MLB FanHouse

Cliff Lee Doesn't Like to Move, Hates Carlos Gomez' Bunting Prowess

Tom Fornelli — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:24:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Minnesota, Indians, Twins, AL Central, MLB Gossip

The 2008 season has been a great one for Cliff Lee, despite the fact that just about everything else has gone wrong when it comes to the Indians team he plays for. Lee has rebounded from a horrible 2007 campaign to go 11-2 with a 2.43 ERA this season, and was just named the AL starter in the All Star Game. So you would think that he'd probably be in a pretty good mood, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Apparently the success and newfound fame has gone to Cliff's head, because he doesn't think he should have to move around or field the ball anymore. That can be the only reason why he got mad at the Twins' Carlos Gomez on Sunday after Gomez laid down a bunt in the first inning.

Gomez attempted to bunt on an 0-2 pitch in the first inning but pushed the ball too close to the mound. Lee fielded the ball, threw him out, then said something to Gomez after the play.

Lee and Gomez then jawed at each other after Gomez reached on an infield single in the third.

"I was just trying to do my job and he ... jumped on me,'' Gomez said after the Twins won 4-3. "He say, 'Stop bunting.' But not like that. With bad language.

"And I say, 'You do your job and I do my job.' My coaches tell me what we have to do."

"I know he won't be mad when he throws me four sliders in a row,'' Gomez said. "It's your job to do whatever, throw me 10 sliders in a row. If I strike out, OK. I get you next time. But don't be mad when I bunt.''

Yeah, I'm not sure why Lee would get upset with Gomez here. Isn't a batter helping you out when he tries to bunt on an 0-2 count? After all, if he fouls it off, he's out. That's what a pitchers goal is, isn't it? To get the hitter out? Does Cliff just not want to have to leave the mound or be forced to make extra throws?

Maybe he just hasn't paid any attention to Carlos this season, because if he had, he'd know that the rook attempts to lay down about two bunts a game. You see, speed is his greatest asset, and by bunting he can utilize that speed to get on base. Just like how Cliff has completely abandoned throwing breaking pitches this season and become a fastball/changeup pitcher after seeing hitters take those breaking balls and smack them 450 feet on a routine basis.

So come on, Cliff, let the kid do his job and you do yours. That way everybody wins. Well, except you, because you play for Cleveland.

Cliff Lee Doesn't Like to Move, Hates Carlos Gomez' Bunting Prowess originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's Time For One More Change in Cleveland

Tom Fornelli — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:04:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central

So now that the Cleveland Indians have shipped C.C. Sabathia off to Milwaukee, we can officially say that the Indians are done trying to win in 2008. The focus has now been moved to preparing this team for the 2009 season and trying to figure out which pieces fit into that picture, and which ones don't.

While none of us can see the future, there is something about this Indians team that most of us have known for quite a while, and that is the fact that Grady Sizemore will not be a lead-off hitter his entire career. When Grady first came up with the Indians, everybody knew he was destined to be a middle of the order type guy, but with the Indians monster lineup the last few seasons, there was no need to do it.

Well, it's time now. Grady has grown up and he's ready to be the guy the Indians build their lineup around. Travis Hafner's power and ability to make contact with the ball have magically* disappeared and there's no guarantee they'll ever come back, so there is an opening.

Eric Wedge is currently batting Ben Francisco third, and Jhonny Peralta in the clean-up spot (where Jhonny's been raking). Meanwhile, Sizemore has an OPS of .914 and leads the American League with 22 home runs, yet he only has 50 RBI. How can that be? Well, since Grady hits lead-off, 16 of his 22 taters have come with nobody on base.

When you're having trouble scoring runs, wouldn't you want your best hitter and best power hitter to come to the plate with runners on base? Doesn't that make more sense? Now I know what some of you Indians fans are thinking: it doesn't matter where Grady hits because nobody else on this damn team gets on base.

A good point, but Grady's more likely to have runners on when Jamey Carroll and Casey Blake are ahead of him in the lineup than he is with David Dellucci and Ryan Garko doing it.

I know the Indians tried Grady in the three spot for a bit last season after trading for Kenny Lofton, and he struggled a little, but that's no reason to keep him from doing it again this season. Maybe he just wasn't ready for it in 2007, but he clearly is now.

Now I'm not saying that moving Grady down in the order is going to fix everything with Cleveland's offense this year, but it will make a lot more sense for the team heading into 2009. If Eric Wedge doesn't see this, then maybe there are two more changes that need to be made in Cleveland, with the second being a new manager.

*Magically meaning the Mitchell Report came out and baseball is cracking down on steroids. Yeah, I said it.

It's Time For One More Change in Cleveland originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's Official: C.C. Sabathia Will Be a Brewer

Pat Lackey — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:35:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, Brewers, AL Central, NL Central, Milwaukee, MLB Transactions

As anyone that closely followed the Erik Bedard saga last winter knows, it can be a long way from "We've agreed on a deal in principle" to players actually switching teams. Things aren't going to take that long with this Brewers/Indians trade, though, because the Brewers have announced a press conference for noon (11 AM Central) and if they don't announce a C.C. Sabathia trade, then .... actually, don't worry about it. They're announcing the trade.

