The POJO Dojo

Ohio State can send Michigan to the bottom of the Big 10 heap

2009-11-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Michigan Wolverines are facing their first back-to-back losing seasons since 1962 and 1963. The Michigan Wolverines need another win to become bowl eligible. The Michigan Wolverines could finish last in the conference with a loss. The Michigan Wolverines best offensive lineman, Justin Boren, transferred from his father's alma mater stating that the program was "eroded."

If you're a Michigan fan, this game has some weight to it.

If you're an Ohio State fan, this game could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Lloyd Carr was fired two years ago for some of the same reasons that John Cooper was fired from THE Ohio State University nearly ten years ago. He couldn't beat his biggest rival in the Buckeyes. Carr was considered during several of his years at Michigan as one of the top five or ten coaches in the league. He was born and bred in Michigan football, was a Bo Schembechler disciple, and commanded respect from his players. I wonder how many would take Lloyd Carr of the idiotic Rich Rodriguez right about now?

I was talking with a Michigan acquaintance this week, and he expressed something to me that I never thought I'd hear out of the mouth of a Wolverine fan: "I hope Ohio State wins on Saturday. We shouldn't go to a bowl game anyways, and RichFraud will get fired in the process." I'm sure he's not in the minority, although most from That State up North would never admit it.

This game isn't a foregone conclusion. The Buckeyes and the Wolverines is a grudge match, and the inconsistent Ohio State offense could make this game interesting if they take it too lightly. Still, Jim Tressel has known the importance of this game from day one. Ohio State will be up to win this game.

Will Michigan? Are they committed to perhaps the biggest two-timing coach in the NCAA (sorry Bobby Petrino), or is this team ready to close the book on a loser for a coach? This is Ohio State/Michigan, and the Maize and Blue will be in front of 110,000 of their dearest friends. They'll be ready to play.

Unfortunately for TSUN, they just aren't very good. Get ready for an upheaval in Ann Arbor in 2010. RichFraud will be missed by tOSU fans. He likely would have guaranteed a 10-year bore.

It's Rich Rodriguez time!!!!

2009-11-17T00:38:00.001-05:00

First, Richie Rodriguez gets into it with his starting quarterback. Then, the allegations resurface that Rodriguez and his laughingstock Wolverines failed to log their offseason workout hours after team members stated that the team practiced more than their alloted 20 hours a week. You get the feeling that this is par for the course for the backstabbing coach. Nice choice UM, way to nail it in your coaching hire. Bo must be a rollin'.

Have fun getting your team ready fraudriguez. Nothing like another loss to tOSH to cap off your career at MIchigan, and another bowl-less year. It couldn't have happened to a better coach, or a better school.

Lets...

Go...

BUCKS!!!!

Tate Forcier, we hardly knew ya'

2009-11-16T03:28:00.000-05:00

Tate Forcier, freshman, the University of Michigan. Forcier was a media darling outside of Columbus during the first half of the season. Michigan was winning games, and the freshman quarterback seemed to be some sort of Tom Brady/Joe Montana mix if you were to believe what was being printed.

My how things have changed. Forcier has more than struggled over the past several weeks, and has been in danger of losing his job to fellow freshman Denard Robinson. The Forcier camp has even allegedly threatened to transfer should he be benched, and rumors of issues between the QB and head coach Rich Rodriguez and his coaching staff have surfaced. We all know where there's smoke, there's likely fire, but all sides are refuting the reports.

Enter Ohio State, and you throw gasoline to the fire. Forcier has already placed foot in mouth with this statement after their loss to Wisconsin on Saturday:

“If I have to spend 10 hours this week watching film, I’m going to do that,” Forcier said. “We’re going to get the seniors to a bowl game. We’re going to come out and do what we need to do to beat Ohio State.“

Ahhh, gamesmanship.

I don't think anyone has a problem with wanting to win. It's not like you should come out and say you are going to LOSE to THE Ohio State, but perhaps the Wolverines should make it easy on themselves and just resolve themselves to the loss. That said, perhaps Forcier should just keep his mouth shut.

Of course, we here in the land of Ohio State don't mind the idiocy, and come to expect it from our moron-neighbors from the North.

Here's to your guarantee Tate, and good luck in your transfer!

Michigan Week

2009-11-14T22:52:00.000-05:00

There's nothing better in college football than Michigan week. It doesn't matter that Michigan sucks year-after-year. It doesn't matter that the game is essentially meaningless to THE Ohio State. It doesn't matter that tOSU has dominated the Wolverines in recent years.

It's still the best week in all of college football. Perhaps all I mentioned just enhances why. Top it off with the biggest dirtbag in all of college football in Rich Rodriguez, and you have a game worth watching.

Michigan needs to win the game to be bowl eligible. Which bowl? Is there still a bluebonnet bowl? Look for Ohio State to blow out the idiots in Ann Arbor, shut up the idiots, and get Rodriguez fired all in the process.

LETS

GO

BUCKS!!!!

Buckeyes overcome mistakes and Tressel to beat Iowa

2009-11-14T20:58:00.007-05:00

Congratulations to THE Ohio State Buckeyes, who defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes in overtime today to clinch their fifth Big 10 title in as many years, and guarantee a spot in the 2010 Rose Bowl.

The Buckeyes won despite a fourth quarter that mirrored a season's worth of mistakes that nearly cost the Buckeyes their season. With 11:30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Brandon Saine should have put the Hawkeyes away. Don't miscontrue my comments, because Saine did everything he could to win the game for the Buckeyes. Saine swept to the left side of the field and burst down the field for his second touchdown of the day, a 49-yard romp that put the Buckeyes up 24-10. Game...Set...and match. Of course, if you are a Buckeyes fan, you just sort of knew that the game wasn't close to over.

