The reports are all over the internet.  The Boston Red Sox are fed up with the antics of LF Manny Ramirez and are considering working out a trade during the winter.  It seems this story makes an annual appearance out of Boston.  In other news, the Cleveland Indians need a power right handed bat, preferably someone who plays a corner outfield position.  Two and two does equal four, correct?  The Tribe is the perfect fit for Manny for many reasons.

 

The stories out of Beantown say the Sox realize they are not going to get equal value for Ramirez.  They understand they are not going to get a Grade A prospect and they will have to pick up a good chunk of his remaining contract, which still has two or three years remaining.  If the Indians are serious about increasing their payroll, I doubt you could find a better hitter to spend it on.  For all of Manny’s quirks, he still is going to hit .300, 35 HR, and 120 RBI.  That would make him the ideal clean up hitter in the ’07 Cleveland lineup. 

 

Even though he has missed some time with an ailing knee down the stretch, Ramirez will turn 35 next season.  This makes him younger than Eddie Murray when the Indians brought him in before the 1994 season.  Assuming his knee gets repaired, he should be able to play 140-150 games for the length of his contract.  In fact, he’s played at least 118 games in a season every year of his career.  He’s a defensive liability, but he’s also a left fielder, the easiest position on the diamond.  

 

I’ve heard that Eric Wedge doesn’t want Ramirez on the team, because Manny would require special treatment.  I would say that Wedge should learn how to deal with people.  Manny Ramirez is going to the HALL OF FAME.  If Joe Inglett wants to know why Manny gets to do something that no one else gets away with, Wedge should say exactly that…He’s a Hall of Famer.  If the skipper can’t or won’t handle that part of his job, then perhaps he should go back to managing in the minors.

 

From a public relations standpoint (read:  ticket sales), it would be a huge boon for the franchise.  This city would be filled with excitement for the Tribe if Manny was coming back.  He’s the one guy that should never have left.  It would be akin to bringing back Rocky Colavito in the mid-60’s, except we don’t have to trade Tommy John and Tommy Agee to do it.  Also, Ramirez will hit his 500th career homer sometimes next season, that will sell some tickets as well. 

 

Getting Ramirez would be win-win.  He makes the offense better, providing a legitimate right handed power bat behind Travis Hafner.  Acquiring him would show everyone the ownership and management are serious about contending in ’07.  The only down side would be getting Manny or Grady Sizemore to change their number.  Ramirez wearing a Tribe uni next season would be a great move this winter.

 

MW 

 

The Cleveland Browns put forth a valiant effort yesterday, but it wasn’t enough as they dropped a 15-14 contest to the Baltimore Ravens at CBS.  The Browns came into the game bruised and battered as Reuben Droughns and Orpheous Roye couldn’t go, but the team displayed the fight and grit that was missing from the first two games and almost pulled off the upset.

 

With the Ravens playing the "46" defense, Cleveland attacked them the correct way, by throwing the ball on the early downs.  After the first two possessions, Charlie Frye came out throwing early and often and the Browns did whatever they wanted on offense in the second quarter.  They even had a couple of decent runs with Baltimore geared to stop the passing game.  The team got the ball to its playmakers.  Braylon Edwards burned the Ravens for a 58 yard TD catch, and Kellen Winslow made a leaping catch on a scrambling pass from Frye to put the Browns in scoring position.  In all, Edwards (5) and Winslow (7) accounted for 12 of Frye’s 21 completions. 

 

Cleveland was better on third down as well, both offensively and defensively.  They converted 6 of 14 third down conversions after being terrible in that area the first two games.  Many of these big plays especially in the fourth quarter came on passes to Winslow, who wasn’t on the field in those situations in the game against the Bengals.  The defense was able to get itself off the field, stopping the Ravens on 10 of 17 third downs.  The D did a good job on Jamal Lewis, holding him to 4.1 yards per carry, and then they blitzed Steve McNair (who was statue-like in the pocket), who had trouble making accurate throws under pressure in the first three quarters. 