The other key today is that the trade has expanded from "Matt LaPorta and someone" to "Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson, and someone that may or may not be Taylor Green." Jackson's not much, but Bryson's an extremely young reliever with some good numbers in the low minors and Green's a good-hitting, young third base prospect.

If Green is the fourth piece of the puzzle for the Indians, they managed to pull about as good of a haul from the Brewers system that they could ask for without getting Alcides Escobar or Mat Gamel. The Brewers, meanwhile, managed to pick up the best available starting pitcher by only giving up one blue chip prospect. It's pretty rare that a trade like this ends up as a win for both teams, but at least it's got a chance to shake out well for both the Brewers and Indians.

It's Official: C.C. Sabathia Will Be a Brewer originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Indians Add Jeff Weaver to Help Ease a Post-C.C. Transition (Good Luck With That)

Mullet — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, MLB Transactions

This oughta make fans in Cleveland sleep better. They might be losing C.C. Sabathia eventually, but replacements are on the way. The Indians will make sure that the baseball season will go on better than ever. For when this Sabathia trade finally does happen, seamlessly stepping in will be: Jeff Weaver.

Yes, circumstances continue to enable Weaver to find work as the Indians have signed him to a minor league deal to provide a warm body take up innings for the Tribe, no matter what might happen. At least Weaver is long past the point of getting big dollars on the strength of his best season (which was 14-11 with the Dodgers in '05), or the strength of a very good postseason in '06 with the Cardinals (surprised that Dave Duncan could make Kyle Lohse a 10-2 pitcher ... how about what he did with Weaver in '06 after the Angels released him mid-season at 3-10?)

Ah, fun times in Cleveland.

Indians Add Jeff Weaver to Help Ease a Post-C.C. Transition (Good Luck With That) originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joe Borowski is the First Casualty of Tribe Purge ... Is C.C. Sabathia Next?

Mullet — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:35:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, Brewers, AL Central, NL Central, MLB Rumors, Milwaukee

Consider Joe Borowski, he of the higher ERA than save total for the season (7.56 to six), the first shoe. Borowski has been designated for assignment by the highly disappointing Cleveland Indians, who have gone from A.L. Central Champions to the team most likely to dump their ace.

Borowski always had a high ERA ... it was over five last season. But when you add in 45 saves for a winning team, a high ERA from your closer is a little easier to take. But on this Cleveland team, there's almost no reason to have a guy like Borowski, especially if they want to look at younger guys (like Jensen Lewis and Brian Slocum, who were called up from Buffalo). Now the question is this: Is C.C. Sabathia the other shoe? And if so, where is he going?

Milwaukee seems to be a good bet.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Brewers are offering top prospect Matt LaPorta and shortstop Alcides Escobar for C.C. Sabathia.

Rosenthal has a lot of sources and quotes some of them anonymously as saying that LaPorta, a first-round draft pick last year now playing the outfield at Huntsville, and teammate Escobar are being offered for the big left-hander.

Considering how the Brewers blew a 5-0 lead against the Diamondbacks yesterday, the Brewers may want to look at Borowski too.

Joe Borowski is the First Casualty of Tribe Purge ... Is C.C. Sabathia Next? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mark Shapiro Should Be Working the Phones

Tom Fornelli — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:12:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central

While the idea of the Cleveland Indians trading C.C. Sabathia before the trade deadline is far from a new one, it's probably a lot closer to becoming a reality today. The Indians were just swept by the White Sox, and have no fallen to last place in the AL Central, 12.5 games back at 37-48.

I think it's safe to say that the Indians are done in 2008. Maybe the doctor hasn't called the time of death yet, but he's at least in the waiting room letting the Tribe's family know that things aren't looking good. Which would mean that keeping Sabathia around in Cleveland for the rest of the season would be absolutely pointless.

He's not going to sign a long term deal with the Indians after the season, not because he doesn't enjoy playing there, but because somebody's going to drive up to his home with a trailer full of cash. So Indians general manager Mark Shapiro should probably be picking up the phone today to let other teams know that C.C. is officially available.

There have already been plenty of rumors and potential suitors like the Rays, Red Sox, Yankees, Phillies, and Cubs to name a few, but for the most part, everything we've heard has come from an outside source. If Shapiro has been actively shopping Sabathia on his own, he's done a very good job of keeping it quiet.

Now, I'm not saying that Shapiro should be calling every team that's interested in his lefthander and trying to make a deal, I'm just saying he should let it be known he's willing to listen. All he has to do is sit back and wait for the phone to start ringing, and it will. A lot.

Then leak some info as to what's being offered and then watch everybody try to top each other. It should be fun!

Mark Shapiro Should Be Working the Phones originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Deck: The End of Interleague Is Nigh

Josh Alper — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago, Cleveland, Minnesota, White Sox, Indians, Twins, Cubs, Reds, Brewers, Cincinnati, Milwaukee

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing matchups

Chicago Cubs (49-30) vs. Chicago White Sox (43-35) - 4:05 PM ET

The final weekend of interleague play for the season kicks off in the Bronx at 2 but the most meaningful game is in Chicago. The two Chicago clubs are in first, just as they were last week, but the White Sox can't afford another sweep at the hands of their crosstown rivals. The Twins are hard on their tail, a half-game back as play begins today, and there's that whole bragging rights thing to worry about too.

