The Cleveland Indians continue to be a resilient bunch. 

After a disappointing weekend in Baltimore, losing the last two games to the Orioles after winning the first two, the Tribe went into Minnesota on Monday and swept a day-night doubleheader from the Twins, and now lead the AL Central by one game over Detroit.

This was after getting the news that Grady Sizemore once again injured his right knee and had to be put on the 15 day disabled list.  Sizemore joins Shin-Soo Choo and Alex White among key Indians currently on the shelf.

Yet, the team continues to win, coming up with big victories just when you think the season in starting to come apart at the seams.

Yesterday’s unlikely hero was left-hander David Huff. 

Huff was terrible last season, going 2-11 after winning 11 games as a rookie in 2009.  In spring training, it seemed like Huff would pitch well once around the batting order, but then follow that up by giving up a big inning and taking his team out of the game.

But there he was, throwing seven shutout frames in a big game on the road, in a place where the Indians won just once in the past calendar year. 

He even earned a spot on the big league roster.  Huff was expected to make a spot start only, but his performance, coupled with a poor outing from Jeanmar Gomez on Sunday, forced the front office to keep the southpaw and send Gomez back to Columbus.

Another key contributor in the sweep was CF Ezequiel Carrera, who contributed an RBI single in the first game, and stole two bases in the twinbill.  Carrera was picked up from the place which seemingly is part of the Cleveland farm system, Seattle, in exchange for Russell Branyan. 

You can add Carrera, a great defensive outfielder, to Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera as players picked up from the Mariners for marginal major league players.  He’s probably a fourth outfielder in the long run, but he has great speed and makes contact.  If the Indians want to stay in the race, they can’t rely on Carrera to replace Sizemore.

Still, if I’m the Seattle owner, I’m telling my GM not to accept any calls from Cleveland.

And as for Asdrubal Cabrera, he continues to show that he is a candidate for league MVP if the Tribe can stay in contention. 

The switch-hitting SS is now hitting .290 with 17 HR and 59 RBI’s while making a daily highlight reel defensively as the key defensive position on the field.  Cabrera ranks in the top ten in the AL in hits and extra base hits, and should get consideration for his first gold glove at the end of the season.

He continues to put up numbers and Cleveland remains in the playoff hunt, he’s going to garner a lot of MVP support. 

One player overlooked though is catcher Carlos Santana, who’s been a fixture in the middle of the lineup all year, but gets ignored because of his low batting average, hovering around .230. 

However, Santana is on pace to hit around 25 homers, knock in 80 runs, and still has an on base percentage of over .360 because he’s in the top five of the league in walks. 

Recently, his power numbers have been increasing.

The Indians have now won 51 games this season, about a month ahead of where they were at this point last season.  They done it despite missing Choo, Hafner, Sizemore for significant chunks of the season, and with off years from Fausto Carmona, Choo, and Sizemore.

A different guy is the hero seemingly every night.  The constants are Asdrubal and Michael Brantley (another guy quietly putting together a solid season), but there usually is another guy every night.

The outstanding work from the bullpen and solid work of the starters figure in here too, no doubt about that.

Who will emerge during the last two and a half months of the season?

MW

The all-star break is over, and quickly, the Cleveland Indians have jumped back into first place in the AL Central Division with a pair of wins over the Orioles, and now have a one game lead over Detroit.

The positioning of these two teams will change almost daily for a while, so fans shouldn’t get too excited by day-to-day alterations by either team, and you can probably add in the White Sox and Twins as well.

However, it is still better to be in first place than not in first place. 

Also, this is a critical stretch of games for the Twins, with three against the Royals and four with the Tribe at home over the next week.  If Minnesota doesn’t win its share of these contests, they just may have to change their thought process and be sellers rather than buyers at the July 31st trade deadline.

That brings us back to what the Indians’ front office will do over the next two weeks. 

We have been adamant that the Tribe needs to upgrade its bench, first and foremost, because they do not have alternatives to give players a day off here and there, and also because of the hope that Shin-Soo Choo will be back sometime in August.