It began on the next kickoff, when Devin Barclay of Iowa returned the kickoff for a TD that kept Iowa in the game at 24-17, and left the Buckeyes faithful not in shock, but that dreaded land of "here we go again." This team refuses to put teams away. But the Buckeyes had a seven point lead, and the ball. Points of any sort could put this game in the "final nail in the coffin" column. Especially after Iowa kicked the ball off out of bounds, and came through with a personal foul. Without touching the ball, tOSU had the ball on Iowa's 45-yard line.

Enter Jim Tressel, and the most confounding play-calling of all time, unless you are a Buckeyes fan. Then it's just another week.

Now, let me remind the folks outside of Buckeye-land that Aaron Pelphrey, the Buckeyes kicker, is injured. In his place is Devin Barclay. You've heard the story by now. He was a soccer prodigy, who turned out not to be a soccer prodigy. He was a bench player in Columbus when some priest asked him to kick some footballs. He walks on at tOSU. He's 27 and blah-blah-blah. Alls I hear when they say his name is "back-up" kicker. I'd be thinking, "Get it really close, or score a TD." The last thing I want to do is lay the season on the shoulder of a backup kicker. Not because he isn't good, but because he's A BACKUP.

Tressel proceeded to give the ball to Boom Herron for the next six plays, that totaled 15 yards. Barclay would be trying his longest field goal in a game situation. Barclay badly hooked the kick, giving Iowa the ball down by 7. Iowa, of course, drove down the field and scored to tie the game. Of course, the drive included tipped catches and penalties that brought back TD's on picks. Mind-numbing.

Ohio State had a chance to drive down the field with more than 3 minutes left in the game, but the announcers had it right. Ohio State has no clue how to run a two minute offense. How could they when Tressel refuses to give them a chance. Instead, Tressel forces them to play out of fear. The "Don't make Mistakes" mentality is sound, but not when you play that card so much, your offense flinches at any player within five yards of the football.

Ohio State promptly did nothing with the football. Of course, Iowa played Tressel-ball, and into overtime the game went. Yeah, it's just where you want to go with a backup kicker...right?

Thank goodness for tOSU defense. It's one of the better units in the country despite the offenses' failings. The D forced an incompletion on first down. Adam Robinson swept right and was met by a sea of scarlett and grey for a six-yard loss. Senior Doug Worthington then sacked James Vandenberg for a 10-yard loss, forcing Iowa to go for it on fourth down. Anderson Russell picked off the pass, ending Iowa's chances to score.

Of course, no tOSU had to score, and remember, Barclay is a BACK-UP KICKER WHO JUST MISSED A FIELD GOAL IN THE FOURTH QUARTER THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE BUCKEYES THE WIN. Surely Tressel would try and move the ball.

Enter Boom Herron, who lost two yards on his first carry (field goal attempt 44 yards). He then gained the two yards back (field goal attempt 42 yards). tOSU called a time out, which I assumed meant they were going to throw some sort of safe pass to gain a first down. Surely they wouldn't run it again...right?

Wrong.

Herron got the ball again for a three yard gain, putting the ball in Barclay's way again. This time it would be a 39-yard attempt, but really? REALLY?

Barclay made the kick, and the Buckeyes won the game. Roses flowed once again, and all was good in Buckeye-land.

Still, do you really handcuff Pryor and this offense? Pryor is visibly frustrated, which likely will assure that Ohio State never again recruits a player of his talents. Sure, Pryor has made several mistakes this season, but you have to really wonder if he's not playing in utter fear of making mistakes. I sure would. I have to admit, Pryor made a mistake coming to tOSU. He's so underutilized, it's a pain to watch.

But the Buckeyes return to the Rose Bowl, where they won't face USC. Instead, they will likely face off against either 13-ranked Oregon, 17th ranked Arizona or Stanford. We won't know until December 5th, when the Pac 10 plays it's last game. Arizona faces off against Southern Cal that day, less than a month prior to the Rose Bowl.

Ohio State plays their last game next week...nearly two months prior to the Rose Bowl. Ahhh...Big 10 football...run by morons. But that's for another discussion.

Ohio State makes the Rose Bowl, wins the Big 10, and will move into the top 10 again in the BCS after Iowa and USC are deposited below the Bucks. That IS what is important. But at some point, for the Buckeyes to stop being a laughing-stock of the upper-echelon teams, they have to create an offense that can be proactive. Their reactive offense just isn't that good, against anyone.

Who's the next Tribe skipper?

2009-10-17T05:10:00.003-04:00

With John Farrell out of the picture, is there really a manager candidate that sets anyone on fire? Did Farrell set anyone on fire, for that matter. Remember, he hasn't ever managed before, and his previous staffs in Boston happen to be some of the best pitchers money can buy.

Bobby Valentine likely heads the list, and does bring some serious cred to the job, but is almost more known for his antics than his managing. Is he prepared to build a team, which he has been proven to have done in the past, or is he at an age where winning now is a premium? He has declined to talk about the job, which usually means he's in play. Mike Hargrove would also fit in this list, and wants to bookend his managing career with another gig in Cleveland, but Grover also brings several questions, least of which is the fact that he quit in Seattle. Ned Yost, Clint Hurdle, and Manny Acta are also managers from other clubs that might get a look, even though they've been recently canned from their prior job.

Minor League skippers Torey Lovullo of the Clippers and Travis Fryman of the Scrappers should also get looks at the head job, buy may either not be ready, or not far enough from Wedge for anyone's liking...Luvullo in particular. Fryman might be the fresh face the team needs, but brings several questions to the table with regards to readiness.

Of course, Tribe fans are in the dark because of the Shapiro Death-Squad mentality and super-secret...well...secrets.

More on this over the next several days, as the rumors continue to swirl in Tribeland...