 

The loss of LeCharles Bentley was more noticeable yesterday as 1-1/2 of Baltimore’s sacks came from NT Kelly Gregg, a good player but not known for his ability to put pressure on the QB.  The offensive line was saved by quick throws, but allowing your quarterback to get sacked 7 times, and hit after throws 19 times is not acceptable.  They must do a better job protecting Frye, or Ken Dorsey will be the signal caller before you know it. 

 

Gary Baxter’s continued injuries also leave the secondary exposed.  Davin Holly was picked on repeatedly by McNair in the second half and Ralph Brown is no better.  Where is 2005 4th round pick Antonio Perkins?  It appears Phil Savage whiffed on this pick.  However, DE Simon Fraser played well.  The former Buckeye has a sack, and ran down a screen pass to stop the Ravens short of a first down.  First round pick Kamerion Wimbley put pressure on McNair when he was in.  He continues to look like a good one.

 

No problem here on the interception from the Ravens’ 4 yard line in the 4th quarter.  In fact, the Browns should have thrown it on first down.  There is nothing wrong with going for the jugular, especially when you are the underdog.  If Frye hadn’t been hit as he threw, the result would have been different, either a touchdown or sailing over Edwards head incomplete.  The problem is after the running play on first down, the Ravens knew a pass was coming.  That’s why they should have thrown on first down.

 

The Browns are still 0-3, and they have a must win next week against the Raiders.  It’s not a must win for a possible spot in the playoffs, it is because the Raiders are clearly a worse football team than Cleveland.  If they can’t beat Oakland, it might be a while before the Browns get in the win column.

 

JD

 

After yesterday’s defensive circus in Oakland, Manager Eric Wedge expressed frustration with SS Jhonny Peralta.  In watching the games this week, I wonder what happened to the guy who played the position for the Indians last season, you know the guy who belted 24 HR, hit .292 and played decent defense. 

 

It’s obvious that Peralta’s confidence is shot.  He appears totally clueless at the plate.  His strength in hitting was driving the ball to right centerfield, and I can’t remember the last time he hit a ball with any authority that way.  He now looks like a guy hoping to draw a walk when he’s at the plate, instead looking to drive one up the gap.  He’s carried this lack of confidence into the field as well, where anything besides a ball hit right at him is an adventure. 

 

The best thing for the young shortstop (he’s still just 24 years old) is to shut him down for the year.  Play Hector Luna at SS for the rest of the year, or activate Mike Rouse, the SS they just picked up on waivers and added to the 40 man roster and play him at the position.  The only thing to be gained by putting Peralta out there is to further erode his self esteem.  Let him clear his head and start getting prepared for next spring training.

 

Now about next year.  Peralta should be given another chance to hold his spot going into training camp.  As stated before, he is just 24 and won’t be 25 until next May.  He’s not the first young player to have a big first year as a regular, have pitchers make adjustments, and then lose confidence in his own abilities.  However, the Tribe needs to have a better alternative if Peralta doesn’t regain his mojo than guys like Ramon Vazquez or John McDonald.  They need to be prepared that Peralta might not shake his doldrums.

 

This team needs a veteran middle infielder, and preferably not Ronnie Belliard.  For all the complaining about Hector Luna’s glove since he’s arrived, Joe Inglett is no better.  Inglett has botched several double plays in the last few weeks, as well as booting some routine plays.   I know he’s a gritty, hustling type player, but I don’t think he has major league talent. 

 

Hopefully, the Tribe gives a better effort in the last 10 games than they did yesterday.  They looked like an improved team in August, but it seems like all the air went out of the balloon the day Travis Hafner broke his hand.  Maybe the Tribe can officially eliminate the White Sox at Jacobs Field next week.  That would put a smile on the fans’ faces for at least one day.

