Monday Rumblings

The Cavs are off until Tuesday, but there may be something to report on as rumors circulate about a potential Sam Cassell trade. Not sure these aren’t more than the ‘that would make sense’ variety of rumor. Personally I would welcome Cassell, especially if Hughes was the target. No, huh? Alright.

Buckeye land awaits the decision of James Laurinaitis today.

(Was that too obvious?)

With Alex Boone in the fold for another season the O-Line will be in good shape again next season. Especially with the recruiting class we have coming in. The battle for right tackle is going to be fierce! With regard to Laurinaitis, I hope he does come back, but not because I think he would be the difference between a championship or not. The Buckeyes have 2 outstanding LB recruits coming to Columbus next year in Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat. I would love for Laurinaitis to show these two what it takes to be the next great linebacker at OSU. A.J. Hawk was there for James. Matt Wilhelm was there for A.J. Wilhelm never won any of the major awards, but he certainly had the work ethic.

Making Headlines…at least small ones

 

Let me be pretty clear about this, the only circumstances under which Halftime Adjustments will refer to the ballpark in which the Indians play as ‘Progressive Field’, would be in some sort of sarcastic harsh tone. Since 1994 the Indians have, and until it is knocked down, will always play at the Jake.

Cavalier Shannon Brown requested to be sent to the developmental league. The Cavs granted his wish yesterday. My guess is that barring injury or trade that will be the last we see of Shannon Brown in Cleveland. It is obvious that the Cavs have no interest in Shannon past this season, and he wasn’t getting playing time lately. Shannon had an opportunity to play when LeBron was injured, but really wasn’t ready to shoulder that much of the load. Perhaps a couple weeks of solid games for the Vipers will increase Shannon’s trade value. I’m sure that was his intention, plus the opportunity to play every day.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from us here at Halftime Adjustments!

It would be too easy. I could rip the Browns, and in particular Derek Anderson for that dismal performance yesterday. I could lament how Anderson could have just cost my favorite team their first playoff appearance in years, while at the same time throwing my shot at a fantasy football title in the dumpster. Or I could write about the Cavs. I could spew venom for an hour about the Wine and Gold getting ripped on their home court last night by the Warriors. I could gripe about them never having a lead in the game. I could continue to rant about the albatross around the Cavaliers neck that is Larry Hughes.

But I’m not. Instead, I will say Merry Christmas to you. I hope that you are celebrating the birth or our savior with friends and family. I will also mention that I don’t plan on posting much this week, as I will be celebrating with my family.

If I could give Christmas presents to our favorite teams, I would give the Cavs relief from their salary cap struggles, as well as a point guard that can maximize the talent already on the roster. I would give the Browns some help on the defensive line, and turn back the clock to allow them a do over of yesterday’s game. The Indians would get an all-star left fielder, health for those with nagging injuries (Hafner) and a dominating closer. The Buckeyes would get exactly what they need- redemption in the form of a BCS title. Here’s hoping they don’t need any help from me on that one!

 Merry Christmas!

How about this blockbuster trade?

Yeah, it’s a rumor, and not really a solid one, but hey…I can dream too!

Buster Olney reported today that there may be a surprise team in the Dan Haren lottery. Oh please, let it be true.

But there is an interesting sleeper in the Dan Haren sweepstakes: the Cleveland Indians, who clearly would have the prospects and the motive to finish a deal.

Cleveland is loaded with young starting pitchers who it could put in the deal, from Jeremy Sowers to Adam Miller to Aaron Laffey. And if the Indians become convinced that they are not going to be able to re-sign C.C. Sabathia, who is eligible for free agency after next season, they may view Haren as a low-cost replacement for Sabathia for 2009 and 2010 near the front of their rotation.

And with Haren in 2008, the Indians would field arguably the best rotation in the majors, assuming that Johan Santana doesn’t land with the Red Sox.

One deal made, one deal dead

Yesterday was a busy day at the baseball winter meetings. Unfortunately for the Tribe, ‘busy’ does not mean ‘good’.

The Tigers pulled off the trade of the year, getting 24 year old Miguel Cabrera and 25 year old Dontrelle Willis. Both players have won a World Series, and both have multiple all-star appearances. The Tigers parted with two of the top prospects in all of baseball, Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller, and four other minor leaguers.

The Indians in the meantime were rumored to be working on that Jason Bay deal. Well, reports from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick aren’t good-

You can rule out any talk of Pittsburgh trading Jason Bay to Cleveland for a Kelly Shoppach–Cliff Lee package. That one is dead. Bay is Pirates GM Neal Huntington‘s main trade chip, and the Bucs aren’t going to give him away after he’s coming off such a down year.

Indians continue to pursue Jason Bay

We’ve mentioned this before, but it seems that talks are heating up at the winter meetings between the Indians and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The names involved for the Indians are Cliff Lee and Kelly Shoppach. This report is from MLB.com. Here is one from ESPN.com (scroll down to 3:09).