To improve the roster, GM Chris Antonetti needs to get guys who have been productive coming off the pines.  That’s why players like Reed Johnson of the Cubs, and Josh Willingham of the A’s seem to be good fits. 

Both players can figure into platoon situations with Travis Buck in right field, or as guys who can pinch hit for say a Lonnie Chisenhall against a situational lefty late in a game. 

The fact that neither would require dealing a prime prospect is a good thing as well.

The team you have to worry about making a big splash is Detroit.  They are looking to add a big-ticket player at the deadline, such as Dodgers’ RHP Hiroki Kuroda or Mets’ OF Carlos Beltran.  Getting either would be a huge lift for a team which needs depth in its starting rotation after Justin Verlander, and more pop in the lineup after Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez.

If the Tigers get either or both players, it will be tough to be in the Tribe front office and a fan of the team as well.

The problem for Detroit is their farm system is not as deep as Cleveland’s, which means other teams won’t be all that interested in who the Tigers may be willing to give up.

Besides the farm system, the Indians other area of strength is the bullpen. 

It has been invaluable to the team all season long, but remember there are options in the minor leagues as well. 

We’ve already seen Josh Judy a couple of time this year, and he has performed well at Columbus (3-2, 2.91 ERA and 13 saves, 43 K’s in 34-1/3 innings), but don’t forget Chen Lee, another righty who has pitched at both Akron and Columbus and has been very effective at both places (3-1, 2.05 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 48-1/3 innings).

If Antonetti would include one of his lefties in a deal, Cleveland has LHP Nick Hagadone (5-2, 2.87 ERA. 49 whiffs in 47 innings combined at AA and AAA) ready to step in.

Hagadone is a power lefty, getting it up there in the mid-nineties, and came over in the Martinez deal in 2009.

Look for the Indians to make some sort of move because they have to, both to improve the squad, and also to let the fans know they are serious about making the post-season.

If they don’t the anti-Dolan parade will resume around Progressive Field.

MW

Baseball’s second half of the season starts tomorrow night with the Indians in Baltimore to begin a four game series. 

Trailing the first place Tigers by just a half game, there is no question this team is in a race for a division title and a trip to the playoffs. 

What, if anything, will the Indians do to stay in contention?

First, GM Chris Antonetti will not trade any of the Tribe’s top prospects.  That means do not look for any trades involving Jason Kipnis, Lonnie Chisenhall, Alex White, and Drew Pomerantz.

There certainly isn’t anyone out there, that another team is willing to deal, that is worth giving up players regarded as cornerstone guys for the next few years.

The players who have contracts that end this year are rental players, they more than likely will not be here at the beginning of the 2012 season, so you may be able to get them for some lower ranked prospects.

Think someone currently playing at the Class A level.

If you don’t think that’s true, check what Milwaukee gave up to get Francisco Rodriguez from the Mets.  Two players to be named later, neither of which are expected to be prime prospects.

In the past few days, Indians’ president Mark Shapiro said there isn’t an existing contract out there that the Tribe couldn’t handle for two months.

If that’s true, and there’s no reason to think it isn’t, then the guy to go after is Mets’ OF Carlos Beltran. 

Beltran’s massive contract ends this season, so he will be highly motivated to play well down the stretch. 

He’s already having an excellent season, making the National League all-star team, batting .285 with 13 HR and 58 RBI and an 880 OPS.  He leads the NL in doubles with 28.

He’s also a switch-hitter and can play either right or left field. 

With the Mets’ financial situation, they would be happy to not have to pay the balance of Beltran’s contract for two months. 

Also, remember that the Cleveland farm system is considered very deep by most baseball experts.  Not a lot of superstar type players, but many good major leaguers. 

Even though he didn’t play well with the Indians during his brief time here, but Cord Phelps would be very desirable by other organizations.

A more likely scenario would be trading for a lesser known, lower profile right-handed hitter, giving up a low grade prospect in return.

Players who fit that description would be Cubs’ OF Reed Johnson (.328, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 922 OPS), A’s OF Josh Willingham (.241, 11 HR, 44 RBI, 736 OPS), and A’s 1B/OF Conor Jackson (.243, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 636 OPS).