Jake Westbrook's lost year

2009-08-11T20:10:00.004-04:00

Jake Westbrook has been shut down for six weeks, essentially ending his season before it really had a chance to begin. Westbrook was working his way through a rehab assignment after Tommy John surgery over a year ago, and was scheduled to rejoin the Tribe within the next two weeks. Now, his future status is certainly up in the air.

The news isn't all bad. Fans of the scrappy pitcher feared the worst with regards to his surgically repaired elbow. Another surgery would have likely ended Westbrook's career with the Tribe, and likely would have jeopardized his career. Those worries can be brushed aside for now, as Westbrook's soreness in the elbow appears to be caused by scar tissue from the surgery. As bad as it sounds, it is a normal reaction to the invasive surgery. Pitcher's so routinely have the procedure done in this era of the game that it's often easy to forget that the window for return is up to 18 months.

For those counting at home, Westbrook will have spent nearly all of the first two years of his three-year, 33 million dollar deal injured. Don't get me wrong, he deserved the money, but it's painful to watch Mark Shapiro now pocket more ammo as to why he should never sign a pitcher to big money.

Westbrook, the Tribe's resident bulldog, will likely spend the winter building up his arm for next season. Anthony Castrovince speculates that he may even pitch winter ball to strengthen the arm. Either way, let's hope that Westbrook comes back healthy in 2010.

The Indians will only be better for it.

Jake Westbrook: 2010 opening day starter, or another year-long DL stint?

2009-08-10T21:13:00.006-04:00

How bad are the Indians going to be in 2010? Mark Shapiro is already lining up Jake Westbrook to be the opening day starter in 2010. No offense to you Jake Westbrook, but...what?!?

Jake Westbrook isn't a bad starter. As a matter of fact, he's far from it. You could make a case that during his tenure as a healthy Indians' starter, he's been the most consistent pitcher not named Sabathia to wear the Indians' jersey since the days of Chuck Nagy. Westbrook pitched just over 900 innings from 2003 and 2007, making 143 starts during that span. His ERA was slightly over 4.00, and he went 57-53 during that span. There's no doubt that Westbrook had become a prototypical #3 or #4 starter. He was an innings-eater who could win games when needed.

Now, after over a year off, Shapiro is proclaiming Westbrook to be the opening day starter in 2010. Okay, I get that Westbrook is a pitbull on the mound, has tenure, and has been unhittable in spring training over the past couple of years when healthy. But do you really want to throw that comment out there with Westbrook not nearly recovered from Tommy John surgery? I'm sure Justin Masterson and Fausto Carmona are just thrilled with the news.

In fairness to Mr. Mark Shapiro, he did say "if he's healthy" after making the initial comment. In equal fairness, he also made the comment before Westbrook was pulled from his latest start with double A Akron last night. I'll get to that in a minute.

In case you were wondering, Jake Westbrook hasn't made a start since May 28th, 2008. In case you were wondering more, he hasn't made back-to-back starts since April 14th and April 19th, 2008. Either Westbrook is a future Cy Young award winner for Shapiro to proclaim him the opening day guy in 2010, or the Indians' pitching is going to be utter garbage. Call this the irony of waiting so many years for solid pitching, only two trade off two Cy Young award winners in back-to-back years.

Enter Westbrook, who missed most of 2008 and all of 2009 so far because of Tommy John surgery. As mentioned before, Westbrook was pulled from his start on Sunday because of a sore elbow. It's not known whether or not the soreness is the regular process of recovering from Tommy John surgery, or something much more dramatic, such as the need for another surgery. Either way, it puts a rather large cloud over whether or not he can start on opening day, oh, say seven months from now.

The hope here is that this soreness for Westbrook is a normal elbow issue and that he finishes out the season with a flourish. Let's hope he follows it with a spring like a couple of years ago, and earns that opening day starter's job.

Leave the game-day decisions to the manager Mark. Oh, wait, Wedge is still the manager. Nevermind.

Indians' Jamey Carroll auditioning for postseason work

2009-08-09T22:47:00.005-04:00

The Cleveland Indians are dumping salary, and Jamey Carroll is looking for his first class ticket out of town. Carroll emphasized his point today in going 2-5 with a double, homer and three RBI, as the Indians took 2 of 3 from the second place Chicago White Sox.

With two on and two out in the fifth inning, and the Indians trailing 3-2, Carroll hit a laser down the left field off of Jose Contreras. The double scored both runners and gave the Indians a 4-3 lead they would never relinquish. Carroll capitalized on his double with a lead-off, solo shot in the seventh inning, to give the Indians a 6-3 lead.

The win makes it four of five wins for the Indians, who are playing like a house of fire now that they really are playing for nothing.

Don't tell that to Carroll, who is most definitely playing for a shot at the series, albeit with another team. Carroll, a free agent at the end of the year, could bring the Indians something for nothing. The Indians have no shot at signing Carroll as a utility next year since he makes too much money. Anything they get for him would be icing on the cake at this point. Carroll doesn't believe he'll be dealt, or at least that's what he wants everyone to believe. When asked about being traded after Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez were traded, he said,

"I guess I fit into that category, but usually when trades are made at this time of the year it's for a guy who comes in and plays. You've got Mark DeRosa, Carl Pavano, Victor Martinez. Everybody already has me, a utility player."

Carroll is exactly what teams need. Not only can he play nearly every position, but he can give you quality at bats as a starter over long stretches. After today's performance, don't be surprised to see Carroll playing somewhere else in the near future.

Isn't tomorrow an off day?

After Carroll, look for two other Indians to get a look before the postseason rosters have to be set on September 1st. Kerry Wood's massive contract doesn't make any sense for a team that doesn't figure to contend next year. There aren't many teams contending that need a closer, but he could be the icing on the cake for a team that needs a quality, back-end arm. I'm sure Wood wants to go somewhere else as well. Kelly Shoppach is also a guy that seems to be on his way out the door. Tampa Bay recently made a deal via waivers for Gregg Zaun of the Orioles. I'm not sure what that means with regards to Shoppach's availability or lack thereof, but I'm sure the Indians are either talking to a team that claimed him, or searching for a team to deal if he cleared waivers.