They'll need to do a better job against Ryan Dempster (9-2, 2.63) this time around. He held the Sox to one run in eight innings to win Sunday's finale at Wrigley Field. Dempster's won his last four decisions in what's turned out to be a very successful conversion from bullpen to rotation. They'll also need a better outing from their own starter. Jose Contreras (6-6, 3.96) got thrashed for 10 hits and nine runs in three and a third innings.

He'd do well to avoid Aramis Ramirez at all costs. Ramirez hit a three-run homer last Saturday and is 7-for-14 with four homers and 10 RBI in his career against the White Sox starter. That's good news for the short-handed Cubs who have more of a cushion than the White Sox but a similarly smoking second-place team behind them in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Brewers (43-35) vs. Minnesota Twins (43-36) - 8:10 PM ET

Speaking of those second place teams, they'll be doing battle this weekend in the underrated battle for bragging rights across the upper Midwest. It helps that they are the two hottest teams in baseball. The Twins have reeled off nine straight wins, gaining six games in the standings, while the Brewers have taken eight of their last 10 to continue their surprising climb back into the NL Central race.

The Twins have been more than good of late, they've been dominant. Their starters are 8-0 with a 2.17 ERA and their offense has outscored the opposition 56-17 in the past nine. Nick Blackburn (6-4, 3.68) will try to keep things rolling on the mound and try to push the Twins closer to their franchise record of 11 straight wins. He'll be facing Seth McClung (5-3, 3.79) who, on June 15th, was the last pitcher to beat the Twins. He allowed four hits and two runs over six innings in that contest.

Cincinnati Reds (36-44) vs. Cleveland Indians (36-43) - 7:05 PM ET

This series may be the point of no return for the Tribe. Whatever slim hopes they have of getting back into the race could be extinguished with a poor performance in the Battle for Ohio. It's fitting, then, that C.C. Sabathia (5-8, 4.06) gets the ball in the opener. Word is that they are making one last try to sign the pending free agent but if that doesn't work, there could be another move in store.

If the Indians do decide to throw in the towel, the bidding for Sabathia will be fast, furious and, potentially, quite fruitful to Cleveland's future. Sabathia's struck out 10 in each of his last two starts and is showing no signs of his April struggles. Daryl Thompson will be starting for the Reds. He made his big league debut with five shutout innings after getting lost on his way to Yankee Stadium so he shouldn't be fazed by big bad C.C.

Everybody Else
Mets vs. Yankees - 2:05 PM ET
Yankees vs. Mets - Second Game
Rockies vs. Tigers - 7:05 PM ET
Rays vs. Pirates - 7:05 PM ET
Braves vs. Blue Jays - 7:07 PM ET
Diamondbacks vs. Marlins - 7:10 PM ET
Orioles vs. Nationals - 7:35 PM ET
Red Sox vs. Astros - 8:05 PM ET
Phillies vs. Rangers - 8:05 PM ET
Cardinals vs. Royals - 8:10 PM ET
Mariners vs. Padres - 10:05 PM ET
Giants vs. A's - 10:05 PM ET
Angels vs. Dodgers - 10:40 PM ET

On Deck: The End of Interleague Is Nigh originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are the Indians Trying to Sign Sabathia?

Tom Fornelli — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:47:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, MLB Gossip, MLB Rumors

Things have finally bottomed out in Cleveland. Thanks to the Royals dominance over the National League these last few weeks (a record of 12-3) and the continued struggles of the Tribe, even against the NL where most AL teams have been thriving, the Indians now find themselves in last place.

With every day that passes, the hope that the Indians might turn things around and get back to the top of the division where they were expected to be dwindles a bit more. A trade of C.C. Sabathia before the deadline becomes more likely with each passing day as well, but now there's word out of New York that the Indians are trying to lock Sabathia up instead of trading him.

According to a major-league executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was discussing a player not on his team, the Cleveland Indians are making a last-ditch attempt to sign ace Sabathia to a contract extension before trading him.

Okay, so I have a few problems with this rumor. First of all, it's appearing in the New Jersey Star Ledger, and the Yankees are one of the teams interested in Sabathia. Second of all, the source is an executive from another team, and I'm not sure how that team would know the Indians were thinking about keeping Sabathia around all of a sudden.

Besides, the Indians and Sabathia couldn't come to terms on a new deal during spring training, and Sabathia has said he doesn't want to negotiate during the season. There's also the fact that the Indians aren't going to offer C.C. Johan Santana-type money, while somebody else probably will this off-season. Sabathia has no reason to stay in Cleveland at this point.

So I'm just not buying this, I think it's just some rival executive (let's say, Theo Epstein, just for kicks) trying to mess with the Yankees minds.

Are the Indians Trying to Sign Sabathia? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wahoo! Messenger: 10 Little Indians Part 2

B. Thompson Stroud — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:53:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, The Dugout

Don't believe his lies. Ketchup is 1000% Rudo.

Earlier this afternoon we began our two part exposé on the Cleveland Indians with 10 Little Indians Part 1, a literate essay regarding the damage and anguish these athletes put their bodies and families through to entertain us. No longer just the national pastime, baseball can not be enjoyed on any reasonable level and must be deconstructed minute-by-minute to absorb and exploit any minutia hoping to escape unsaberly-metricked.

After the jump, part 2 of 2. While you're waiting for it to load, please buy The Dugout brand t-shirts. All proceeds go toward serious journalism.

