OK, Now I Am Worried...

Rumor has it that the Yankees are entertaining signing Manny Ramirez.

Now I am concerned!

Manny is probably the most dysfunctional superstar in all of sports today.

Think of the fit he would be in New York!

He would put the zoo back into the Bronx Zoo.

He would be the final "individual" to make this team the most dysfunctional winner since the Swingin' A's of the '70s. You remember them, they swung at everything, including each other!

The only saving grace is that Manny may not be able to handle life in New York. As a young player with the Indians, Manny made his first trip there and started showing up on the sides of milk cartons. It seems partying with family and friends in the grand city took precedence over playing baseball. He showed up a few days later dazed and confused.

But that was the start of Manny being Manny and he certainly has matured since then, hasn't he?

Well, I fear that if the Yanks sign Manny, that may be the final piece to their best team that money can buy.

Time will tell...

Big Deal, We Still Beat The Yankees!

Mark Teixeira signs with the Yankees ...

We still beat 'em!

Merry Christmas!

The Best Team Money Can Buy?....NOT!

Associated Press writer Ronald Blum recently had a story published exalting the New York Yankees for their "acqui$ition" of pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett in a story titles, "Yankees get the last laugh."
We will see who gets the last laugh.
Add as many abreviated first names as you want.
Perhaps the Yankees are not done spending money to buy what they think is the best team that money can buy. I think it was the Tigers last year that made similar acquisitions and the baseball world is still waiting for that team to start playing ball.
We probably need to take a wait and see approach but right now, I believe that the Yankees have spent a ton of money and they still may not make the playoffs.
After the smoke of the winter meetings has cleared, it will be easier to sort out and evaluate the haves and the have nots. I don't care.
I am saying that right now, the Indians beat the Yankees in 2009 season head to head play.
I am saying that right now, the Indians reach the playoffs in 2009, the Yankees may not...again!
I am not impressed, not at all, and definitely not like Ronald Blum.
I say, "Bring on the Yankees!"

A New Bronx Bomber...

Good luck to CC Sabathia in New York, except when he is playing against the Cleveland Indians. Oh, and also when he is pitching to put the Yankees in contention to make the 2009 playoffs.

Oh, but really good luck to him when he is pitching against a Central Division foe; White Sox, Tigers, Royals, and Twins.

I like CC and wish him well but I am not worried about facing him. The Cleveland Indians will beat CC Sabathia. I hope the Yankees do not make the playoffs again in 2009 but if they do, I hope we play them and I hope we face CC.

We have the "privilege" of being the team that opens the new Yankee Stadium on April 16th. I hope we face CC Sabathia.

Good luck to you CC. Cleveland still loves ya, but we love our Indians first!

Well, I'm Still Waiting To Be "Wowed!"

Joe Smith and Luis Valbuena?

For Gutierrez?

Signing Kerry Wood?

Hmmm!

Lots of what ifs.

At least there is movement and life this year!

But did we give up on Gutierrez too early in his career?

Should we have gotten more?

Will Kerry stay healthy?

Hmmm!

Did we improve?

Probably, but I'm still not wowed.

What About Jamey Carroll?

As the Tribe brass heads off to the winter meetings, reports are swirling that Jhonny Peralta is doing well at 3rd base in the Dominican Winter League. So tops on their list is a closer and a 2nd baseman. Casey Blake will more than likely accept the offer from the Twins. He will fit so good in that gutsy blue collar team. With Andy Marte still picking splinters out of his behind, that leaves 3rd base wide open for Peralta to claim.

Shouldn't Shapiro concentrate on a dominant closer as well as another starter? Keep in mind Jake Westbrook will be starting the season on the DL. Jamey Carroll is a great fit at 2nd base. His batting average last season was the 3rd highest of active Cleveland players at .277. His OBP was 4th at .355. He is an exciting player that gives the game his all. He is a good contact hitter with a strong strikeout and base on balls ratio to at bats. He is a slick fielder as well.

Now comes the thud. I still hold to the theory that Grady Sizemore would be much more valuable to the Cleveland Indians in the second spot in the line-up. If Carroll was in the lead off spot, Sizemore batting lefty would naturally hit behind the runner and also reduce his strikeouts. With his growing power, many a game could begin 2-0 Tribe with no outs.

We also have Josh Barfield who has been an under achiever. It is time for Barfield to put up the numbers on offense he is capable of.

Focus on pitching at the winter meeting. Unless an absolute can't pass up deal floats by, we have the field set with Sizemore, Choo, and Francisco in the outfield and Martinez, Carroll, Cabrera, Peralta, and Shoppach in the infield.

Go for the pitching, Shapiro!