Can you trade a manager?

The ongoing saga of John Meloan and Wilson Abreu

2009-08-08T23:45:00.006-04:00

Lord knows I've spent the better part of a month bitching and moaning about the morons running the Indians. The dealing of a young arm in John Meloan for an old arm in Wilson Abreu was the prototype deal in the 'land of idiots' known as the Indians' front office.

Perhaps it was much ado about nothing.

The Indians had designated Abreu for assignment after three bad appearances. As expected, the former Rays reliever cleared waivers, and Cleveland offered him a minor-league deal to stay with the Tribe at triple A Columbus. Abreu chose instead to re-sign with the Rays this past Thursday.

Oh how I wanted to hammer Shapiro for giving up Meloan for nothing, which was accentuated by the Rays reacquiring the shabby player they dealt for the young hurler.

Leave it to the Rays to save Shapiro when they designated Meloan for assignment on Friday to make room on the 40-man roster for catcher Gregg Zaun. They had acquired Zaun earlier in the day in a waiver-induced trade with the Orioles. It's unknown if the Indians will try and sign or trade for their former reliever, and even a bigger unknown if Meloan will even want to return to the Indians.

It speaks volumes that Abreu would rather sign with the Rays than the rebuilding Indians. My how times have changed.

Pavano dealt to division rival

2009-08-08T17:26:00.004-04:00

The Cleveland Indians continued their major upheaval yesterday when they dealt Carl Pavano to the Minnesota Twins for another one of those players to be named later.

Pavano had started 21 games for the Tribe, going 9-8 in those starts (matching his 4-year win total with the Yankees), with a 5.37 ERA. Pavano struck out 88 and walked only 23 in 125 2/3 innings this year. He was the last remaining member of the Tribe staff with a clear shot at winning 10 games on the season. The next most wins on the roster. He was also scheduled to make a boatload more money with tonight's start with the Indians, had he made it.

Pavano was placed on waivers earlier this week and claimed by the Twins, and the Indians quickly worked out a deal with their division rival. To replace Pavano's roster slot, the Indians recalled Rafael Perez from triple A Columbus for his third stint with the Tribe.

Justin Masterson, who was acquired by the Tribe last week in a trade deadline deal involving Victor Martinez, will take over Pavano's slot in the rotation tonight against the White Sox. Masterson, who many thought wouldn't be starting for the Tribe until September, will be on a short leash tonight, taking the mound with a 60-65 pitch count. Likewise, Pavano will be on the hill against the Tigers tonight.

As for the player to be named, you know the drill. The Indians will have until September 1 to choose a player off a list that the Twins and Indians have been working on all week. Many are speculating that it's going to be a pedestrian player, but I'd be willing to bet that the Indians will get a player near the top five in the Twins organization. Shapiro has made a killing off deals like this, and I have no doubt he's done it again. It's about the only thing he's good at.

Pavano certainly wasn't a need on this current team, and dealing makes nothing but good future sense in a year that has made no sense at all.

Indians DFA Winston Abreu

2009-08-01T22:13:00.007-04:00

In one of the most confounding moves of the season, Mark Shapiro dealt away John Meloan on July 2, 2009 for a 32-year old reliever Winston Abreu. Adding more to the confusion, the Indians now have DFAed Abreu today, which essentially means they have 10 days to either work out a trade with another team, release him, or send him to Columbus if he should clear waivers.

Meloan was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers last year in the Casey Blake deal that also brought the Indians Carlos Santana. Meloan has a mid-90's fastball, and a whole bunch of upside. On a team that has a bad habit of signing cruddy relief pitchers, Meloan seemed like an incredible get for Blake, especially when you consider that certain guitar wielding catcher the acquired with him. Sure, Meloan has struggled for much of this season, but certainly the upside for the then 24-year old (turned 25 on July 11) far outweighed his half season struggles.

Unless you're named Mark Shapiro.

You have to question the trade based on the simple logic that Meloan was 24, had a live arm, and upside. Abreu has played with about half the teams in the majors, is 32, and was having one of those seasons that makes scouts scratch their heads. He was pitching too good for a pitcher that's been a whole lot of bad. He was suspended for three games as an Indian, and really bad in the only three games he pitched in (23.14 ERA after giving up six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings over three appearances).

The move made so little sense, that many figured that Abreu had to fit into some other trade scenario with either the Rays, or perhaps as a fill in for another trade involving Cliff Lee or Victor Martinez. It turned out that Abreu wasn't dealt, although it is potentially possible that he was supposed to be moved based on the fact that the Indians dfaed him the day after the deadline. Perhaps he was a door opener for Shapiro with the Rays, who were interested in acquiring both Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez. Shapiro may have been looking to soften the Rays by taking a lesser player with the hopes of springing some of their slew of prospects. If that was the case, it obviously didn't work.

Either way, the Indians dump Meloan for Abreu, which is slang for acquiring a large pile of dung. Chalk it up to another screw up in a growing list of man for GM Mark Shapiro. Whether or not Meloan fit into the future plans of the Tribe, it doesn't really make sense dumping a live relief arm when you are trying to acquire LIVE RELIEF ARMS.

Victor Martinez leaves "his house"

2009-07-31T18:55:00.003-04:00

Roll this one off of your tongue a couple of times: Victor Martinez was traded to the Boston Red Sox. Who the Indians got in return is nearly secondary, but for the record, the Indians brought in three more fireballers to add to their system. The 6'6", 250 lb, 24-year old Justin Masterson is the anchor to this trade for the Tribe, having spent the past two seasons mostly in the back-end of the Red Sox pen. Along with Masterson, the Tribe received two top-ten pitching prospects from the Sox in lefty Nick Hagadone and righty Bryan Price.