The Dugout

	PostcardsFromTheWedge: And you say this is happening to your ball club, too?
	bobbycoxer: It's the weirdest thing. Y'know, Jair Jurrjens was walking down his steps when a piece of masonry came loose an fell an killed him.
	bobbycoxer: I'd chalked it up to either being on a team with a racist name, or on account a Turner Field being built on top of an ancient Injun burial ground.
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: But if it's happening in Atlanta AND in Cleveland it can't be a coincidence... it's gotta be foul play, don't it?
	bobbycoxer: that's what I was thinkin'.
	bobbycoxer: hey, do you know what time it is?
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: /looks at watch It's "Tribe Time" now.
	bobbycoxer: Ah crap I got a dentist appointment scheduled for 15 after Tribe Time good luck with yer team, hope you win a game on the road sometime this year
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: Yeah, you too. /hangs up phone
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: where did we stop, five?
	PhillieFauxnatic: /shrugs
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: I think it was five.
	Online Host ...and then there were five. Five little Indian boyss, hoping they can score...
	TheDefeatedVictor: ...and then Manny turns to Pervez Musharraf and goes, "manny being pakistani"
	BigLeagueChoo: ROR
	TheDefeatedVictor: see, that's why I changed my buddy icon, we need funny stuff like that to happen around the clubhouse. Man, Cleveland is so boring.
	TheDefeatedVictor: I was born in Venezuela! I can be funny and ethnic! Man, nothing ever happens around here.
	BigLeagueChoo: no, nothing ever happen
	TheDefeatedVictor: Nope.
	TheDefeatedVictor: ....
	BigLeagueChoo: ....
	Online Host AND HERE COME THE HOT DOGS!
	BigLeagueChoo: gasps
	TheDefeatedVictor: YES, YES
	Mustard: /rounds third
	Ketchup: /rounds third
	Onion: /rounds third
	TheDefeatedVictor: COME ON KETCHUP, YOU GOT IT BABY, YOU GOT IT
	BigLeagueChoo: go rerish!
	Mustard: /rounds home, heads for the finish
	Ketchup: /rounds home, heads for the finish
	Onion: /rounds home, heads for the finish
	BigLeagueChoo: go rerish go!
	TheDefeatedVictor: it's a mustard hot dog a ketchup hot dog and an onion hot dog running, man, there ain't no relish hot dog
	BigLeagueChoo: no rerish?
	Mustard: /rushes toward the finish at first base
	Ketchup: /drops mayonnaise slick to stall opponents
	Onion: /breaks leg /is put out of her misery and eaten on the field
	Online Host AND KETCHUP IS THE WINNER! SECTION 556 ROW C GETS FREE HOT DOGS COURTESY OF SUGARDALE
	TheDefeatedVictor: YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT, MY BOY KETCHUP, YEAH BOY /gives anthropomorphic weiner high five
	Ketchup: /high fives too hard
	TheDefeatedVictor: AUUUUGHH /clutches elbow
	BigLeagueChoo: oh no what happen to you average manny??
	TheDefeatedVictor: My elbow! Shit! I think it's inflamed!
	BigLeagueChoo: inframation nooooo
	Online Host One blew out his elbow, and then there were four. Four little Indian boys, paid a hefty fee...
	NeedsABathia: I don't have anything against Cleveland, but my contract is up at the end of this year and a lot of teams with a lot to offer need an ace...
	NeedsABathia: ...so I'm willing to hear you out and figure out where I'm gonna go from there. Chicago, you can go first. .
	grand_marquis: welp, we've got a real strong club this year, we're 3 1/2 games up on the NL Central and we've got the best record in baseball
	grand_marquis: unfortunately Carlos Zambrano's shoulder is inflamed and he's going to miss some starts
	grand_marquis: right here before the all-star break we can't afford to start losing ground, so getting another ace to replace and then later join him would keep us strong and then push us into World Series contention
	grand_marquis: I'm not sure if we've got a quality of minor league prospect good enough to trade for a C.C. Sabathia, but we're certainly willing to show and offer to Cleveland the best of what we've got.
	NeedsABathia: very nice, all of that seems reasonable.
	NeedsABathia: All right, New York?
	e5_rod: JOO SHOULT COME PLAY WITH US SISSY SABATHIA
	Online Host One left by the trade deadline, and then there were three. Three little Indian boys with nothing much to do...
	FromVictorToKelly: hey, somebody's throwing a ball at me, wonder what i should do with it
	Online Host /passed ball
	FromVictorToKelly: say i wonder why they call these the tools of ignorance, derp de derp
	FromVictorToKelly: GURK /collapses forward with sharpened candlestick sticking out of back
	Online Host Kelly Shoppach is freaking horrible, and then there were two.
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: So who's next? Wait, there's two of us here, you don't s'pose they mean...
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: Slider? /looks around Slider?
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: Sluh...slider?
	PhillieFauxnatic: /slowly removes shag carpet helmet
	PhillieFauxnatic: And then.... there was one. /draws pistol

Photos link to player info. WordUpThome.com Photo Credit: Getty Images

Wahoo! Messenger: 10 Little Indians Part 2 originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wahoo! Messenger: 10 Little Indians Part 1

B. Thompson Stroud — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, The Dugout

The Cleveland Indians are struggling, and things keep getting worse. Players are going down to injuries left and right, the White Sox are at the top of the division, and if they don't pay attention they could end up behind Detroit AND Kansas City. So what's the cause? Who is to blame?

