I watch Channel 19 News, I guess it’s one of those guilty secrets that you don’t want to admit since it’s the same as reading the tabloids in the checkout line at the grocery store.  They are sensationalistic and trashy, not exactly the type of news show we are used to seeing in Cleveland. 

 

In this vein, the station recently aired a 911 call by Browns’ owner Randy Lerner’s sister, Nancy Fisher, after discovering her 6 year old daughter drowned in a creek.  The tape obviously fit in with the station’s tabloid mentality, using stories like this to raise ratings, and appeal to the lowest common denominator of viewers. 

 

What they didn’t think about was how it would affect the Lerner family, or any family for that matter.  The difference is the station promotes itself as the TV "Home of the Browns", and has based many shows on fall weekends on the team.  It also televises the team exhibition games, which I would assume is a huge advertising boon for the station.

 

Lerner and his family were naturally very upset at the invasion of privacy, and pulled the exhibition games from WOIO effective immediately.  The station is taking legal action against the Browns for violating the contract. 

 

I would guess the station can’t win in the court of public opinion.  Airing the call was tasteless, and most reasonable people agree that stance.  If you want to market your news program in this matter, the station’s management has to accept the consequences of their actions.  Losing the Browns’ programming is the result, and no one blames the Browns, nor the Lerner family for doing it. 

 

JD

 

The Cleveland Indians continued "retooling" for the 2007 season by dealing closer Bob Wickman to the Atlanta Braves for minor league catcher Max Ramirez.  Many, including myself, were surprised by the small return for a proven closer, but what we do not know is how many teams Wickman told GM Mark Shapiro he would accept a trade to.  As a 10/5 man (10 years in the majors, the last five with the same team), he has that right. 

 

Perhaps that was the best trade Shapiro could get, because he might have had only three or four teams to talk to.  I’m not defending Shapiro, but I wanted to remind everyone of that possible constraint.

 

The deal gives Fausto Carmona an opportunity to close games immediately.  If we can do the job, that’s one less thing the GM needs to find in the off season.  Carmona throws hard, and also has a hard sinker.  Based on the job he has done in the seventh and eighth inning, it looks like he can hande the job.  Having a young closer isn’t a bad thing, check out the Red Sox (Jonathon Papelbon) and the White Sox (Bobby Jenks), both guys made the All Star team.

 

I’m guessing a lefty gets called up prior to tonight’s game against the Twins, perhaps Tony Sipp from AA Akron?  There are more moves to come, as I cannot believe Aaron Boone will be wearing the Chief Wahoo logo much longer.  By the way, Andy Marte belted his 15th homer last night.  One of the things I’m looking forward to is seeing how long it will take Marte to exceed Boone’s HR total after he joins the Tribe.

 

With rumors swirling about Jake Westbrook and Arizona, I found it interesting that the Diamondbacks called up OF prospect Carlos Quentin yesterday, and he slugged a homer in his debut.  Quentin has a good power and walks as much as he strikes out, as well as leading the PCL in being hit by pitches.  If the Tribe can get a guy like him for Westbrook, they have to do it. 

 

I go back and forth on dealing Ben Broussard.  He has been a productive hitter against right handers, but this year he is off the charts.  He’s batting .359 vs. RHP this year, compared to the .260 range the past two years.  He’s going to be 30 years old in September and his market value will never be higher, so look for the Tribe to try and move him before the deadline.  That would also get Ryan Garko an opportunity to play as well. 

 

The coming week should bring plenty of changes to the Indians’ roster, and it should.  Being 21 games out of first allows the brass to check out some young players and accumulate more prospects.

 

KM

 

 

  

 

The Cleveland Indians second half hasn’t started any better than the first half ended.  Mainly because the cast of characters remains the same.  No one expected a slew of deals immediately after the All Star Game, but it looked like some personnel changes would be made.  So far, nothing.

 

Instead, Eric Wedge seems to be using a musical chairs approach.  In the five games played in the second half, the team has used four third basemen, two second basemen, and used a revolving door in the corner outfield spots using Jason Michaels, Casey Blake, and Todd Hollandsworth.  Doing this does not help the defense, and for an already bad defensive squad, this is especially troublesome. 