Who cares.

Anthony Castrovince reported earlier today that V-Mart spent the afternoon crying in front of his locker. I can't deny feeling the same way that he does.

I've followed this team since birth, and had to live through the teams of the 70's and 80's to get to the 90's. Now the thought of any amount of longevity with regards to losing is nearly too damn painful to even think about. The Indians have shed every noteworthy player on their team. Grady Sizemore remains, but you have to wonder what in the hell he is thinking at this point. Nice sales pitch to Grady, don't you think. "Don't worry Grady, stick it out, and we just might have a winner a couple years from now...maybe."

So now this team is an unknown commodity. There doesn't appear to be any hope for 2010, unless a slew of prospects can somehow surprise the hell out of the American League. Don't count on it. Perhaps 2011 is the year this team rebounds, but don't hold your breath.

Trust me...I haven't barely taken a breath in 37 years waiting...

Blue Light Special at V-Mart

2009-07-30T22:49:00.004-04:00

There's not much to mention on the V-Mart front, other than the fact that there has been a surprising silence since early this morning. The Rays apparently dropped out of talks with the Indians when Cliff Lee left the building. There were rumors that the Rays were willing to open up the coffers a bit to get both Lee and Martinez. V-Mart alone isn't nearly as enticing. The Red Sox have already apparently turned down a one-for-one deal that would have given the Indians Clay Buchholz. If they won't deal Buchholz, who has yet to find much success in the majors with any consistency, then I can't see a deal being made. The Mets also seem to be in the mix, especially with Omar Minaya under the gun. A deal for V-Mart could right the ship a bit for the bewildered GM. There are supposedly a few other teams knocking on the Indians door, but as of right now, nothing appears serious or imminent. As for the Indians...

I can't wait until 2011, can you? That's supposedly when the Indians will catch wind in the Mark Shapiro rebuild 2.0. Can't you feel it Cleveland? Grady Sizemore will be firmly in his prime, and about to play in his contract year. Matt LaPorta will be dominating the majors with his power. Michael Brantley will be making everyone forget about Kenny Lofton in the outfield, leading off and stealing bases at will. Carlos Santana will be busy playing the guitar, and becoming the next great catcher in the majors. Hector Rondon, Carlos Carrasco and David Huff will be three of the top starters in the majors. Jason Knapp will be knocking on the door as the top pitching prospect in baseball. Luis Valbuena and Asdrubal Cabrera will have developed into to top middle infield tandem in baseball. Andy Marte will be attempting to top 40 homers for the second season in a row.

Just close your eyes, you can almost see it, can't you?

Of course, for most of you, I had you at Grady Sizemore about to enter his contract year. Sure, he'll be in his prime alright. He'll be prime pickings for Shapiro to dump him for several prospects that will allow the Indians to spin perennially into the abyss of rebuilds that will likely occur under the constraints of the Dolans and the economic marketplace.

Will there ever be lightning in a bottle for this team? Maybe, but I know it's getting less and less fun waiting for it to happen.

More on the VMart watch tomorrow...

Cliff Lee-ving

2009-07-29T22:44:00.005-04:00

Cliff Lee has left the building, as the Cleveland Indians traded their ace to the Philadelphia Phillies for AAA RHP Carlos Carrasco, SS Jason Donald, C Lou Marson, and RHP Jason Knapp. I'm left...strangely...numb.

There was no doubt something afoot last night, when the Indians and the Phillies discussions for the Tribe lefty heated up. The Indians spent a bit of time last season rooting through the Phillies minor league organization before they dealt CC Sabathia to the Brewers. Nothing the Phillies had to offer, including Carlos Carrasco, interested Mark Shapiro enough to seriously consider the City of Brother Love as possible suitors. My how things have changed.

Lee leaving is a near-final admission by the Dolans and Shapiro that the Cleveland Indians are long done for 2010. Shapiro's rebuild 1.0 is a complete and utter failure, with the peak coming in 2007, one game from the world series, and the gutter coming, well, take your pick.

The deal is staggering, in that it hinges on a 19-year old power pitcher in single A ball who was shut down this year because of a sore arm. Jason Knapp has the capability of topping out in the upper-90's. He also has injury concerns, and we all know how (Adam Miller) upside (Adam Miller) can (Adam Miller) sometimes (Adam Miller) go (Adam Miller) down (Adam Miller) the (Adam Miller) drain. Young power pitchers aren't a dime a dozen, but blown out arms are. Giving up Lee with this kid being the anchor of the deal is a monster risk for a club that has proven it can't take the next step once they HAVE players that can win a series.

The rest of the deal is a pure head scratcher.

Carlos Carrasco has a big arm, but has been lit-up by triple A pitching this year, and many scouts have questioned his head. Lou Marson is a catcher. He's a freakin' catcher. THEY TRADED FOR A FREAKIN' CATCHER? Sure, Victor Martinez will likely leave Cleveland in the next 48 hours, making Marson a likely fill-in. He's top five in the Phillies organization, so he's no slouch behind the plate. Here's the thing. Don't the Indians have Carlos Santana, Wyatt Toregas, Chris Gimenez and Kelly Shoppach? Now they have one more...for a Cy Young award winner with numbers in the ballpark of Roy Halladay. Oh yeah, they have Jason Donald, a SS that many can't figure out where he may play. He could be a second baseman, or a shortstop, or maybe he could play third base. Nice. They picked up a utility guy.

Oh, I'm sure I'll have to stomach some morons talking about how the Indians are a small-mid market team, and that this was the best they could do under the circumstances. That's garbage. Lee was a cheap asset over the next 1 1/2 years, and they had plenty of time to shop him for a package that might include the likes of a player like Kyle Drabek or Domonic Brown or Michael Taylor, who most, including the Blue Jays, considered the three potential gets that were guarantees for the majors. The Indians couldn't get a single one of them.

