Tribe and Cavs On Today's Docket

A little baseball and a little basketball on tap today as the Tribe splits in Texas and a rumor involving the Cavaliers is out there as the NBA Finals start last night and the draft is less than three weeks away—

Indians.  We have been vehement is saying the main problem with this baseball team has been the offense, but the bullpen is most definitely the runner up.  Yesterday, there was a report that Rafael Betancourt was suffering from some back stiffness, which is why Jensen Lewis did not go back to Buffalo right away.  After last night’s performance against the Rangers, don’t be surprised if the right-hander goes on the disabled list before tonight’s series opener against Detroit.

It would be nice if the Tribe would call up a lefty reliever if they have to make a move today.  Rich Rundles is 5-2 with a 3.42 ERA and hitters are batting just .213 against him at Buffalo.  And he’s a southpaw, which the Indians need unless they are interested in seeing Rafael Perez’s arm fall off from overuse at some point in August or September.  Perez has pitched in almost half of the Tribe’s games, and he has not been used as a situational lefty, just facing one batter. 

Of course, you may remember Cleveland had a second left-hander in the bullpen.  His name was Craig Breslow, and he is now with the division rival Minnesota Twins, meaning the Indians will see him when they return home next week.  This next part is even crazier, they are actually using him, and if you watch Minnesota box scores, he is pitching all right.  This is the biggest problem with Eric Wedge, his refusal to use his entire 25-man roster.  They are here, and the owners are paying them, so the manager might as well find a way to use them.

Cavaliers.  There is an internet rumor saying the Indiana Pacers want to rid themselves of F/C Jermaine O’Neal’s bloated contract, and the Cavaliers are interested.  If true, the Cavs would give up the expiring contracts of Wally Szczerbiak and Eric Snow for O’Neal and the Pacers’ first round pick, the 11^th choice overall.  The key word here obviously is “if”. 

That deal should be made in a heartbeat.  Yes, O’Neal is 30 years old, and he has the knees of a 45-year-old man, and his contract is outrageous.  However, the Cavaliers are giving up nothing in the trade.  Snow will never play again, and Szczerbiak was a poor fit with this team despite his track record as a great shooter.  He never showed that ability here on a consistent basis. 

What makes the deal a good one is the inclusion of a second first round draft pick.  GM Danny Ferry would have two of the top 20 picks in the draft, which would allow him to bring in some young talent.  It would also put him in position to trade the two picks and move into an area where the elite players are, perhaps the top five picks.  As for the veteran, even though he seemingly gets injured walking down the street, he does have the ability to block shots, and might be able to stay healthy with reduced playing time.

Ferry has to do something, and getting another pick in the first round would be something that would be difficult to pass up.

KM/JK