The Indians have played almost a weeks worth of exhibition games (note that baseball doesn’t call them pre-season games), and although the regulars are still playing only five or six innings per outing, there are some interesting developments happening in lovely Winter Haven, FL.  The Tribe’s roster is virtually set, but there are battles for one spot in the bullpen and the utility infielder job is up for grabs as well.  Here are some thoughts:

 

Hector Luna is playing and eating his way off the roster.  He showed up to camp not in the shape the Indians requested, and he has been booting balls all over the Grapefruit League.  Eric Wedge and Mark Shapiro want the squad’s utility man to be able to play an acceptable shortstop in case Jhonny Peralta has defensive issues again in 2007.  Luna, who probably has the best bat of the candidates, is not demonstrating the glove needed to play SS.  It appears the early leaders are Mike Rouse, picked up on waivers at the end of last season from Oakland, and Luis Rivas, the former Twins’ second baseman.  Rouse is a SS by trade, so he has the edge.  However, a deal could still be made before the end of camp.

 

Fernando Cabrera gave up a two run home run in yesterday’s game against the Yankees to Kevin Reese.  Cabrera is a guy who has to drive the front office and manager crazy, much like fellow right hander Jason Davis.  Cabrera has ungodly stuff, but can’t throw strikes, an important quality for a successful reliever.  He did very well down the stretch in 2005, but struggled early last season after pitching in the World Baseball Classic.  When Cabrera gets ahead of hitters, he is lethal.  He needs to do that on a consistent basis to reach his full potential as a dominant late inning reliever.

 

Trot Nixon’s back is allowing Shin-Soo Choo to get some extra at bats, but what puzzles me is why are people bent out of shape about the Indians platooning at several possessions.  Isn’t it foolish to play guys against pitchers they have no success against?  Earl Weaver is a Hall of Fame manager and he would platoon at different positions all the time.  He used to use John Lowenstein and Gary Roenicke in LF and the two combined for 35 HR’s one year.  Using players like this is not the sign of a bad ballclub.  It’s maximizing your talent!  It’s smart baseball, and the best managers in baseball (Weaver, Stengel, LaRussa, Lopez, etc.) use it.

 

The first TV broadcasts from Winter Haven start this weekend and if that doesn’t make it feel like spring is near, then you aren’t a baseball fan.  Opening Day is less than a month away. 

 

MW

 

 

 

 

 

At the All Star break, many NBA observers were saying that LeBron James was not playing up to the spectacular pace he had set in his first three years in the league.  He looked tired, disinterested, perhaps injured.  He didn’t look like the same player who took the NBA by storm since coming out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.  Since returning from Las Vegas however, The King is back, and with a vengence.

 

In the six games since the All Star weekend, James has averaged 32.8 points per game, scoring at least 29 in each of those contests.  He is shooting 52.9%, and still finding time to get 5 rebounds and 5 assists per night in those outings.  The only negative is the wine and gold’s 3-3 record in that span.  The losses were to three playoff teams in the Heat, Bulls, and the team with the league’s best record, the Dallas Mavericks. 

 

Some talking heads on ESPN suggested that LeBron perhaps is treating the season like he did playoff games last spring.  That is to say, he laid low in the first half before taking over the games in the second half.  Based on the these first six games after the break, it’s hard to argue that point.  Not only is his production up, but his style of play has changed as well.  He’s brought back the attacking James we saw in his first three years.  He’s taking the ball to the hoop on a more consistent basis, and that’s the best part of his game.  Hopefully, this trend continues for the rest of the campaign.

 

Another good thing we saw this weekend was first round draft pick Shannon Brown getting some playing time.  It took an injury to Daniel Gibson for it to happen, but Brown received some meaningful minutes against the Mavs and Raptors.  He actually played three days in a row because the Cavs sent him to play one game in the D League on Friday.  Maybe Coach Mike Brown finally had enough of David Wesley when he clanked a lay up off the bottom of the backboard in Dallas.

 

The emerging problem that is Drew Gooden continues to be puzzling.  The starting power forward’s production continues to wane.  Gooden is scoring just 4.5 points a night since the All Star game.  He has picked off 7 rebounds per game, but 13 of them were in the first game back after the break against the Raptors.  He is being outplayed on a nightly basis by Anderson Varajao.  The Brazilian is a better defender, better rebounder, and more consistent.  Why isn’t he in the starting line up?  The only thing I can think of is superstition, which isn’t a very good reason.

 

Here’s hoping the Cavs don’t get three point happy after they shot the lights out from behind the line on Saturday night.  This team functions better when they get the ball inside, not when they play one pass and then a three pointer.  Donyell Marshall has had maybe two nights this year when he was on fire with the three ball.  That’s two games out of 57.  Not a real good percentage.  The wine and gold need to put their last game behind them when the take the floor against the Rockets tonight.  Houston blew out the Nuggets in Denver last week, so they are not a team who fears playing on the road.  The Cavs need to get some momentum going, and they can start the wheels in motion with a solid performance tonight.

 

JK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The NFL free agency period started this morning, and with the Steelers’ release of linebacker Joey Porter, speculation has started that the Cleveland Browns are interested in the former All Pro.  Here’s hoping that Phil Savage resists the temptation to sign him.

 

The recent success of teams like the Steelers and Patriots is based on their uncanny decisions of knowing when a player is just about through, and the release of that player that soon follows.  Those teams have had sustained winning due to excellent use of their cap space.  That cap management comes from not overpaying players who have lost a step, thus maintaining payroll flexibility. 

 

Since the Steelers are pretty good in the talent evaluation game, they must see the same thing many veteran NFL observers saw in 2006:  Porter is not the player he once was.  Thus they looked to replace him.

 

The Browns signed a similar player prior to last season, this one let go by the Patriots.  His name is Willie McGinest.  McGinest didn’t play up to his former All Pro level, was nicked up most of the year, and didn’t have the impact on the field the Browns thought he might have.  If McGinest was the difference maker in putting a team into the playoffs, it would be a good acquisition.  However, for a team trying to build to a winning season from a 6-10 mark in 2005, he was not the answer.

 

At 29 years old, Porter is rapidly becoming an average Joe as a starting linebacker, not a difference maker.  GM Phil Savage needs to add younger players in free agency.  He needs to get guys who still have several years of high production remaining in his career.  For instance, players like Eric Steinbach or Nate Clements.  Players who will still be high achievers when the brown and orange can make a playoff run in 2008 or 2009.

 

If Porter declines this season like he did from 2005 to 2006, he likely will become a locker room liability.  Romeo Crennel and his staff don’t need that kind of headache heading into a make or break year.

 

Right now, who has a better track record for evaluating talent:  The Steelers or The Browns?  I think most would agree it’s the team wearing black and gold.  They think Joey Porter doesn’t have enough left.  I’ll go with their judgment.  The Browns should stay away from Joey Porter. 

 

JD