Well, Yankees Chick blames Kyle Farnsworth. Matt Snyder (Dugout SN: AlongCameASnyder) has his own ideas. But once again it is The Dugout who cuts through the melodrama and bias of sports writing on the Internet to bring you the true story; a story of intrigue that could only have been birthed in the depths of the most deductive scientific minds.

Join us for part 1 of 10 Little Indians, after the jump.

The Dugout

	Online Host One little, two little, three little Indians Four little, five little, six little Indians Seven little, eight little, nine little Indians Ten little Indian boys.
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: /is swept by the Rockies, who aren't even supposed to be good this year
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: Dammit, this is terrible. Fourth place! We're supposed to be at the top of the division. What the hell has happened to my team?
	PhillieFauxnatic: /shrugs
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: Well, think about it. When did things start to go wrong?
	Online Host Ten little Indian boys, shoulders out of line...
	SoloffShotgun: C'mon Pronk, swing the bat a little. Let's see how that shoulder is coming along.
	Pronky_Kong: sigghhhh /picks up bat /half-heartedly check swings /drops bat
	SoloffShotgun: I don't get it. There doesn't seem to be anything medically wrong with your shoulder, I don't know what's making you swing so badly.
	Pronky_Kong: I dunno, whatever /plops down on couch
	SoloffShotgun: ... uh, are you having problems at home?
	Pronky_Kong: no
	SoloffShotgun: Are you sick? Are you feeling physically sick?
	Pronky_Kong: I don't know, I guess
	SoloffShotgun: You seem like you're depressed. Are you depressed?
	Pronky_Kong: I don't know man, I finally got my spirits up when Triple H ended the Era of Orton and then Vickie Guerrero had to start doing this to the Undertaker
	Pronky_Kong: the Deadman is a legend, she shouldn't treat him this way, he won the title fair and square with the mysterious submission, she's just playing favorites for Edge
	Pronky_Kong: god i just want to die
	Online Host One watched too much Smackdown!, and then there were nine. Nine little Indian boys, pitching pretty great...
	IlGrandeFausto: hey how come everybody else got they team picture taken in a seafood restaurant and i didn't
	SoloffShotgun: Before I forget, I need to give you this.
	IlGrandeFausto: this a I.D. bracelet or a thermometer
	SoloffShotgun: It's a "LifeAlert" bracelet. We're concerned about your health and I can't be everywhere at once, so if something bad happens you just hit that button and I can come help you.
	IlGrandeFausto: man i ain't need no bracelet, that's gay /throws LifeAlert in trash
	Online Host Later that night
	IlGrandeFausto: /slips in shower /breaks hip
	IlGrandeFausto: I'VE FWALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!
	Online Host One got injured like your Grandmother might've, and then there were eight. Eight little Indian boys, number 37...
	JakeAndTheFatman: oh man, Mark Prior is injured again, what a riot.
	JakeAndTheFatman: And according to this, Curt Schilling is injured again and probably won't ever pitch again. Tough break!
	JakeAndTheFatman: And... and Bartolo Colon is injured too? Wait a minute, what day is it?
	JakeAndTheFatman: /looks at calendar IT'S JUNE ALREADY???
	JakeAndTheFatman: /ties baby grand piano to elaborate pulley system /lifts piano into air /stands under piano
	JakeAndTheFatman: like I'm supposed to know what month it is
	Online Host One remembered he was Jake Westbrook, and then there were seven. Seven little Indian boys, having trouble swinging sticks...
	DoubleDrubal: Loanie, do joo know why they woul make my team photo seepia-toant?
	SoloffShotgun: because your career is dead like Optimus Prime
	DoubleDrubal: oh no give me the bat, i will proof myself
	SoloffShotgun: /lobs ball
	DoubleDrubal: /miss
	DoubleDrubal: /miss
	DoubleDrubal: /miss
	DoubleDrubal: /miss
	DoubleDrubal: /foul tip
	DoubleDrubal: /miss
	DoubleDrubal: ok but coul you tell everybody i broke my legs or somethingk
	SoloffShotgun: absolutely
	Online Host One broke both of his legs and got sent down to Triple-A, and then there were six. Six little Indian boys, playing for the Tribe...
	Barf: hey, this is pretty cool, I'm glad to be starting at second again.
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: good to have you back in the lineup. We've got the Looch in left, the Goot in right, and now we've got the Barf.
	Barf: I'm pretty important, right? After me you don't have a second baseman.
	PostcardsFromTheWedge: Not exactly, we traded for a backup. But don't look directly at him.
	Barf: wa-huh? Why?
	DEMON: SKREEEEEEE
	Barf: AH NO HIS FACE, HIS HIDEOUS FACE BLEARGGHHHHHH
	Online Host One had his face melted off Christo-Nazi style, and then there were five.

Photos link to player info. WordUpThome.com Photo Credit: Getty Images

Wahoo! Messenger: 10 Little Indians Part 1 originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interleague Baseball Is Boring: Cleveland-Rockies Live Blog

B. Thompson Stroud — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:52:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Denver, Indians, Rockies, AL Central, NL West, MLB Live Blogging, The Dugout

THE ESSENTIALS
The Indians (33-39) start Jeremy Sowers (0-1, 7.23 ERA).
The Cubs (42-24) start Jorge De La Rosa (1-3, 6.89 ERA).