All of those players have track records for their career of hitting left-handed pitchers, which is a big need for the Indians.

Players like Astros’ OF Hunter Pence, who won’t be a free agent until 2014, are probably not on the Tribe’s radar because he’s eligible for arbitration now, and Cleveland would have to address the free agent issue after next season.

Plus, a player like that would command one of the prime Indian prospects.

However, keep an eye on Houston for some sort of transaction, because remember, the first baseman at Class AA Akron is former first round draft pick, Beau Mills, whose father happens to manage the Astros.

The Indians will add to the roster before the July 31st trading deadline, just don’t look for deals for the high ticket available players.  The cost for those guys would be too high for an organization who believes in player development, first and foremost.

KM

When Manny Acta was named the new manager of the Cleveland Indians following the 2009 season, there were critics citing Acta’s record as a big league skipper. 

He had piloted the Washington Nationals for 2-1/2 years, compiling a .385 winning percentage, with his best record being his first season at the helm, a 73-89 mark in 2007. 

Add in his 69 win season in his first year with the Tribe last season, and it’s not a pretty picture.

This is not to say Acta is a poor manager, in fact, he’s done a tremendous job keeping the Indians in the divisional hunt in 2011, considering all of the injuries, and poor production from players counted on to have good seasons. 

Right now, he has a lineup that includes an outfield that is offensively challenged.  Michael Brantley is the only consistent fixture in that area, and even he has been slumping as of late.  Grady Sizemore is hitting under .200 since coming off the disabled list and is striking out at an alarming rate, and right field is a choice between the oft-injured Travis Buck and the oft-out making Austin Kearns.

Many national baseball writers have said Acta deserves to be the AL Manager of the Year for his work with the Indians this season.

However, Acta’ s past records should remind you that this is his first time as the manager of a baseball team in a pennant race. 

Fans shouldn’t be worried strategy wise, because the skipper is going to stay true to the ideals and game plan he has gone with all season long in terms of the use of his pitching staff, the bunt, etc.

It will be interesting to see how Acta handles players who are not producing, because although patience is a virtue, it can kill you in a pennant race. 

When your team is languishing in fourth or fifth place, it’s seems it would be easy to keep good people, guys who matter in the clubhouse, on the roster because they have a professional attitude, they play hard every day, they set a good example for younger players with their work ethic. 

When you have to win every night, sometimes you need guys who will come up and get a big hit when needed, who can make a contribution with a big hit when called upon. 

Going into the all-star break, Acta and GM Chris Antonetti have some tough decisions to make.  The three game losing streak to end the first half of the year was a reminder that the Indians need help, and that the roster needs to be upgraded.

They will have difficult decisions regarding a spot in the starting rotation and the bench, which right now is filled with players who are struggling offensively.  Some of those guys may be great clubhouse guys, but if they can’t produce at the plate or in the field, they have to be replaced. 

It’s cruel, yes, but professional sports is a cruel entity. 

It may be tough in the locker room as well, but players know who is helping them and who isn’t.  Don’t let anyone tell you differently. 

In 2007, GM Mark Shapiro made a tough decision in late summer and brought up young infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to replace Josh Barfield at second base.  That worked out quite nicely, didn’t it.

This isn’t to say Manny Acta isn’t capable of making decisions like that, it is to point out that he’s never had to do it before.  His willingness to do so could play a large role in whether or not the Cleveland Indians can stay in AL Central Division race.

MW

The All-Star break will take place after tomorrow afternoon’s games and it’s a good time for organizations to evaluate their rosters. 

The Cleveland Indians are no exception. 

The trade deadline will be here at the end of the month, so don’t expect any real activity until the week before July 31st.

However, teams can make internal moves, and that’s where Tribe GM Chris Antonetti may be active, because he has a very weak link in his starting rotation.

That would be Mitch Talbot, who for the most part has been getting hit hard every fifth day when it is his turn to pitch. 

That’s not a big surprise, because Talbot was considered shaky coming into the season. 

Although Talbot won 10 games last season (10-13 with  4.41 ERA), it was horribly weighted.  The righty was 5-3 with an ERA under 3.00 in April and September, the two months when baseball people tend to discount statistics.

