. Kid throws heat.  His average fastball is close to 95 and he can top out at 97.

2. When he’s rattled, he’s pretty rattled. But…

3. He’s not so easy to rattle.

In a shortened season in his last year at Rice, Price earned 4 wins out of the pen.  The Sox were looking to make him a starter, and if the Indians keep that up, we think, barring setbacks, you could see him at AAA and having a cup of coffee in 2011, not 2012.

Hagadone?  He has also had Tommyjohn surgery, but currently tops out at 98 mph.  Not clear if he’s going to be a starter or a reliever, but it looks to us like the Indians are giving themselves a heck of a lot of options in terms of flexible arms that can throw a lot of pitches.

As for V-Mart?  Well, consider the facts: he has a year and a half left on his contract.  He cried when he left Cleveland, and has never played anywhere else.  The Indians organization spoke publically about how much it loves him.  It wouldn’t surprise UPH at all if there’s somewhat of an informal understanding: Martinez leaves, but comes back ASAP, with a hometown discount of course, to mentor Cleveland’s hot-stuff young pitching staff in 2011.  If Carmona can get some consistency, what you have in Cleveland is, we think, what you call a contendah, and sooner that everyone thinks.

Hey, it could happen…you heard it here first.