ANALYSIS
During the last Cleveland Baseball is Boring authored by myself, I mistakenly classified the Indians as a fighting type. As I said before, I go to a lot of games, and if you watch any video package at Progressive Field you're bombarded with images of the Indians doing things (hitting, making diving catches, pitching) with lightning flashing all around them. So, I guess they're an electric-type. This is unfortunate, because the Colorado Rockies are a rock-type (duh), and electric attacks have no effect on rock-types. I mean, unless somebody in the stands throws a bucket of water on them during the game.

PREDICTION
Rockies over Indians, 5-3.

QUICK NOTE ABOUT THIS LIVE BLOG
From here forth, my banal and worthless commentary can be read in the box below. It updates much like a one-way instant messenger conversation does, which means you do not need to keep refreshing the page. Feel free to comment in the box at the bottom -- if your sentiment is funny or poorly-informed enough, I may just post it in the blog. Enjoy!

Interleague Baseball Is Boring: Cleveland-Rockies Live Blog originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Yankees Make a Run at C.C. Sabathia?

Josh Alper — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, New York, Yankees, Indians, MLB Gossip

The news that Victor Martinez will be joining several of his teammates on the disabled list for at least six weeks makes it hard to see the Indians making the turnaround they'll need to get back into the playoff race. That has naturally lit the fire under talks about a potential trade of C.C. Sabathia before July 31st. He's going to be a free agent, will cost more than the Indians can afford and will have suitors all around baseball.

One of them could be the Yankees. They didn't bite on Johan Santana over the offseason but playing field has changed a bit. The Yankees got nothing from their young starters early and have been treading water. No AL team has run away with anything, though, and Sabathia would make them very dangerous.They figured to be bidders for Sabathia in the offseason anyway, what with $75 million coming off the payroll, so what difference does a few months and a few prospects make?

The Indians have to figure out if what they get will be worth more than the two draft picks they are guaranteed. Tyler Kepner of the New York Times drops the struggling Robinson Cano's name into the mix. It seems unlikely that the Yankees would deal him but if he were packaged with a pair of AA/AAA prospects, it would be hard for the Indians to resist. The Cubs figure to be bidders as well, and the Tribe would surely prefer Sabathia is out of the AL, but it should be an interesting six weeks.

Will Yankees Make a Run at C.C. Sabathia? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Victor Martinez to Undergo MRI on Elbow

Tom Fornelli — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, MLB Injuries

The Cleveland Indians haven't been having much luck with elbows lately, as the team recently found out they've lost starter Jake Westbrook for the season with an elbow problem, and now elbow problems may rob them of Victor Martinez for some time.

While it initially seemed like Martinez had re-injured the hamstring that landed him on the disabled list earlier in the year when he had to leave Wednesday night's game after running out a ground ball to first, it turns out that Victor aggravated an elbow injury he's been dealing with for a while now.

''Victor has been having right elbow soreness and pain,'' manager Eric Wedge said, adding that Martinez aggravated the injury on a swing. ''It's something he has been battling all year. But Victor is a tough cookie, one of the toughest players I've seen.

''They'll [MRI] scan him [Thursday], and we'll go from there. So we don't know how it will play out.''

Martinez wasn't available for comment after the game yesterday, but Wedge said the elbow has been bothering for a while, which may help explain why he's only been hitting only .208 in his last 21 games, and has seen his average drop from .356 on May 1st to it's current .278. The elbow is also probably a factor in Victor's lack of power this season, as he's yet to hit a home run after averaging over 20 a season the last four years.

Victor Martinez to Undergo MRI on Elbow originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is it Time to Move C.C.?

Tom Fornelli — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:52:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, MLB Rumors

While during the first few weeks of the season I was of the opinion that the Cleveland Indians were going to bounce back from their slow start, now that we've gotten into the second week of June, and nothing has changed I'm no longer so sure about that. While Cleveland's starting rotation is still performing well, the offense doesn't look like it's going to get out of it's rut anytime soon.

Which is enough to make you wonder: With the trade deadline less than two months away, is it time for the Indians to start shopping C.C. Sabathia?

There have been rumors that while they're not actively shopping him yet, that Mark Shapiro has let it be known amongst other general managers that he's willing to listen.

The Indians are already going to be without Jake Westbrook for the rest of the season thanks to his elbow (and let's not forget Fausto Carmona who is also on the disabled list), so it might not seem like the best timing to move another starter, especially Sabathia, but the odds of C.C. returning to Cleveland when he hits free agency this winter are pretty slim. Not when you look at the way the Yankees pitching staff has performed and figure they'll probably be willing to break the bank for him.

If I was Shapiro, I would definitely be working the phones right now just to get an idea of what I'd be able to get for Sabathia( which may not be much, honestly, seeing how teams don't like to give up young talent anymore and C.C. is a free agent at year's end), though I probably wouldn't pull the trigger on anything quite yet. The Indians don't have to leave their own division to see an example of an offense that was dormant to start the season, but has become red-hot now that summer has arrived (the White Sox). There may still be hope yet.