The rest of the year he was 5-10 with an ERA over 5.00. 

That means that in nine months of big league pitching, Mitch Talbot has given the Indians two real good months, and seven mediocre ones. 

For a team in a race for a division title, that’s simply not good enough.  Especially when there seem to be better alternatives at Columbus. 

First, you have right-hander Jeanmar Gomez, who is 9-3 with a 2.59 ERA.  Gomez has stepped it up after being demoted to AAA earlier this season.  He has strikeouts and just 29 walks in 94 innings of work.

He would appear to be the frontrunner to replace Talbot if the organization makes a move with the rotation.

Zach McAllister would be another candidate with an 8-3 mark and a 2.97 ERA.  McAllister made his big league debut this week against Toronto, allowing three runs in four innings.  He may have been victimized a bit by home plate umpire Dana DeMuth’s moving strike zone.

A third candidate would be lefty David Huff, who is 8-2 with a 3.84 ERA.  Remember that Huff won 10 games at the big league level in 2009 with the Tribe.

Huff has been working on a cut fastball, and since he started using the pitch, his numbers have been better than his season stats.

He would bring a southpaw to the rotation, which the Indians currently do not have. 

A dark horse candidate would be another lefty, Scott Barnes.  Barnes is 7-3 with a 3.61 ERA and has 85 strikeouts in 82 innings.  He doesn’t have any prior big league experience though.

He did pitch in the Arizona Fall League last year, and came to the Tribe from the Giants for Ryan Garko.  Another case of the Indians getting a good prospect in a trade for a marginal veteran.

Based on the way Talbot has pitched recently, all of these guys would be able to keep the Tribe in games at the very least.  Something Talbot hasn’t been able to do as of late.

The Indians need to continue to win to stay in this thing, and guys who can pitch six solid innings every fifth day are gold, particularly with the team’s bullpen.

And lately, that bullpen is showing signs of wear.  Counting last Saturday, when Fausto Carmona left after two innings with an injury, Cleveland starters have failed to go five innings in four of their last seven game.

That’s taking a toll on some people, such as Tony Sipp and Vinnie Pestano.

It will be interesting to see if the Tribe starting rotation will have a different look when the season starts up again Thursday in Baltimore. 

The bet here says it will.

MW

The Cleveland Indians have had a resurgence as of late, winning six of their last nine games following the sweep by the San Francisco Giants almost two weeks ago.

This has led to fans thinking about contention once again, because no matter what happens this weekend against Toronto, the Tribe is going to enter the all-star break as a contending team.

However, the biggest area of concern surrounding the Indians should be the bench. 

Granted, this ballclub has overcome several injuries to key players, like Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore, and still manages to be a game and a half ahead of Detroit in the AL Central Division.

Hafner’s return, both from injury and a couple of off years due to the shoulder problems, does help out because he adds some depth to the lineup, but there are other concerns.

The all-star break couldn’t come at a better time for Michael Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera, who appear to be running on fumes. 

Although it’s a great honor to make the American League squad, Cabrera looks like a guy who could use a day off.

Unfortunately for Manny Acta, it’s difficult to take either player out of the lineup because of the possible candidates to replace them, particularly when the Indians were struggling offensively already.

With Sizemore struggling at the plate, it’s got to be tough for Acta to sit Brantley down for a few days.  The latter’s batting average has dropped about 30 points over the past few weeks, although he did get two hits Wednesday night.

The skipper’s alternatives to replace Brantley are Austin Kearns, who is hitting .209 with a single homer, Travis Buck, who has been plagued by nagging injuries, and Shelley Duncan, who is a player who should only see action against southpaws.

Those aren’t real appealing choices.

As for A. Cabrera, he’s been the Tribe’s best offensive player basically from day one of the 2011 season, so you can understand the manager’s unwillingness to sit him down. 

Also, he’s playing like a gold glover defensively, and his likely replacement would be Orlando Cabrera, who lacks among the worst AL infielders in terms of range. 

The best option among the bench bunch is Buck, who is hitting a robust .252 with a 669 OPS. 