 

JK

 

According to the national media, Browns’ TE Kellen Winslow is running his mouth again, and since he has played in a total of four regular season games, he should be seen and not heard.  Locally, Winslow is being praised as a player who tells the truth, who had the courage to stand up to the oppressive reign of offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon. 

 

The national guys know Carthon from his days with the Giants and as a member of Bill Parcells staff in his various stops around the NFL.  They view Winslow as a cocky punk, a guy who ran his mouth at Miami (FL), and a player who had so little regard for his team and teammates that they lost a season of his career joy riding on a motorcycle. 

 

Clevelanders have this one right.

 

The Cleveland Browns are not a team blessed with a lot of talented players.  One of the few they have is Kellen Winslow.  That’s why writers and fans, and heck maybe even players on the Browns have to scratch their collective heads at the decision not to have the TE on the field in third down situations.  Carthon should be trying to get the ball in his hands as much as he can, not taking him out of the game. 

 

Carthon appears to be a guy who is trying to show everybody he is a great coach.  He seems to be trying prove to the fans and the media that he is smarter than the defensive coach he is going up against.  That’s why he’s always trying to trick people.  Third and one?  Why give it to a guy who gained 1200 yards in 2005, let’s fool people by pitching out to Laurence Vickers.  Reuben Droughns had a good year last season, let’s give it to him only 11 times in the opener.  Sometimes the obvious decision is the correct one.

 

When the Dallas Cowboys had Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, you knew they were going to the focus of the offense, and they still made big plays.  This is not to say the Browns have the same sort of talent as those teams, but it does indicate that if you have playmakers, you have to use them.  Kellen Winslow is one of those players.  I would guess that removing him from the game helps the defense since they do not have to worry about checking him. 

 

If Maurice Carthon had a sterling record of play calling, that would be one thing.  But the Browns were one of the worst offense in the NFL last season, and not much has changed this season thus far.  If Winslow’s comments light a fire under the offensive coordinator, then so be it.  He should be concerned, his squad has not demonstrated anything it can do well.  Coaching is teaching.  Good coaching is realizing the strengths of the people you have and utilizing it as best you can.  You be the judge as to whether or not Maurice Carthon is a good coach. 

 

JD 

 

After Sunday’s game against the Twins, Tribe Manager Eric Wedge talked about how unhappy with the effort of his team.  The defense was lacking with four errors, all made by rookies who were mid-season recalls.  The skipper said it would be a long last two weeks of the season if that was the kind of effort he was going to see for the rest of the year.

 

Last night, I’ll bet Cliff Lee was upset with his manager’s effort.

 

Lee pitched fairly well last night, but ran into trouble in the bottom of the sixth.  With one out and a 2-1 lead, he walked Frank Thomas and gave up a single to Jay Payton.  Lee induced Eric Chavez to fly out to right, but on a 3-2 pitch, Nick Swisher allowed his elbow to wander over the plate to take one for the team.  The lefty was obviously upset at home plate umpire Bruce Froemming (who should retire) for not seeing what Swisher had done to get aboard.  Whether Lee’s pitch was in the strike zone or not, I’m not sure, but Rick Manning, doing the game for SportsTime Ohio thought it was.  However, Eric Wedge never made a move to protest the call.

 

I don’t want Wedge to be a raving lunatic like Billy Martin or Larry Bowa, guys who screamed at umpires, his own players, media people, fans, etc.  However, I do want the skipper to stand up for his players.  Bobby Cox is usually among the major league leaders in ejections, yet his players talk about how he never panics, never yells at his people.  Cox just doesn’t tolerate umpires who take advantage of his team by having an inconsistant strike zone, not hustling, or not knowing the rules. 

 

Wedge should have asked Froemming to ask for help on the call.  I’m sure the second base umpire had a great view of Swisher sticking his elbow in the way of the ball.  Even if the decision wasn’t reversed, it would have showed Lee that his manager had his back, and it would have allowed the pitcher a little time to get composed, since the lefty gave up a grand slam to Bobby Kielty on the very next pitch.  The 2-1 lead turned into a 5-2 deficit in the blink of an eye.  The manager did not come out of the dugout until he removed Lee one hitter later. 