Well done Shapiro.

The best part about it is that the Indians not only gave up Lee for the package of overrated garbage, but they had to give up Ben Francisco as well. Now, I'm not sad to see Francisco and his fourth outfielder stats gone, but it's funny that the Indians had to give up TWO players for their less than standard haul. It's like shooting a dog in the neck with a BB gun, then kicking him in the ass on his way out the door. I could get into the Francisco piece, but at least this should get Matt LaPorta up to the big club, so I'll just leave it alone. I guess keeping Francisco as insurance for Grady's injury was like everything else Shapiro spews out of his mouth.

You know, I get this team is constrained by the market. I get it. The problem I have is that unless they align every planet, and every prospect works out in the next five years or so, this team will never win a series. The ONLY way to win is to spend when you are on the precipice. No, the team may fail to make money for a few seasons, but a World Series trophy would certainly curtail that. The Indians mantra continues to be "just not enough."

Shapiro was jerkin' everyone around today, mumbling about how this team was better off than when he took over in 2002. You've got to love the irony. The Indians are hunting for a future ace, by trading away an ace. Make that two.

See you around Cliff...

More tomorrow after the Indians deal Victor Martinez for a can of corn.

Great posts one the article at Tony Lastoria's Indians Prospect Insider and Paul Cousineau's The Diatribe. Here's another from Paul as well.

Indians deal Ryan who?

2009-07-28T21:48:00.005-04:00

Let's be honest Tribe fans, there aren't going to be many that actually miss Ryan Garko now that he's been traded to the San Francisco Giants. It's not that Garko hasn't been productive, because there have been moments in Tribe-land in which Garko was the most productive player on the team. Unfortunately for the lumbering first baseman, most of that production has come at a time when the Indians have done their best impression of their pre-90's selves. Garko always seemed to be the guy who played like he was wearing a 200 lb weight when there was any sort of pressure on him. Consider Garko Paul Sorrento. Unfortunately for Garko, the Indians of his generation won a whole lot less than Sorrento's.

Luckily for Cleveland, they were able to "sell high" in acquiring Scott Barnes from the San Francisco Giants. Barnes isn't a sure thing by any stretch of the equation, but certainly provides the Indians with a big upside in the future. The bonus is that they essentially acquired the well-thought-of lefty for a guy in Garko that certainly didn't figure into their future.

So what does that mean for the future of the Indians? Certainly Matt LaPorta is likely earmarked for the Indians in some form or fashion in the coming weeks. LaPorta is the elephant that enters any room when there's any sort of roster shuffling. Surprisingly enough, LaPorta won't be the first guy called up.

Why? Can you believe that Andy Marte is still/back in/actually in the picture? I don't really know what it is about this guy. Since the Indians have dealt for Marte 3 1/2 years ago for Coco Crisp, he has proven many scouts right in being nothing more than a AAAA minor league player. Let's face facts, he hasn't even been that good. Marte has struggled to find any sort of rhythm, and has gone from a top major league prospect to a massive hole in whatever lineup he enters.

Enter 2009, with Marte out of options and likely out of Cleveland in nearly every rumor mill talking about him earlier this year. Cleveland thought so little of him that they left him off their 40-man roster. MLB thought so little of him that not a single team claimed him. Back to the minors he went, but likely for a short period of time, with the Indians laced with corner prospects. What's he done since the start of the season in triple-A Columbus? How about making a run at the International league triple crown (2nd in homers and rbi, and third in average). Unfortunately for Marte, he won't get to fulfill his triple crown threats, as he finds himself in Cleveland for one last opportunity to make the club.

Ryan Garko couldn't stick with the Indians because he could perform when he needed to most. The only question now is, can Marte?

If he can, the Indians will be the better for it.

2007-08 Cleveland Cavalier Season Preview

2007-10-11T13:26:00.000-04:00

Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Years Record: 50-32, Finished 2nd in NBA Central Division

Key Losses: Anderson Varejao (?), Sasha Pavlovic (?), Scot Pollard, David Wesley--Let's be fair here...Varejao and Pavs are holding out, but not on the roster...so until they do...they are losses. Frankly...they can stay lost or be dealt for all I care--Pollard and Wesley were non-existant as Cavaliers...so they are hardly KEY LOSSES.

Key Additions: Devin Brown, Cedric Simmon (both from New Orleans)

1. What significant moves were made during the offseason?

Let's be honest...I could have kept this blank. Danny Ferry managed to do nothing. You can insert reason here...as to why...but the truth of the matter is that nobody knows. Is owner Dan Gilbert having money problems? Is Danny Ferry a lame-brained moron? Did Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic's misguided hold-outs handcuff Ferry's potential moves? Whatever the reason, Cleveland failed to improve upon a team that followed the yellow brick road to the NBA Finals. OH, they tried to trade for Mike Bibby, and a few other players...but ultimately nothing happened. I'm pretty sure that the reason they DIDN'T make a deal is because Drew Gooden is more valued by the Cavs brass than anyone ever thought. Call it because of Varejao, they just didn't want to deal Gooden. This is probably a good thing in the long run.

Sure, Cleveland ultimately signed Devin Brown and Cedric Simmons a couple of weeks ago. Who are they? Exactly. They can be decent players, but they aren't difference makers. Cleveland needs to break down these talks with Pavs and Varejao at REASONABLE pay, and get moving on the season.

There also needs to be a move at some point to improve this offense.

Ultimately, the most significant MOVE of the offseason may be sending Larry Hughes to Mark Price for some pointers on his shot. Hopefully it will pay off, and Hughes can find his shooting touch that's so eluded him in his Tribe tenure.

2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?

Okay, let's get the obvious out of the way...