Is it Time to Move C.C.? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Things Aren't Looking Good For Jake Westbrook's Elbow

Tom Fornelli — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:16:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, MLB Injuries

Cleveland Indians pitcher Jake Westbrook was just placed on the disabled list for the second time this season earlier in the week, and for those amongst the Cleveland faithful who were hoping Westbrook would be able to rejoin the team in a few weeks, things aren't looking too good right now. While the Indians medical staff has formed their own opinion on Westbrook's elbow, it's never a bad idea to seek out another opinion, which is exactly what the Indians are doing.

Though the doctor they're sending Westbrook to is not a good sign.

Seldom is a pitcher's injury announced with the accompanying information that he is being placed on the disabled list immediately. Also, visiting famed surgeon Lewis Yocum is not routine procedure.

Head trainer Lonnie Soloffsaid that Westbrook will be examined by Yocum on Friday in Southern California. For now, that is all the team is saying.

So the Indians aren't saying much, but by sending Jake to see Dr. Yocum they've pretty much said all they need to. Yocum's claim to fame in baseball, aside from his day job as the Angels team doctor, is the amount of Tommy John surgeries he's performed on Major League pitchers throughout his career.

If the Indians are sending Westbrook to see him, it's safe to say that they weren't big fans of what they found when examining his elbow.

Things Aren't Looking Good For Jake Westbrook's Elbow originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jake Westbrook Just Can't Quit the DL

Tom Fornelli — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, MLB Injuries

I don't know if Cleveland Indians starter Jake Westbrook has enjoyed all the time he's spent on the disabled list the last two seasons, but I know he's having a hard time staying away from it. Just a few weeks after returning from his latest stint, Westbrook felt a little soreness in is elbow after his last start against the White Sox.

The Indians were hoping that it was nothing out of the ordinary, and that Jake would be fine in time for his next scheduled start tonight in Arlington against the Rangers. He won't be, as he's been placed back on the disabled list.

This poses an interesting problem for the Indians, as they have no idea who is going to take Jake's place in the rotation while he's down.

The club will make a corresponding roster move to bring up a pitcher from Triple-A Buffalo for Tuesday's game. Manager Eric Wedge said Monday night that Tuesday's starter had yet to be determined, and, with sixth starter Jeremy Sowers unavailable because of the seven innings he tossed Sunday, it was possible the Indians would use a host of relievers for the ballgame.

"We've got to talk about it," Wedge said. "We've got a couple different options, and we've got to get somebody on their way."

The problem is that the Indians are just running low on arms. Westbrook will be joining Fausto Carmona on the disabled list, and as mentioned in the quote above, the team's sixth starter Jeremy Sowers just pitched seven innings on Sunday so he isn't available.

Another option would have been Adam Miller, but he just had surgery to repair a tendon in a finger on his right hand, and he could be out for the rest of the season. There's also Brian Slocum down at Triple-A Buffalo, but he's pitched so well down there he just got himself demoted to the bullpen. Cleveland's other options are Josh Tomlin and Jeff Harris, but Tomlin was just called up to Buffalo to replace Slocum, and Harris is scheduled to start on Wednesday for Buffalo.

So it's entirely possible that reliever Tom Mastny will start for the Indians tonight, and that vaunted bullpen of theirs (and by vaunted, I mean terrible) will have to pitch the entire game.

Jake Westbrook Just Can't Quit the DL originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Where Did Victor Martinez's Power Go?

Tom Fornelli — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:14:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, MLB Gossip, MLB Injuries

The problems that the Cleveland Indians are having on offense this season can't all be pinned on one player in particular. It's really been an entire team effort, as there are only two players on the team who started on Opening Day who are currently hitting over .255 on the season. They are Grady Sizemore (checking in at a robust .258) and Victor Martinez, who is hitting .292.

Of course, even though Martinez has the highest batting average of all the Indians regulars (Ben Francisco is hitting .304, but he's only played in 26 games) he still hasn't been as productive as Sizemore. Grady may only be hitting .258, but he's slugging .488 and has an OPS of .859. Martinez, on the other hand, is slugging .351 with an OPS of .685.

Victor's career marks are .465 and .836. Of his 49 hits this season, 39 of them have been singles. The only extra base hits he's had are his 10 doubles, as Martinez is yet to hit a home run this season. Why the drop off in power for the catcher who's averaged 21 homers and 99 RBI over the last four seasons?

His manager, Eric Wedge, thinks it has a lot to do with the hamstring injury Martinez suffered on Opening Day against the White Sox.

"When he hits, his lower half is real active," said Wedge. "It all comes into play with him.

"Victor still feels it when he runs. It's affected his swing a little.

"Even when these guys don't play, they get hot [warm up] during games when they think they might go in. We're going to try and steer clear of him altogether and see if that helps on Monday."

Victor got the day off on Sunday in hopes that it will help his hamstring heal a bit, and can break him out of his current slump. Still, if it really is his hamstring that's causing him to lose all his power, I don't think one day off is going to do the job.

Especially when Martinez spends nine innings squatting behind the plate when he does play. Oh, and the Indians don't have another day off on the schedule until June 16th, so there's not going to be much opportunity for Victor to get any rest any time soon.

Where Did Victor Martinez's Power Go? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baseball Is Boring: Indians-Royals Live Blog

B. Thompson Stroud — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, Royals, AL Central, MLB Live Blogging, Kansas City, The Dugout

Baseball is America's pastime, but had our forefathers enjoyed the modern conveniences of clocks, ball pumps, or haste, this pastime may well have been basketball or football. Instead, they had wood, leather, and a rudderless disposition. Baseball is Boring is a series of live blogs for folks who need irony and self-awareness to get through a game.