The balance of the reserve players are Lou Marson, who got regular playing time with Matt LaPorta out, but didn’t really take advantage, hitting .229 with a 574 OPS, Jack Hannahan (.213 with a 637 OPS), Kearns (603 OPS), and either Duncan (.237 with a 674 OPS) or rookie Cord Phelps (.196 in limited duty with a 641 OPS).

We say either because one of those two players will likely be sent to Columbus to make room for Zach McAllister, who is replacing Fausto Carmona in the rotation.

Here’s hoping it’s Phelps, who needs regular playing time at his age, but isn’t getting it here. 

Acta has done a great job mixing and matching lineups and getting the most out of the little production he gets from his reserves. 

Still, why not help out the manager and the pitching staff, which has performed spectacularly so far this season, and get a bat, preferably one who hits right-handed, to come off the bench.

Keeping guys like Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera fresh might be the biggest challenge for Acta this season. 

The front office has said it can spend some money for the playoff hunt.  The bench is an area that definitely needs some help.

MW

Yesterday, the country celebrated its birthday, the 235th of the good old USA. 

Baseball fans celebrated the halfway point of its long season.  A marathon, not a sprint longtime  fans of the sport will tell you.

Well, the Cleveland Indians arrived at that point of the campaign in first place in the American League Central Division, something not many people forecast coming into the season. 

Yes, all kinds of things could happen the rest of the year.  The Tribe could play like they did in the early part of June, when their offense couldn’t score any runs, the defense started to betray them, and the starting pitching showed some holes. 

Whatever the case, the Cleveland Indians sit on top of the division with a one and a half game lead on Detroit.  Whenever you hear die-hard Tribe fans complain about the team, they will say they just want a team that can compete.  Well Indian fans, you have what you are looking for.

Yet, there still doesn’t seem to be much of a buzz surrounding this baseball team.  Heck, you have to be excited if you watched last night, when Austin Kearns of all people, hit a three run homer to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead against the New York Yankees.

Fans, including us, complain about the ownership, which seems to be the reason people are not flocking to Progressive Field in support of this team.  If that is the reason not to go to the ballpark, you are biting off your nose to spite your face.  You are missing out on watching a team that plays hard, are solid people, and have maybe the best bullpen in the sport. 

It shouldn’t matter who is the owner at this point.  They don’t appear on the field.  They aren’t making the catches, throwing the pitches, or hitting a breaking ball the opposite way for a two run insurance dinger like Carlos Santana did last night. 

Team president Mark Shapiro said the team has money to spend to add to the team at the trading deadline.  If you’re ticked that they haven’t made a move just yet, no one has.  There are still too many teams who think they still have a chance.

It is doubtful GM Chris Antonetti will make a blockbuster move because that would involve using one of the organizations top prospects, and it wouldn’t be a good deal to move guys like Jason Kipnis, Lonnie Chisenhall, Alex White, or Drew Pomerantz on a rental player.

Staying away from the ball park means you are missing Asdrubal Cabrera transform into one of the best shortstops in the big leagues.  You are missing Santana’s development as a hitter, and Travis Hafner’s rebirth as Pronk. 

You are not seeing Josh Tomlin define what a “pitcher” is all about, and seeing Carlos Carrasco mature as a legitimate starting pitcher before our eyes. 

You are also missing the “bullpen mafia” do its thing, led by all-star Chris Perez, who has already saved 20 games.

This is not to defend the past actions of the Dolan ownership.  They still gave up on two seasons when they authorized the trades of Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez in 2009.  But it turns out that Carrasco (obtained for Lee) and Justin Masterson (traded for Martinez) have turned out to be cornerstones of the starting rotation.

Enjoy this Tribe summer.  Enjoy the pennant race.  If you are a baseball fan, you don’t have anything else to do.

KM

 

Cavalier fans seem to be split on the team’s most recent transaction, dealing PF J.J. Hickson to Sacramento for SF Omri Casspi and a first round draft choice, that unless the Kings get good again soon, will never wind up in the hands of Cleveland GM Chris Grant, or whomever is occupying that seat in 2017.

Many feel Hickson showed he was ready for stardom based on the second half of this season, when he averaged just about 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. 