 

Meanwhile at Buffalo,  Andy Marte has raised his batting average to .278.  The Tribe is trying to make a deal for Aaron Boone so they can bring Marte up, but it’s obvious there is no market for Boone.  The right thing to do is designate the former Yankee playoff hero for assignment.  And do it right away.   GM Mark Shapiro is trying to avoid this move because Boone is a class act, but he’s not helping the team and he knows the move is coming.  Marte was the centerpiece of the trade sending Coco Crisp to Boston.  It’s time to see him on the big club and playing everyday.

 

As far as rumors about a possible trade involving Jake Westbrook goes, it’s clear here that Westbrook is not an "untouchable".  He is a dependable starter, giving the team 200 innings per year, but really he is a third or fourth starter.  He is not as good as C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee, and you can make an argument that Paul Byrd has been more consistent for most of the season.  What did Westbrook in last night was his annoying habit of allowing runs after the Indians plate a few themselves in the previous half inning.  So, depending on what you can get, I wouldn’t be totally against it.

 

This ship is sinking fast and it appears some of the veterans are going through the motions.  Those guys need to be weeded out now.  The fans and management need to see some young players wanting to make a good impression in the bigs.  Marte, Franklin Gutierrez, and Ryan Garko should be wearing Tribe uniforms if they want to salvage the season.  The retooling should start today with Boone’s release and putting Marte in the lineup at third.

 

MW

 

Hopefully, the Cleveland Indians will start the second half of the season with a little different cast of characters.  I still believe this team is not as bad as their 40-47 record, and Baseball Prospectus’ Joe Sheehan agrees with me, but obviously the team is not perfect and changes need to be made.

 

First, let’s start by easing Victor Martinez into the first base position.  This will involve dealing Ben Broussard, who should bring a good prospect or two in return since he is batting over .300 this season.  Even with this type of year, Broussard is still too streaky to be a dependable first baseman.  At third base, it’s time to see Andy Marte and end the Aaron Boone expirement.  Boone has not hit in his 1-1/2 years with the Tribe and his glove has declined as well. 

 

Up the middle, Ronnie Belliard is earning another one year deal for 2007, as the front office waits for Asdrubal Cabrera to be ready in 2008.  Jhonny Peralta can and will be a solid player.  He is not the first player to struggle in his second full year in the bigs.  Even with his problems, he is still on pace for 17 HR and 70 RBI’s, not bad for a middle infielder.  I’m not a trainer, but perhaps Peralta’s range would improve by losing 10 to 15 pounds. 

 

In the outfield, Grady Sizemore is a keeper in CF, but the other two spots are open.  Franklin Gutierrez has started to hit a little bit and should be given a long look.  I think Jason Michaels could play LF every day as well, although Casey Blake coming back could help as well if he continues hitting.  Last year’s #1 pick, Trevor Crowe is now at Class AA Akron and could be with the Tribe sometime in 2007 as the leadoff hitter.  He walks a lot and steals bases.

 

On the mound, it’s time to see if Fausto Carmona can close.  Bob Wickman is a free agent again and with many teams searching for bullpen help, Wickman should bring a good prospect in return.  If Jeremy Sowers struggles in the rotation, then give Jeremy Guthrie a shot as a starter.  It’s also time to see if Fernando Cabrera and Edward Mujica can pitch more meaningful innings, although Cabrera’s lack of control in frightening.  Mujica has struggled coming into games with men on, but has pitched well after that. 

 

As we have said before, it’s not too early to look at next season.  Players who will not be here should be phased out, and those who could be here should get a trial now.  Don’t waste the time spent out of the race.  This season can still have meaning, and the results will be seen in Winter Haven next spring.

 

KM

 

The gnashing of teeth had already started, when would LeBron sign his extension?  He’s going to leave us just like Ramirez, Thome, and all the other great athletes who have called Cleveland home in the last thirty years.  The NBA wants him in a larger market.  Nike wants him in a larger market.  Well, stop the presses!  James agreed to the five year deal on Saturday, which means he is contractually obligated to wear the wine and gold through 2011. 

