In GM Mark Shapiro’s year end "State of the Tribe" address, he indicated that the ballclub’s needs were limited to the bullpen and second base.  He talked that the offense, which finished 2nd in baseball in runs scored did not need any tinkering. 

 

The bullpen is the biggest need, undoubtedly.  My belief is rather than chase a closer who is not available, the Indians should stock up on established set up men, one of which could become the guy who gets the final three outs.  This year’s Tribe blew more games in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings than in the final frame.  The early part of the season, when the campaign went south by the way, the problem was not Bob Wickman, it was getting to him.  Getting three experienced set up men (who have pitched and been successful in the American League) should be the biggest priority.

 

Second base is the next item for consideration, and no I don’t want Ronnie Belliard back.  He turns the double play well, but his range is mediocre, that’s why he plays in short right field.  Swinging a trade for Orlando Hudson would be a great idea, since he is a gold glove defender and has a little pop in his bat.  Otherwise, Shapiro should get a one year stop gap and plan on Trevor Crowe making the transition to the keystone in 2008.

 

However, even though the club scored a ton of runs in 2006, the offense needs to be addressed.  This team strikes out way, way, way, too much.  It lead the AL in whiffs.  Had Casey Blake not been injured this past season, the Tribe would have had five regular fan 100 times (Peralta, Sizemore, Hafner, Michaels, and Blake).  To me, that’s one reason this team loses close games.  It can’t do the little things at the plate because they don’t make good enough contact. 

 

I’m not talking about bunting.  That play is way overrated.  I’m talking about stealing runs early in games with ground balls and other outs.  Early in games, especially in the AL, defenses play back giving you free runs.  If the batter strikes out, the offense doesn’t take advantage.  That missing run can come back to haunt a team later in the game. 

 

Shapiro needs to get a professional hitter to bat after Travis Hafner.  Alfonso Soriano is NOT that guy.  Carlos Lee would be perfect, but will be too expensive.  Perhaps a hitter in the last years of his deal is out there and the Tribe can steal him for a year or two. 

 

Yes, the bullpen and 2B are the chief needs for the Tribe.  But ignoring the striking out problem on offense is like burying your head in the sand.  I don’t regard Mark Shapiro as an ostrich.

 

MW

 

Watching the Browns’ game yesterday, I turned to my wife early in the third quarter and told her the Browns would win the game.  Keep in mind Cleveland was trailing 21-10 at the time.  The reason for my optimism was the way the guys with the orange helmets were dominating the contest.  The Raiders scored on a horrible fumble call and a long run by LaMont Jordan.  Otherwise, the Browns controlled the contest. 

 

Early on the third down bugaboo came back for the Browns’ defense.  They would force Oakland into third and long situations and not be able to get off the field by allowing a first down.  However, as the game went on the defense got better.  In fact, Cleveland defenders held the silver and black to 4 out of 12 in third down situations.  Offensively, the Browns went 8 for 15 in these situations, which means the Raider defense had to stay on the field. 

 

The defense figured things out and overcame the loss of arguably its best player, Leigh Bodden to an ankle injury.  Coordinator Todd Grantham took advantage of facing a young QB by blitzing him constantly.  First round pick Kamerion Wimbley continues to impress sacking Andrew Walter twice.  Simon Fraser keeps making plays as he picked up a sack as well.  And it appears that Butch Davis left us at least two good players (Winslow) as Sean Jones had an interception and keeps playing well at safety.

 

The offense kept getting the ball to its best players, especially after Maurice Carthon rediscovered Kellen Winslow in the second half.  Winslow made the key catch of the game on a 4th and 8 early in the third quarter to continue a drive that resulted in his own TD.  Braylon Edwards caught six balls, and Reuben Droughns had his first 100 yard game of the season.  The only real negative was Frye’s horrible interception late in the fourth quarter.  Experience will tell Charlie to throw those away in the future. 

 

Joe Jurevicius returned to the lineup and scored his first touchdown in a Browns uniform.  I would be remiss if the special teams weren’t mentionned.  Joshua Cribbs had two long kickoff returns and Dennis Norhtcutt almost took a punt back the distance too.  All three returns were major factors in the comeback. 