Those people obviously discount the feelings of the man who watched Hickson practice everyday, Byron Scott.

Scott is an old school guy, a player who was stunned when he learned that Magic Johnson and Larry Bird became friends after shooting a shoe commercial in the late 1980’s.  Scott and his Laker teammates knew how much Johnson was obsessed with beating Bird, and they couldn’t believe that feeling would remain the same after they became cordial.

This trade might have a lot to do with a game in early December, when the Miami Heat came to Quicken Loans Arena for the first time since LeBron James joined them. 

The Cavs’ head coach watched as several players on his team fawned over and held running conversations with James, while his new team was hammering his old one.  For a guy like Scott, who cut his NBA teeth in the midst of the Lakers-Celtics rivalry of the 80’s, this had to be tough to watch.

Hickson was one of the LeBron guys, a player James said should get more playing time.  He wasn’t the only one, for sure, but it seems like Grant and Scott are slowly pushing the “James Gang” out the door.

The coaching staff wants players who are tough, that won’t back down from opponents, that will not concede anything to the opposition. 

In talking about Casspi, Grant spoke of his “nastiness”.  Others connected to the Kings spoke of how Casspi is ultra-competitive, and is not shy of confidence. 

In short, he’s a guy who would have knocked LeBron James on his butt on a drive to the basket on that December night, not joked with him, sitting back while the Heat embarrassed the Cavaliers.

Cleveland got some measure of revenge by beating Miami on their next visit in town, but that was one game too late for a guy like Byron Scott.  It shouldn’t have taken a humiliating loss the first time around to get that kind of effort.

The Cavs’ new regime wants players who can play, but who also are tough.  The team seemed to get that message toward the end of the season and started playing better with guys like Baron Davis, Ramon Sessions, Samardo Samuels, and even Ryan Hollins playing with that type of passion. 

Hickson exhibited that on some nights, but not every night, and Scott saw that, and it appears didn’t like it.

Byron Scott has been around the NBA block.  He’s not a first time head coach in the league, he’s been around it as a player, assistant coach, and head coach for almost 30 years.

He has an idea of what type of players win in the NBA, and he is setting out to get them.  Obviously, J.J. Hickson isn’t one of those players.  Let’s trust Scott knows what he’s doing (he’s taken a team to The Finals), and remember, there are more than likely, more moves to come.

JK

The Cavaliers haven’t made everyone happy with what they did on draft night a week ago.

The choice of Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick isn’t what has raised the ire of basketball fans in Cleveland. 

Although some have said GM Chris Grant should have taken Derrick Williams at #1, and then parlayed that by taking Kentucky guard Brandon Knight with the fourth overall pick, most people agree that Irving will be at the very least, a solid starting point guard in the NBA.

Others see a higher ceiling, but Irving was the best player in the draft, so he should be the first choice.  Not taking the most talented guy with the first pick would have been a mistake.

It’s the second first round pick that have people shaking their heads, Texas PF Tristan Thompson. 

Critics say that the Cavs already had depth at that spot in J.J. Hickson and Anderson Varejao, who started at center when healthy last season.

Those people also say the two areas where the wine and gold suited up presentable NBA players last season were at point guard, with Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions, and at power forward with Hickson, Varejao, Antawn Jamison and rookie Samardo Samuels.

Therefore, the gaping holes at both wing positions, shooting guard and small forward, the most athletic positions in the league, were ignored.   The team still has no one who can score at those spots.

Be patient people.  The off-season didn’t end with the draft. 

In fact, with the ensuing lockout and the possibility of a shortened season because of labor issues, it might be the longest off-season ever.

Grant still has plenty of time and ammunition to get players to play those spots, with the lure being the excess of talent at the two positions already mentioned.

Sessions will almost certainly be moved because there is interest in him throughout the league, and even though Byron Scott has no qualms about playing two point guards together, it looks like Sessions would be the odd man out.

There is no question he can play though, averaging 13.3 points and 5 assists per night while shooting 46.6% from the floor.  He also gets to the foul line, averaging a little over five attempts a game.