 

Now, it’s up to the Dan’s, Ferry and Gilbert, to put the type of team around LBJ that can win an NBA title.  They got some help when Ben Wallace bolted the Pistons for the Bulls last week, leaving Detroit with a huge hole in the middle.  The Bulls have improved, but they remind me of the Cavs of the early 90’s, the potential of have many very good players, but no game changing superstar.  Chicago had Michael Jordan in those years, and today the Cavaliers have LeBron. 

 

The Heat won this year, but they have a lot of miles on everyone besides Dwayne Wade.  They might make another run next season, but they have a short shelf life as far as title contention goes.  The Cavaliers with the correct off season moves could win the Central Division title next year, and could get to the conference finals, or maybe The Finals. 

 

A lot of cash has been thrown around to free agents this summer, but I think Ferry is looking at the trade market to bolster the Cavs.  The team has several wing players who could draw interest from other teams:  Sasha Pavlovic, Luke Jackson, and Ira Newble to name a few.  My guess is the Cavs’ GM moves one of them to get front court and point guard help.

 

As for what we can worry about, WKNR’s Kenny Roda is already fretting about James’ next contract extension.  I guess that’s what Phil Savage is talking about with the "Woe is Me" mentality.

 

JK 

 

It’s not often that the best hitter in the league doesn’t make the All Star team but it happened this year.  Indians’ DH Travis Hafner is putting up huge numbers this season, but Ozzie Guillen, the fans, and the players left Pronk off the AL squad.  Not only that, but they left arguably the best pitcher in the league on the outside looking in as well, the Twins’ Francisco Liriano.

 

Hafner leads the AL in OPS (on base % plus slugging %) by 45 points over Manny Ramirez.  This is the stat many experts are now using to measure a players’ offensive production.  In fact, Hafner leads the league in both of the categories that make up OPS.  By most people’s calculations, that would make Pronk the best hitter in the AL over the first half of the season.  What would you think if the NL roster didn’t include Albert Pujols?  That’s exactly what occurred in the AL in 2006.

 

The Indians’ DH also got hosed in the internet poll to determine the last spot on the team.  Somehow, the White Sox’ A.J. Pierzynski with his 6 HR and 29 RBI’s was voted in.  Besides the statistics listed above, Hafner is tied for 2nd in runs scored, tied for 4th in HR, 4th in RBI’s, and ranks 11th in batting average. 

 

Critics will note that Hafner is strictly a DH, as if that nullifies his numbers.  But, David Ortiz and Jim Thome will be in Pittsburgh next Tuesday, and the last time I checked, they don’t play the field that often.  And Pronk’s overall numbers are better than both of those players. 

 

There is no doubt that Grady Sizemore deserves to be an All Star.  He has had a tremendous season.  Travis Hafner will have to settle for the title of best player in the majors to never have gone to the Mid Summer Classic.  It’s an unfair title for him to have.

 

JK

 

The Cleveland Indians celebrated the Fourth of July by lighting up the New York Yankee pitching staff for 19 runs in a 19-1 win over the Bronx Bombers at Jacobs Field.  It was not even two years ago that the Tribe hammered the Yanks in New York, 22-0.  By the way, Jake Westbrook was the winning pitcher in both blowouts.  It was a great night at the Jake for anyone sitting near one of the frontrunners from this area who roots for the Yankees.

 

That make six of the last eight in the win column for the Wahoos.  Much like last year (I am not saying the same thing is going to happen again in ’06), the key for this streak has been the starting pitching.  In seven of the last eight games, the starting pitcher has allowed three runs or less.  That gives you a great opportunity to win games. 

 

I am curious about the decision to send Ryan Garko back to Buffalo to make room for Jason Michaels, who was activated from the disabled list prior to yesterday’s game.  The Indians need to find out what they have in Garko, who should have at least assumed Eduardo Perez’ role in the platoon with Ben Broussard.  Apparently, that role will go to Victor Martinez, with Kelly Shoppach catching against lefties.  Still, I don’t see why a team needs both Ramon Vazquez and Joe Inglett on the roster, although someone still has to go after the All Star break when Casey Blake comes back. 