LeBron James. What he brings to a team need not be mentioned because you all know what it is. If he's not the best player in the NBA, he will be, and he's still not near how good he'll be. That's to come in the next few years. Look for an improved outside game to take shape this year, which will continue LeBron's journey towards daily dominance. LeBron's defense should also see an improvement, but without help in the paint from Varejao and his charges...this could turn into a struggle.

Struggle defensively generally turns players into lazy defenders...

Past LeBron, and with Varejao and Pavs not here, it's hard to list another strength. Their defense is overrated (it is...sorry). Yeah, their regular season D was wonderful...and in the first three rounds of the playoffs as well. But you could see in the finals, that when it counted...it was garbage. Without Pavs and Varejao, it will be even moreso. When Cleveland would play teams that could score WITH THEIR DEPTH...they struggled for the most part. It will be much worse this year, even with optimum performances from their current roster.

Cleveland can also still be a good rebounding team, although not having Varejao will hurt. It's not QUITE a strength without the holdouts out there, but as close as you can get. Those seven boards a game off the bench WAS a big deal.

Boobie and Shannon Brown. I think this duo is underrated...in their roles of course.

Talking about last season's stats really aren't applicable without Varejao and Pavs around.

3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?

Take your pick. Let's start with outside shooting. Donyell Marshall is a power forward who thinks he can shoot. After two years of pulling my hair out, I can safely say he's done as a player. One good game out of 20 isn't a good percentage. Damon Jones is a freakin' whiny little idiot. The self-proclaimed "Best shooter in the world," is just a bust. He can't shoot as advertised. Gibson is an unknown, but looks like he's got a shot, but as a soph this year, it's hard to tell what is standard, and what's not. Overall offense is the stare at LeBron show. Why? THEIR OFFENSE IS HORRIBLE. Mike Brown doesn't know how to coach it, and didn't hire anyone to help him do it. Speaking of Mike Brown, I think his defense is overrated, and his offense is non-existant. He's personable for sure...but let me know when that wins big games against actual good teams consistently.

What about the point guard situation? Eric Snow sucks, and he's hurt anyways. Larry Hughes doesn't want too...does want too...doesn't want too...does want too. Who freakin' knows what he wants or doesn't want, but until he proves it, he doesn't. Boobie might be able to roll with this...but I still think he's a roll player from the outside. I hope I'm wrong.

4. What are the goals for this team?

There is only one goal, and that is to win the NBA title...period...end of story.

I don't know how achievable it is as of yet. Cedric Simmons reinjured his high ankle sprain, and it doesn't look like we can put a roster together as good as last year's...which stinks because we needed a BETTER roster than last year to actually have a shot at this thing.

Still, LeBron wants a championship...and I can tell you this...

Last year taught me NEVER to doubt LeBron...

Is their first NBA title on the horizon? It may actually be closer than you think.

5. Which player will step up this season to offer LeBron James the support he needs to win a title?

Look...you can just forget the Damon Jones' and the DMarsh's. They are done...toast...finished.

So let's get to it:

Boobie Gibson: I don't know...I think in the right roll, this kid can be special. He did it in the playoffs last year, and has done NOTHING to prove that he can't do it over the long haul. I just don't know though. Is he a point guard? Is he a short shooting guard? He he just the guy that steps in no matter what? Either way, I think he'll improve.

Shannon Brown: He did nothing last year...so my bet is he improves on that. Still, I'm not sure where a Larry Hughes clone makes the team better. Rumor has it he can defend, and he has the eye of the coaches because of his work ethic. Let's hope this pays off.

Larry Hughes: I know...I said it...Larry 'freakin' Hughes. He will improve. He just will...trust me. He'll find his role, and stay healthy. He may even make Amar like the guy.

I think we'll have a bunch of improvement...from players we may have not expected it from.

Predicted Record: 50-32...again. It's hard to see this team improving without new players, but then again...how many teams have THE player...that would be one...The Cleveland Cavs.

Don't count them out just yet.

Proof-Positive that Danny Ferry and the Cavaliers are Insane

2007-09-03T12:55:00.000-04:00

The Cleveland Cavaliers have done absolutely nothing since they surprised the NBA in getting the the NBA finals. There have been no signings, including their two restricted free agents, Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao. There have been no trades, with Mike Bibby’s name at the top of nearly every list of possible deals the Cavs have thought of.
There have been rumblings, including New Jersey, Washington and Golden State, but they all have proved to be just that….rumblings. We’ve gone through the gambit of wanting the Cavs to do something…ANYTHING…just to make the game of basketball relevant again. More importantly, the Cavs have watched their contemporaries improve, some dramatically (see Boston and Orlando). Still, Cleveland does nothing.

***Click the Title, or RIGHT HERE to see the complete article at MVN's Cavalier Attitude***

Game 136: White Sox Shut Out Indians Win Streak

2007-09-03T12:50:00.000-04:00

The Cleveland Indians had their eight game winning streak ended abruptly, as the Chicago White Sox and Jose Contreras shut out the Tribe 8-0. It just wasn’t pretty.
Jake Westbrook, the hottest Tribe starter (and that is saying something), gave up 11-hits in his five innings against the American League’s worst hitting teams. He gave up only four runs, three of them earned. He was a fighter last night, but repeatedly left his pitches up high. He’s most effective with the slider low, and he just didn’t have it consistently. I like this pitching staff because it wins. But more than that, this staff is loaded with guys that can make bad situations not so much. If the offense had been there early, Westbrook did enough to keep the Tribe in the game.