Also, one or two of the power forwards will be moving on as well.  Certainly, Jamison, whose contract expires after next season, should be a desired trade chip for that reason and for his ability to be able to put the ball in the basket.

Varejao would also be coveted by contending teams, because he’s a very good rebounder and defender.  He doesn’t need the ball to be effective. 

Hickson would draw interest because he’ll be just 23 years old in September, and he scored almost 14 points with eight and a half rebounds last season.

He’s still regarded as a player on the rise.

With Thompson’s strength being defense and rebounding, he seems to be more similar to Varejao.  Add in the latter’s big contract and the Brazilian would seem to bring the most back in return.

So, with all the rumors out there talking about Hickson, Anderson Varejao might be the player to be traded ultimately.

He would have to show he’s healthy after his foot injury last season. 

Also, he’s a prominent link to the LeBron James era, and there are not a lot of those guys left on the Cavs’ roster. 

Just relax Cavs’ fans!  More changes are to come. 

NOTE:  This was published just prior to the strong rumor that the Cavs have traded Hickson to Sacramento for SF Omri Casspi and a future first round draft pick.

Casspi gives the Cavs a starting small forward.  He averaged almost 9 points and 4.5 boards a game in about 25 minutes.  He just turned 23 a little over a week ago, so he definitely is a player with upside.

If there aren’t, then you can line up to start bashing the team management.  Scott might be right with you.

JK

Although many people had been clamoring for some sort of move over the past few weeks, the news was still somewhat shocking. 

The Indians recalled Lonnie Chisenhall from Columbus and designated Adam Everett for assignment.

Everett is a class act, but his production at the plate was not up to major league standards, which was predicted here when he was signed.  Everett has never been a good major league hitter (lifetime .248 batting average), and over the past few years has struggled to keep a big league job.

Chisenhall, the Tribe’s top prospect along with Jason Kipnis, was put right in the lineup at 3B, where he hopefully will stay most of the time.  Manager Manny Acta hinted that the rookie will be given some time off against tough lefties.

It will be interesting to see what happens if Chisenhall holds his own at the plate, which would be an improvement over incumbent Jack Hannahan, whose average has dipped under the .220 mark.

If he succeeds, he could give the front office the courage to continue the influx of players coming up from Columbus in place of the non-productive veterans.

Kipnis could be the next guy to arrive in Cleveland.  He’s a second baseman by trade, and will be playing in the Futures Game in Phoenix prior to the All Star Game.

He’s currently hitting .292 with 9 HR and 44 RBI (877 OPS) with the Clippers and leads the International League in triples.  He probably would already be here except that he hits left-handed, like most of the current Indians.

Luis Valbuena is another Clipper who should come back to Cleveland soon, and he’s someone who has played in the outfield (LF) this season. 

Valbuena, a switch hitter, is batting .314 with 10 HR and 49 RBI (895 OPS) at Columbus.  Remember, that in his rookie year of 2009, he had a solid season with the Tribe.

The organization also has to make a decision on Nick Johnson by the end of this week, per his contract.  Johnson, a former Yankee and National first baseman, is only hitting .220 in the capital city, so GM Chris Antonetti may be trying to buy some time with him to extend the call up date.

It was good to see Chisenhall be brought up because quite frankly, it was beginning to look like the management was ignoring the fact the Tribe is just a game out of first place with July 1st on the horizon.

That would have spurred more criticism of the much maligned Dolan ownership, and really, who could have blamed the fans? 

There are no guarantees that no matter what the blueprint the front office laid out is, this team will contend in 2012 or 2013. 

You have to take advantage of your record and try to stay in the race. 

That doesn’t mean trading top flight prospects, but it does mean not settling with has become a bench that may be among the game’s worst. 

With Shin-Soo Choo likely out for 6-8 weeks, and with Grady Sizemore continuing to struggle, the Indians need to look internally for more offense. 

The starting pitching has been solid for the most part and if they can take a lead into the late innings, they have benefited by having one of the best relief corps in the game behind them.

Hopefully, Chisenhall is the first of a few young players making the trek up I-71 to Cleveland.  Anybody who has shown an ability to hit would be welcome.

MW