 

The Tribe has a great chance to look at some young players the rest of this season, and I think Eric Wedge and Mark Shapiro realize that.  I have to believe they are actively trying to move guys like Aaron Boone, Ben Broussard, and Bob Wickman to make room for younger alternatives.  Until these players are dealt, Shapiro is going to hold the company line that the young guys aren’t ready, when in reality the front office has decided they can help the big club. 

 

So far, the rookie contingent has done pretty well.  Jeremy Sowers has pitched better in his last two starts than Jason Johnson pitched since the beginning of May.  Franklin Gutierrez has done a passable job in right field, although he must learn to drive the ball in the majors.  And Rafael Perez has pitched well out of the bullpen.  Even Inglett and Garko contributed to Saturday’s win in Cincinnati. 

 

Last night’s game was a thing of beauty.  Let’s keep the winning streak going, and give the Yankees more worries as they head into the All Star break.

 

KM

 

New Year’s Day came on June 30 this year for the Cleveland Indians.  The Tribe front office officially started when the team dealt first baseman Eduardo Perez to Seattle for minor league infielder Asdrubal Cabrera.  Cabrera was ranked as the #6 prospect in the Mariner organization and is playing at the AAA level at just 20 years old.

 

This is the first move made with next season in mind.  Perez was having a solid year as the right handed hitting half of the first base platoon with Ben Broussard.  GM Mark Shapiro was look to move anybody who is not going to be a part of this team next season, and with Victor Martinez apparently getting more time at 1B, and with Ryan Garko on the farm, Perez didn’t have a future here and with a weakness in the middle infield in the organization, this was a good move to make.

 

More of this type of move is expected in the coming weeks.  Look for Aaron Boone to be moved so the Tribe can elevate the red hot Andy Marte from Buffalo.  Bob Wickman, who is on a one year contract, may be traded to a contender looking for relief help down the stretch.  Broussard may go as well.

 

I don’t look for Paul Byrd to be dealt because he is on a two year deal, and can help this team in 2007.  Ronnie Belliard will probably stay since the organization has no one to take his place, and he has played better in the last month.  It’s time to look at guys like Marte, Franklin Gutierrez, Garko, and Joe Inglett to see if they can contribute next year.  Shapiro and Wedge think this team can contend next year, and so do I.

 

Couple of notes from the weekend:  Wedge certainly looked like an idiot putting Travis Hafner up with the bases loaded on Saturday.  It was an excellent move since the Reds had to pitch to him.  Pronk came through as usual. 

 

It was nice to see Guillermo Mota pitch well over the weekend.  Maybe something can be salvaged with him this year, after all.  Did you see Jason Johnson’s performance in his Red Sox debut?  He went just four innings, allowing five runs.  Guess Boston’s infield defense can’t create miracles. 

 

As expected, Grady Sizemore was the only Cleveland player picked to the American League All-Star team.  Hafner can be elected by the fans in an internet vote this week, but the nod will probably go to Francisco Liriano of the Twins.  I don’t understand why Garko is being rumored to be sent out when Jason Michaels gets activated from the DL.  Does the Tribe really need Ramon Vasquez and Inglett?

 

MW 

 

 

 

WKNR’s afternoon host Kenny Roda has started a "Wedge Watch", marking time until the Tribe skipper is fired.  Of course, eventually Wedge will lose his job because all managers do, and Roda will beat his chest proclaiming how he is correct once again.  But, the reality is Eric Wedge is not going anywhere soon because of the trust GM Mark Shapiro has in him.

 

I feel Roda’s real problem with Wedge is that he won’t come on his "Happy Hour" show.  Reportedly, Wedge has made comments that he feels WKNR’s Tribe coverage is too negative.  It has been said that opinions are like noses (or some other body part), in that everyone has one, and certainly Roda is entitled to his.  However, it would be nice if that opinion wasn’t formed because one party won’t talk to the other.