***Click the Title, or RIGHT HERE to see the complete article at MVN***

Game 135: Cleveland’s Byrd Baffles White Sox for Complete Game Shutout

2007-09-02T05:35:00.000-04:00

How good was Paul Byrd today? Up until A.J. Pierzinski walked in the eighth inning, Paul Byrd faced the minimum batters. After Jerry Owens was caught stealing in the fourth inning on a perfect throw by Byrd battery-mate Kelly Shoppach, Byrd retired the next 12 batters in a row. He was that good.
With the 7-0 complete game shutout over the White Sox, Byrd’s second this year, Byrd moved to 14-5. He has won his last four starts, and seven of his past eight. He has walked 23 batters…not during that span, BUT THE WHOLE SEASON. Of all the Tribe starters, he has the highest winning percentage, to go along with second on the team in wins, with fourteen. He’s tied with Fausto. Now, raise your hand if at the beginning of the season, you thought Fausto and Byrd would have 28 wins combined on September 1st. Okay, now those of you that have your hands up…put them down liars. Sure, Byrd has his bad outings, but in between those rare occurances, Byrd has been an exceptional pitcher this season. He’s been much better than his 4.19 ERA suggests. Byrd is as old school as you get, and you can tell that the Indians want to win for him. Sure, they want to win for all the others as well, but there’s something about Byrd that maybe makes the team buckle down even more. Maybe it’s the old-school windup. Maybe it’s the old school jersey pants that only go down to the knees. Maybe it’s the way he throws strikes. Whatever it is, Cleveland scores for Byrd, and when he pitches like he does tonight, it makes for an easy win.

***For the rest of this article at MVN's Tribe Report, click the title, or RIGHT HERE***

Cleveland Calls Up Four Players from Buffalo

2007-09-02T05:31:00.000-04:00

September 1 means september call-ups, and the Indians called up four players to help during the stretch run. Ben Francisco was recalled to play some outfield for Cleveland. He had a pretty successful year when he was brought up earlier, and certainly has the skills to stay with the big club. There just isn’t any room. Mike Koplove was brought up to help the Indians in the pen. Koplove started his career with Arizona. Cleveland picked him up this season, and he’s been solid in Buffalo. He was 4-2 with 14 saves in 51 appearances there. He was up briefly with the Tribe Cliff Lee was also brought back for a spot in the bullpen pitching long relief, as well as making some spot starts to give the starters some rest. Luis Rivas was more than a bit of a surprise. Rivas was signed at the beginning of the season to compete for the utility slot. He lost out to Mike Rouse. I can’t quite figure out why they brought up Rivas, and he wasn’t on the 40-man roster. Since the 40-man roster is full, Cleveland will have to take someone off. Stay tuned for who that is over the next day or two.

Click the Title, or right here for more on Tribe Happenings at MVN's Tribe Report

Game 134: Cleveland Agitates Ozzie G with Big Comback Victory

2007-09-02T05:26:00.000-04:00

The sure thing every year in the American League Central is that at some point, Ozzie Guillen is going to blow up on his club…more than once. This past week was no exception, as he hammered his Sox for their pathetic play. There is some speculation that Guillen’s style has worn thin with his players, and management, and that he may find himself out of a job if the White Sox don’t find a way to win over the last month of the season.

Cleveland was only happy to add to the anguish.

To read this article in its entirety at MVN's 'Tribe Report,' click the title, or right here.

LeBron James’ FIBA Perfection

2007-09-01T23:29:00.000-04:00

I haven’t posted anything at Cavalier Attitude about LeBron James and Team USA’s quest to win the FIBA America’s Olympic Qualifier. There’s a really good reason.

I could care a less.

Actually, that’s not true. I do care. As much as I want to see LeBron James wearing the Red, White and Blue in the Olympics, I DON’T want to see King James rolling into the regular season looking like he’s spent the summer running triathalons. So pardon me if the US’s run through the Uraguay’s, US Virgin Islands, and Caribean West Indies South Central doesn’t excite me.

Click the title, or here to read more about LeBron "burn-out," and the his "perfect game at MVN's Cavalier Attitude

Ohio State Rolls Over Youngstown State

2007-09-01T19:04:00.000-04:00

Rare is the day that you call a 38-6 thumping a favor when you are the team that scored six points. Still, you have to think that the Youngstown State Penguins spent a lot of Saturday thanking their former coach and athletic director, Jim Tressel for giving them the opportunity to play the Ohio State Buckeyes. Not only will the game get YSU some nice bank, but it will also give their program some nice exposure, not that Tressel hadn’t already done that in winning four I-AA national championships there in his years before Ohio State.

***Click Story Title, or here for the entire article at MVN***

The Spurs EDUCATE the Cavs

2007-06-07T23:40:00.001-04:00

There's no way around it. There really isn't a whole lot of analyzing that needs to be done here. San Antonio played well enough to win on offense, and fantastic defense, in particular on Lebron.

I don't have the stats sitting here in front of my, but Lebron was terrible tonight, I think 4 for 16, and I completely commend the Spurs. Here's what they did, and it's so simple, it's sickening. Whenever Cleveland were there to set picks for him, San Antonio would step out. Detroit stepped out as well...but San Antonio STEPPED OUT, and got big. What it took away was Lebron hitting the pick, and driving right around the pick for a layup. He didn't try to split the double, and I saw Mike Brown say it to him several times.

Popovich said, "We maintained our intensity defensively for 48 minutes, and that's what got us through the night."

On offense, Tony Parker was just absolutely impressive. Cleveland had to figure out how to stop him, and they didn't. That opened up the late run for the Spurs, that saw the perimeter open up for Ginobli, Bowen, and Parker himself. Duncan, of course, was the silent assassin. I was hoping Varejao would get under his skin, but he didn't.

San Antonio outrebounded Cleveland by 11, which was huge, and just plain outhustled the Cavs tonight.

The good? You take away the third quarter that saw the Spurs build a near 20 point lead, and the Cavs are right in the game, without Lebron playing well, with Z non-existant, and not shooting well from the outside. If Lebron steps it up, and the Cavs can find a way to open up the inside for Gooden and Z, this series should get interesting.

The first battle goes to the Spurs...but this series is just getting started.