 

If Eric Wedge demands his players play hard until the last inning of Game 162 this season, the players should expect the same from him.  I bet Cliff Lee feels a little let down today.  His skipper didn’t have his back.

 

MW

 

Another Sunday and another disappointing performance from the Cleveland Browns.  Yesterday, they were throttled by the Bengals, 34-17 in a game not as close as the score would indicate.  Cincinnati did anything they wanted to on offense, indicating that it is the defense that is the biggest problem for the 2006 edition of the brown and orange.

 

For the second straight week, the opposition converted more than half of their third downs into first downs.  An inability to get off the field is killing the unit.  I understand there are injuries in the secondary, but the Bengals ran for 160 yards at an average of 5 yards a pop.  I hate to give Bill Belicheck more credit, but it looks like he knew what he was doing in letting Ted Washington and Willie McGinest go.  Mc Ginest has hardly played since putting on a Browns’ jersey, and Washington may as well not have played. 

 

On offense, the team could not run the ball (continuing theme), and the receivers continued not only to drop passes, but to deflect them into the hands of defenders.  I must agree with everyone else that it is crazy not to have Kellen Winslow on the field in third down situations.  Winslow has already established that he is one of the best offensive players on the team, and to take him off the gridiron when you have a chance to keep the ball away from the other team is stupid.  It is the same as Pete Carroll keeping Reggie Bush off the field on the fourth down play against Texas last year, it’s over coaching, trying to demonstrate you’re smarter than the other guy.

 

With the Ravens coming in next week, the Browns are staring 0-3 right in the face.  Look for Romeo Crennel to start making changes because the guys who are playing aren’t getting it done for the most part.  This team is getting killed at the line of scrimmage, that’s where the changes should start.

 

I wonder what all the media people who spent all summer bashing the Indians think now?  Maybe they’ll start counting down until the Cavaliers start training camp.  Because as it looks right now, this football season is no different than any other Cleveland fans have experienced since 1999.  One thing is for sure though, 80,000 lemmings will show up this Sunday to support this franchise. 

 

JK

 

It’s obvious that the Tribe offense really misses Travis Hafner as they had problems scoring runs against the Royals earlier this week.  They are limping home toward the finish line, the chance at a .500 season getting slimmer every day.  As I watch these games, I’m thinking about who will be key components of the 2007 Tribe, and who is playing their final games wearing the Chief Wahoo logo.  Here’s a look at who won’t (or shouldn’t) be back next season.

 

Of course, there are the no brainer choices like Aaron Boone, who will have to hook on with another team as a utility man if he wants to play in the majors in ’07.  After his last two seasons, I doubt any team will sign him as a regular.  Among the everyday players, Hector Luna must show more if he is to be on the roster at the start of spring training.  He has been very disappointing since coming over from the Cardinals with decent numbers.  I’m also not sold on Joe Inglett as the utility man.  Inglett can’t play SS, and has big problems turning the double play at 2B. 

 

The pitching staff, in particular the bullpen, is a different matter.  It’s pretty clear that Jeremy Guthrie has no future in this organization.  Eric Wedge has indicated that Brian Slocum will get a start before the campaign ends, not Guthrie.  Considering that Guthrie had a good year as a starter in Buffalo, this should mean he is gone.  He has no options left and can’t be sent to the minors.  Another hurler in that situation who won’t be back is Jason Davis. 

 

Davis is a teaser.  He shows enough at times to make you think he could be a really good pitcher, but then he has games like last night when he collapsed after the Tribe tied the score at 4.  The big righty will probably be traded since he’s a guy who can throw in the mid-90’s, and there is always a market for that.  Brian Sikorski was worth taking a flyer on because he throws hard, but he also throws straight and gives up too many long balls. 

