In GM Mark Shapiro’s year end "State of the Tribe" address, he indicated that the ballclub’s needs were limited to the bullpen and second base.  He talked that the offense, which finished 2nd in baseball in runs scored did not need any tinkering. 

 

The bullpen is the biggest need, undoubtedly.  My belief is rather than chase a closer who is not available, the Indians should stock up on established set up men, one of which could become the guy who gets the final three outs.  This year’s Tribe blew more games in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings than in the final frame.  The early part of the season, when the campaign went south by the way, the problem was not Bob Wickman, it was getting to him.  Getting three experienced set up men (who have pitched and been successful in the American League) should be the biggest priority.

 

Second base is the next item for consideration, and no I don’t want Ronnie Belliard back.  He turns the double play well, but his range is mediocre, that’s why he plays in short right field.  Swinging a trade for Orlando Hudson would be a great idea, since he is a gold glove defender and has a little pop in his bat.  Otherwise, Shapiro should get a one year stop gap and plan on Trevor Crowe making the transition to the keystone in 2008.

 

However, even though the club scored a ton of runs in 2006, the offense needs to be addressed.  This team strikes out way, way, way, too much.  It lead the AL in whiffs.  Had Casey Blake not been injured this past season, the Tribe would have had five regular fan 100 times (Peralta, Sizemore, Hafner, Michaels, and Blake).  To me, that’s one reason this team loses close games.  It can’t do the little things at the plate because they don’t make good enough contact. 

 

I’m not talking about bunting.  That play is way overrated.  I’m talking about stealing runs early in games with ground balls and other outs.  Early in games, especially in the AL, defenses play back giving you free runs.  If the batter strikes out, the offense doesn’t take advantage.  That missing run can come back to haunt a team later in the game. 

 

Shapiro needs to get a professional hitter to bat after Travis Hafner.  Alfonso Soriano is NOT that guy.  Carlos Lee would be perfect, but will be too expensive.  Perhaps a hitter in the last years of his deal is out there and the Tribe can steal him for a year or two. 

 

Yes, the bullpen and 2B are the chief needs for the Tribe.  But ignoring the striking out problem on offense is like burying your head in the sand.  I don’t regard Mark Shapiro as an ostrich.

 

MW

 

Watching the Browns’ game yesterday, I turned to my wife early in the third quarter and told her the Browns would win the game.  Keep in mind Cleveland was trailing 21-10 at the time.  The reason for my optimism was the way the guys with the orange helmets were dominating the contest.  The Raiders scored on a horrible fumble call and a long run by LaMont Jordan.  Otherwise, the Browns controlled the contest. 

 

Early on the third down bugaboo came back for the Browns’ defense.  They would force Oakland into third and long situations and not be able to get off the field by allowing a first down.  However, as the game went on the defense got better.  In fact, Cleveland defenders held the silver and black to 4 out of 12 in third down situations.  Offensively, the Browns went 8 for 15 in these situations, which means the Raider defense had to stay on the field. 

 

The defense figured things out and overcame the loss of arguably its best player, Leigh Bodden to an ankle injury.  Coordinator Todd Grantham took advantage of facing a young QB by blitzing him constantly.  First round pick Kamerion Wimbley continues to impress sacking Andrew Walter twice.  Simon Fraser keeps making plays as he picked up a sack as well.  And it appears that Butch Davis left us at least two good players (Winslow) as Sean Jones had an interception and keeps playing well at safety.

 

The offense kept getting the ball to its best players, especially after Maurice Carthon rediscovered Kellen Winslow in the second half.  Winslow made the key catch of the game on a 4th and 8 early in the third quarter to continue a drive that resulted in his own TD.  Braylon Edwards caught six balls, and Reuben Droughns had his first 100 yard game of the season.  The only real negative was Frye’s horrible interception late in the fourth quarter.  Experience will tell Charlie to throw those away in the future. 

 

Joe Jurevicius returned to the lineup and scored his first touchdown in a Browns uniform.  I would be remiss if the special teams weren’t mentionned.  Joshua Cribbs had two long kickoff returns and Dennis Norhtcutt almost took a punt back the distance too.  All three returns were major factors in the comeback. 

 

Now, everyone must realize that Cleveland may have played the worst team in the NFL yesterday.  The Raiders are god awful, and it doesn’t help that their supposed best player, Randy Moss phoned one in yesterday.  Next week will be a different story as they take on the Carolina Panthers, one of the better teams in the NFC.  Romeo Crennel’s guys will have to continue to improve or they will be blown out.  But, some good things are starting to show for the Browns.

 

If he stays healthy, Winslow will be the second Brown to make the Pro Bowl since 1999.  Edwards is living up to his #3 pick in the draft status.  Frye is a gutty leader who can make plays.  On defense, players like Wimbley, Jones, and Bodden could give the orange and brown three legitimate defensive stars.  The Browns have now played two good games and two stinkers.  The three teams they lost to have combined records of 10-2.  It’s not like they are losing to the Titans or the 49ers.  Maybe some good things are on the horizon.

 

One thing is for sure.  This team needs the bye week to heal up some key players for the rest of the season.

 

JD