 

Now, everyone must realize that Cleveland may have played the worst team in the NFL yesterday.  The Raiders are god awful, and it doesn’t help that their supposed best player, Randy Moss phoned one in yesterday.  Next week will be a different story as they take on the Carolina Panthers, one of the better teams in the NFC.  Romeo Crennel’s guys will have to continue to improve or they will be blown out.  But, some good things are starting to show for the Browns.

 

If he stays healthy, Winslow will be the second Brown to make the Pro Bowl since 1999.  Edwards is living up to his #3 pick in the draft status.  Frye is a gutty leader who can make plays.  On defense, players like Wimbley, Jones, and Bodden could give the orange and brown three legitimate defensive stars.  The Browns have now played two good games and two stinkers.  The three teams they lost to have combined records of 10-2.  It’s not like they are losing to the Titans or the 49ers.  Maybe some good things are on the horizon.

 

One thing is for sure.  This team needs the bye week to heal up some key players for the rest of the season.

 

JD

 

This is the saddest time of the year for a baseball fan.  The season is ending, the weather is getting cooler, and no playoffs again this year.  Even though I lived 37 years before the Indians played in a post season game, this five year drought is annoying as well.  Especially this year when we were all filled with hope.  I have a feeling that at least one key member of this year’s Tribe will not be in Winter Haven next February when spring training starts.  With three games remaining, here are some things we learned about the Indians in 2006.

 

1).  They have two superstars.  Too bad this isn’t the NBA, because that would be enough to get you close to a championship.  Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner are not only the Indians’ best players, they are among the best players in the game.  Sizemore is already being touted as a guy who might be THE best player in baseball in a few years.  He is putting up historical numbers at 24 years old.  Hafner is now the best player in baseball to never make an All-Star Game.  He is arguably the most potent offensive player in the game right now.  His mixture of power, average, and patience make him better than Boston’s David Ortiz.  If the Indians were contenders, both of these guys would be MVP candidates. 

 

2).  They have an ace starting pitcher.  C.C. Sabathia has blossomed since the All-Star break in ’05, and this year put together a tremendous season.  His 3.32 ERA ranks in the top five in the AL, and his six complete games lead the majors.  The only teams with better #1 starters in the American League are Minnesota (Johan Santana) and Toronto (Roy Halladay).  People will continue to complain about his weight and the way he wears his cap, the he’s only 26 years old and he’s won 81 games in the majors.  He’s developed into the ace of the staff.

 

3).  The farm system is starting to produce.  For years, baseball experts have been raving about the Indians’ farm system and this year fans started to see the fruits from the minors.  Lefty Jeremy Sowers made a great impression as a starter and will open 2007 in the rotation barring an injury.  Ryan Garko has been an RBI machine, and will likely be next season’s first baseman.  Kevin Kouzmanoff hit .380 combined in AA and AAA, and began his big league career with a grand slam homer in his first at bat.  Despite a 1-10 record, Fausto Carmona looks like he has a big time arm.  In addition, Adam Miller, Chuck Lofgren, and Trevor Crowe had outstanding minor league seasons and will be among next season’s Top 100 Prospects.  The front office’s emphasis on player development is starting to pay off.

 

4).  Build a better bullpen.  I hope Mark Shapiro realizes this off season that it is important to build the bullpen from the ground up.  Get some good arm for relief and then look for the closer later.  Even with Bob Wickman on the roster, the relief corp was terrible.  Here’s hoping Shapiro act quickly to add some reliable arms to pitch the 7th and 8th innings as well as finding a closer.  Losing games in the ninth wasn’t the problem early in the year, the Tribe was blowing the games in the 6th, 7th, and 8th.  This was the major weakness on a club that finished in the top half of the AL in runs scored and starters’ ERA.   

 

Even though the loss of baseball is a tough thing to go through, the true baseball fan has the hot stove league to look forward to.  They can also keep their eye on the Arizona Fall League to see how the up and coming prospects are performing.  This is a key off season for the Cleveland Indians.  The building blocks are in place, no matter what the critics say.  If Shapiro pulls the right strings, the Indians can stop the current playoff gap at 5 years.

 

JK

 

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