 

Another reliever who has been here awhile, but won’t be in 2007 is Rafael Betancourt.  Again, Betancourt has been too inconsistent for managements’ taste.  At times, he is dominant, at other times, he’s been a gas can.  He’s allowed 7 HR in 51 innings this season, too many for a guy coming out of the bullpen.  The worst thing a reliever can do is give up the long ball.

 

Although the starters have been solid for the most part, changes could be made there as well.  The most vulnerable would be Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook.  Byrd has been okay after a slow April, but has to be perfect to get guys out.  Westbrook continues to have the annoying habit of allowing runs after the offense scores for him.  Either could be moved if Mark Shapiro can sign another starter in free agency.  With Adam Miller on the horizon, the Tribe may trade a starter to get a big right handed bat. 

 

The 40 man rosters will have to be set after the season ends and many of the prospects the Indians have must be protected in the rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings.  Players will have to be released to make room for guys like Miller, Chuck Lofgren and others.  Watching over the next two weeks could give you a good idea of who those departing will be.

 

KM

 

As the 2006 season comes to a close, I started going through the stats and saw what a historic season Indians’ CF Grady Sizemore is having this season.  Sizemore leads the AL in runs scored and extra base hits which is great, but in terms of the Cleveland franchise, the 24 year old CF is having one of best years in club history. 

 

Sizemore has 50 doubles on the season, the most since Albert Belle belted 52 two baggers in 1995.  The club record is 64 by George Burns back in the late 1920’s, so that appears out of reach, but Grady could wind up with 55 doubles which would put him in the top five totals for a single season with the Tribe all time.  In addition, the lefty hitter has 84 extra base hits, putting him in the top 10 on the all time Tribe list for the most in a single season.  The club record is again held by Belle in 1995, when he added 50 HR’s and a triple to his 52 doubles mentionned earlier for a grand total of 103. 

 

Sizemore could wind up with more than 90 extra base hits, which again would put him in the top five totals for one season in club history.  In addition, he is trying to become the first Indian to reach 200 hits since Carlos Baerga in 1993.  The scary thing for the American League is that he’s only 24 years old. 

 

The centerfielder still has things to improve on, and based on his early career, there’s no doubt he will get better in these areas.  Sizemore is only hitting .210 against left handers and still strikes out too much.  Look at how Travis Hafner has gotten better against southpaws since his first year with the Indians.  The same type of improvement from Sizemore makes him a superstar. 

 

Let’s face it, if the Indians were in contention this year, both Hafner and Sizemore would be MVP candidates.  Baseball Prospectus rates the Tribe CF as one of the best players in baseball this year.  If Mark Shapiro can find a lead off hitter down the road, Sizemore will drop to the #2 or #3 spot in the order.  His RBI total will increase in that spot.  If he avoids injury and his career path continues down the same path as it is now, we will be talking about one of the greatest players in Indians’ history.  

 

Now, about Kevin Kouzmanoff.  DiaTribe pointed out that Kouzmanoff is not being used as the DH with Hafner sidelined for the rest of the season.  Why?  This guy should get as many at bats as he can get this month to find out what he can or cannot do.  I don’t think the lack of action is for trade reasons as they speculated, it because Eric Wedge wants to continue to play Casey Blake and Jason Michaels.  Blake has not hit since coming back from his second stint on the DL, and Michaels is a platoon player.  Kouzmanoff has a chance to be a special hitter, and he should be getting at bats. 

 

This is the kind of stuff that is going to cause problems in the "partnership" between Mark Shapiro and Wedge.  I’m sure Shapiro knows what he has in Blake and Michaels.  He needs to see what the young 3B/1B/DH can do.  Fans would rather see Kouz as well.  Again, I’m not saying the Indians shouldn’t try to win, but they may have a better chance to do that with Kouzmanoff.  I just think Wedge has a blind spot when it comes to Blake and others. 

 

MW

 

The Cleveland Browns started the 2006 season much like they have started every season since they returned to the NFL in 1999, they were dominated on both the offensive and defensive lines.  Charlie Frye was running for his life all day, the Saints ran 17 more plays from scrimmage than the Browns, and the brown and orange lost again at home, 19-14.