From the Wikipedia article for "beard" - "A beard is the hair that grows on a human's chin, cheeks, neck, and the area above the upper lip (the opposite is a clean-shaven face). Typically, only post-pubescent males are able to grow beards. When differentiating between upper and lower facial hair, a beard specifically refers to the facial hair on the lower part of a man's chin."

The question here is, "how much lower part of a man's chin can one man have?" Peralta might as well cut his chest hair into a straight line and pretend it's his jawline. Sorry Jhonny, I want to look like Brad Pitt as much as the next guy, but when your head is shaped like a ripe melon a thin line of scruff isn't going to differentiate your neck fat from your head fat.

THE ESSENTIALS
The Indians (25-29) start C.C. Sabathia (3-6, 4.74 ERA)
The Royals (21-34) start Kyle Davies (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

ANALYSIS
If I learned nothing else from southern Virginia high school history class it's that Indians are a Fighting Type. They generally have a high attack, and are notable for being the only type that can inflict super-effective damage on Normal-Type Pokémon. I'm struggling to see the Royals as anything other than a "normal type." Cleveland's attack started off low but has gained a level or two in the past week, while Kansas City has lost 161 of their last 162 games and can have super-effective damage inflicted on them by pretty much anybody. If Cleveland brings any Pokémon whatsoever they should win this game. Let's just hope they can get out of the damn balls.

PREDICTION
Indians over Royals, 32-0.

QUICK NOTE ABOUT THIS LIVE BLOG
From here forth, my banal and worthless commentary can be read in the box below. It updates much like a one-way instant messenger conversation does, which means you do not need to keep refreshing the page. Feel free to comment in the box at the bottom -- if your sentiment is funny or poorly-informed enough, I may just post it in the blog. Enjoy!

Baseball Is Boring: Indians-Royals Live Blog originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 31 May 2008 19:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Travis Hafner's Shoulder is 'Pronky'

Mullet — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, MLB Injuries

Who knows how much of Travis Hafner's year long slump is attributed to injury, but certainly a recent portion of this season is injury related. Pronk's shoulder was bothering him for pretty much all of the recent White Sox series, so Eric Wedge had made the move to put Hafner on the DL.

Hafner, who missed the three-game series against Chicago, received a cortisone shot in his right shoulder Tuesday and was optimistic that he could return to the lineup Friday.

But as he dressed to catch a flight back to Cleveland, Hafner said, "I can't play today. I swung it today. The shoulder is still pretty weak. You're probably best off talking to (team trainer) Lonnie Soloff."

Okay ... what say you, Lonnie?

"Travis is obviously not ready to play right now and we're hoping the DL stint will help him." Soloff said Hafner made the trip with the Indians to see how he responded to the cortisone shot.

"He didn't quite feel like himself," said Soloff. "We feel like the additional time on the DL will help strengthen the shoulder."

The Tribe had better hope so, since they're in crisis mode with their offense. They're 2-10 in their last 12, averaging 3.66 runs per game in that time ... and that includes a 13-9 loss against Texas, which brings the average down by about a half a run. That's well off from their season average of 4.11 runs per game. That streak has put the Indians closer to the Tigers than they are to the White Sox (you would have thought that would have been a good thing at the beginning of the season, but since the Tigers are only a game and a half out of last place, it's not.) So get well soon, Travis (and get well soon, Travis' swing.)

Travis Hafner's Shoulder is 'Pronky' originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 30 May 2008 19:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fausto Carmona May Miss a Month

Tom Fornelli — Sun, 25 May 2008 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Cleveland, Indians, AL Central, MLB Injuries

The Cleveland Indians pitching staff has the second-best ERA in the American League right now, and they've been doing it without Jake Westbrook. Well, just as the team was expecting to get it's complete starting rotation back, they had to go and place Fausto Carmona on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday after he strained his hip covering first base on Friday night.

While placing one of your best pitchers on the disabled list is never ideal, especially when you're struggling to score runs like the Indians are, at least Carmona was only being placed on the 15-day disabled list instead of the 60-day. You have to stay positive, right? Well, for you Indians fans who were hoping you'd only be without Fausto for a few weeks, I have some bad news for you. It's more likely that Carmona isn't going to be back for four weeks.

An MRI exam revealed a moderate strain of an exterior muscle in Carmona's left hip, Lonnie Soloff, Cleveland's head athletic trainer, said Sunday.

"The good news is that there was no damage to the interior, which would have been much more serious," Soloff said. "If all goes well, Fausto should be able to start playing catch in about seven days."

The news isn't that bad, though, because as I said earlier Jake Westbrook is scheduled to start on Wednesday as he returns from his strained left ribcage, and Aaron Laffey hasn't been half bad filling in for him. Laffey's record is only 2-3, but he has a 1.60 ERA with 20 strikeouts, 6 walks, and a WHIP of 0.89. Aaron's been pitching so well that there's word general manager Mark Shapiro, who's ready to start wheelin' and dealin', may look to move veteran Paul Byrd before the trade deadline.

Fausto Carmona May Miss a Month originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 25 May 2008 15:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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