 

The host insists that the main problem is the lack of fundamentals with the club, and Wedge is responsible for this area.  He may be right, but the team won 93 games last season with this being a problem area.  If you watch a lot of Tribe games (and other teams games) you will notice that most major league squads have problems getting bunts down, run the bases poorly, and miss cut off men.  It is hardly just a problem for the Tribe.

 

Roda keeps mentioning Tony Pena and Larry Bowa has possible successors to Wedge which is really frightening.  Pena won more than half his games just once in his 2-1/2 years in Kansas City, and last year when the going got tough for the Royals, he quit his team.  Bowa is a problem too.  Ask Phillie fans if they appreciate that Bowa basically ran Scott Rolen out of town and badgered Pat Burrell into a horrible year.  Bowa was canned in Philadelphia because his team hated him.  These are guys you want to lead the Tribe?

 

Guys with Wedge’s demeanor last a long time in jobs.  I’m not saying Wedge is as good as these guys because he hasn’t made a post season appearance yet, but skippers like Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, and Bruce Bochy last awhile because they can handle the different personalities on a ballclub. 

 

Roda also continuously criticizes the Tribe for not giving Bob Howry $4 million.  He didn’t sign for that amount, he signed for $12 million, that’s the committment the Cubs made.  If Howry has an ERA of 5.00 next season or blows out his elbow, then who’s stupid?  He has had numerous national baseball writers on his show who have said the Millwood and Howry contracts were ridiculous, but still he hammers the team. 

 

I am turning to music and WTAM (heaven forbid) on the drive home so I don’t have to listen to the ravings on WKNR.  My colleagues at Cleveland Sports Perspective feel the same way. 

 

JK

 

As the Tribe as struggled this season, the fans have been quick to point the finger of responsibility at several players and the management.  Usually, the players singled out are the new guys, those who were not on the team a year ago.  The chief whipping boys are starter Paul Byrd and leftfielder Jason Michaels.  Neither deserve the blame.

 

First, let’s take the case of Byrd.  He replaced free agent Kevin Millwood in the Tribe rotation.  I’m not going to compare Millwood’s stats last year to Byrd’s because last year is last year.  Here is how the two righties compare this season:

 

         Byrd                        6-5, 4.37 ERA    92.2 IP  52 K’s

         Millwood                  8-4, 4.47 ERA  106.2 IP  75 K’s

 

Now, Millwood’s numbers are inflated by pitching in Texas, a notorious hitters’ park.  In fact, his ERA on the road is roughly three runs a game less (3.00 vs. 5.98 in Arlington).  In Byrd’s favor is the fact he has a 2.44 ERA over his last seven starts.  The veteran righthander has held up his end of the bargain.  He has pitched very well since May 1st. 

 

Michaels takes a beating because he replaced fan favorite Coco Crisp.  But, since the former Phillie has been out, the Tribe has struggled to find someone productive to hit #2 in the order behind Grady Sizemore.  That should tell us that he isn’t a bad player.  Here is how Crisp and Michaels compare this season:

         

          Crisp                    .289   3 HR  13 RBI   .327 OBP   .428 SLG

          Michaels               .277   5 HR  25 RBI   .338 OBP   .393 SLG

 

Crisp did miss a great deal of action with a broken finger and kidney stones earlier this year, so his HR and RBI numbers are depleted.  But, Michaels is getting on base more than Crisp, and over the last two months, his OBP is over .350.  I would bet the Indians front office is getting exactly what it expected from their left fielder this year.

 

The overall pitching is the reason for the Indians’ problems this season.  Last year, Cleveland led the AL in ERA and bullpen ERA.  This year, they rank 11th in that category.  The offense has been streaky, but that is due to having several hitters who are either hot or cold.  Ben Broussard is the poster boy for that type of player.  He is either red hot or cannot buy a hit. 

 

Tribe fans are picking on the wrong guys when they jump on the anti-Byrd or anti-Michaels band wagon.  They aren’t the problem.  There are others who haven’t held up their end of the bargain for the 2006 Tribe.

 

KM