 

The offensive line has been a problem for seven years and it shows no sign of turning around after yesterday’s game.  The Browns could not run the ball and they could not stop the run.  It has been this way since 1999.  Until this changes, the Browns will remain a team that struggles to finish with a .500 record.  Of course, it doesn’t help that the play calling doesn’t help hide the weaknesses.

 

Cleveland’s leading rusher in the opener was Frye, the QB.  Reuben Droughns carried the ball just 11 times, and coordinator Maurice Carthon strangely ran fullback Lawrence Vickers wide twice on short yardage plays on third down.  Carthon’s job is to get the ball to his play makers in these situations.  Vickers is not one of those guys.  WR Braylon Edwards caught two passes in the game, although a touchdown pass to him was called back on the first place of the game.  Of course, one of the offensive linemen, newcomer Kevin Shaffer, was called for a hold on the play. 

 

Why not throw short passes to Kellen Winslow Jr., who caught 8 balls, and Edwards on first and second down to put the team in 2 and 4 type situations.  It would take pressure off of the line, and then pound the ball with Droughns.  If you do not have dominant personnel, play calling should amount to throwing when they think you’re going to pass and running when they think you’re going to throw.  Despite what football coaches want to tell you, it’s not that complicated.

 

On defense, the Saints ran the ball way too easily.  Deuce McAllister picked up 90 yards and Reggie Bush added 61 more.  They converted half of their third down conversions which gave the Saints a 17 play advantage over Cleveland.  The front office was concerned about being whipped at the line of scrimmage over the off season, so nose tackle Ted Washington was brought in.  The early return on that move was not realized.  If you can’t stop the run, your defense is in big, big trouble.

 

With Cincinnati and Baltimore coming up on the schedule, Coach Romeo Crennel’s team is staring at an 0-3 start, especially if they don’t show any improvement.  This team has to improve at the point of attack in order to be competitive.  It’s only one game to be sure, but the way the Browns lost was most troubling.  A performance like that next week at Cincy will result in an embarassing loss.  Crennel knows that and will be preaching that message all week.

 

And you thought the Indians had troubles…

 

JD

 

Fall is approaching and the cracking of pads and banging of helmets can be heard all over the Buckeye state.  This is a big weekend for football in Ohio, as the #1 ranked Buckeyes take on #2 Texas, and the NFL season opens with the Browns taking on the New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns Stadium.  I’m saying we will be smiling on Monday night, basking in the glow of two victories.

 

The difference in Austin tomorrow night will be the same as last year’s game in Columbus, that is the play of the quarterbacks.  Last year, OSU’s Troy Smith was coming off a one game suspension and Justin Zwick shared time with him.  Zwick displayed once again that he was not very good, and Texas’ Vince Young made the big plays in the fourth quarter to make the difference in the game.

 

Young is now with the Tennessee Titans, and the Longhorns’ QB is now Colt McCoy.  Troy Smith is firmly entrenched as the Buckeye starter, and OSU has the Heisman Trophy candidate signal caller.  That will make the difference is this year’s game between the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the country.  The Buckeyes will do what Texas did last season and will score the road win in a high scoring game and maintain it’s place on the top of the polls.

 

On Sunday, it will be the opposite type of game, a low scoring affair with the Browns emerging with a home victory.  The Saints have a new QB in Drew Brees, and some inexperienced offensive linemen, which should allow the brown and orange to apply some pressure.  This will help a banged up secondary. 

 

Offensively, Cleveland will run the ball and ask Charlie Frye not to make mistakes.  When they throw, it will be short ball control tosses to Kellen Winslow and Joe Jurevicius.  Reuben Droughns will grind out the tough yards, and rookie third down back Jerome Harrison will make a impact as well.

 

If the Browns don’t get this one, it could be a loooong season. 

 

KM