As I said previously, I would give up Lee and Shoppach for Bay. He is certainly worth that type of investment. If that deal is made I wonder what might happen to the surplus of outfielders we have? Certainly there would be no need for Nixon, Michaels, Gutierrez and Francisco. I would assume that Franklin has the upper hand for the RF job. Perhaps you keep Michaels around for his experience? I would say that Nixon and his salary would be more likely to be released. Ben Francisco would probably start the season at Buffalo. Here’s hoping Shapiro can get this deal done. Maybe he throws Michaels in the deal and gets a prospect in return? Keep an eye on this one.

The rich getting richer

Buster Olney is reporting that “the framework for a deal” is being constructed between Boston and Minnesota. Here’s a hint- the Red Sox aren’t looking at Nick Punto.

As it is being reported, the deal is Johan Santana for Coco Crisp, Jon Lester, and minor leaguer Jed Lowrie. A fourth player is being discussed. Obviously, this deal would be dependent on Santana agreeing, and possibly reaching an extension with the Red Sox.

Seriously, do you think Santana says no to this trade? And Minnesota, is that the best you can fleece from Boston? They have been looking to dump Crisp, Jon Lester is a great story, but not a great pitcher, and how good could Jed Lowrie be that great if he couldn’t beat out the corpse they have at ss now?

Of course there is a chance this deal never gets done. If another team beats the Red Sox offer who do you think it will be? Right. The Yankees, who would have to dangle Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera to entice the Twins away from Boston’s proposal. Either way, it looks very unlikely that Santana is pitching for the Twins again next year. If Boston lands the lefty, it looks like they have their one two punch set for a few years with Beckett and Santana, with Dice-K and Schilling rounding out the rotation.

Tribe signs Kobayashi!

Yes!!! Does this mean we get Nathan’s dogs at the Jake?

What…you mean there is another Kobayashi? Oh. Never mind.

Eric Wedge- AL Manager of the Year

I have to admit- I never thought I would type that sentence.

Over the past year I have been a little critical of the performance of Wedge. This team doesn’t advance runners like they should, and they strike out way too often. In addition, he worked Sabathia and Carmona probably more innings than they should have. The Indians paid for it in the off-season. I hate the way he pulls Hafner in the seventh inning in tight games.

That being said, the Indians finished tied for the best record in baseball. Does that mean he deserves the Manager of the Year? Probably not, but I can’t really say that anyone else deserves it more. Managing a baseball team is a lot different than coaching football or even basketball. Wedge puts the players on the field, and is at the mercy of what they do. He can instruct them, but when that slider comes in it is up to Peralta to lay off the pitch.

So, I will leave the decision as to who deserves the award to the professionals. And say congratulations to Eric for the honor. Here’s hoping he can push the right buttons next year.

Next opportunity for Red Sox fans to cry comes at 2pm today

Major League Baseball will announce at 2pm today the American League Manager of the Year award. Most of the mainstream media has picked Eric Wedge to win the award over Mike Scioscia of the Angels, Joe Torre, and Terry Francona of the Red Sox. If Wedge wins the award we will of course congratulate him in a later post.

Unfortunately, instead of being able to focus on the individual achievements of the Indians. We are subjected to this. Now of course I didn’t go looking for that, I was led there by our good friends at The Big Lead. That was the only Cy Young story they ran. (Full disclosure- we sent them a link to our article.) In fact not only did they not run an Indian fan perspective, they didn’t mention anywhere that C.C. won the award.

But how about those Red Sox fans? Can’t even acknowledge that someone else might deserve the award over their guy. That is why the rest of the world hates you. Self-serving, pompous, arrogant jerks. Here, this should spoil your lunch.

It’s Cy Young for CC

Indians starting pitcher CC Sabathia edged out Boston’s Josh Beckett for the American League’s Cy Young Award. Congrats Sabathia!

It’s official. Sabathia has become the first Indian since 1972 to win the AL Cy Young. (Gaylord Perry was the last Cleveland hurler to take home the prize.) MLB.com did not publish the final tally, but ESPN reports that the Big Lefty won 19 of the 28 first place votes. Beckett indeed finished second, and Lackey finished third, receiving only 1 first place vote.

I speculated earlier in the season that because of Sabathia’s success this year it will be more difficult to keep him in Cleveland. I stand by that appraisal. Hitting the open market with a recent Cy Young Award will mean major bucks. Look at the money being thrown at lesser pitchers recently. There is no reason to believe that C.C. won’t be thrown Barry Zito type dollars. No way that offer is coming from Ontario St.

But instead of focusing on the negative today, let’s take a minute and celebrate a great season for Sabathia. 

AL Cy Young Announcement at 2 pm…

CC Sabathia, Josh Beckett, or John Lackey…who ya got?

Keep in mind that the ballots were cast before the playoffs began. Obviously, had the ballots been sent after the playoffs this wouldn’t even be a contest. 14 of 20 ESPN baseball contributors picked C.C. to win. The numbers for each-

C.C. Sabathia- 19 wins (2nd), 3.21 era (5th), 209 strikeouts (5th), 1.14 whip (5th), 241 Innings pitched (1st), 4 complete games (2nd).

Josh Beckett- 20 wins (1st), 3,27 era (6th), 194 strikeouts (7th), 1.14 whip (6th, percentage points behind Sabathia), 200 innings pitched, 1 complete game.

John Lackey- 19 wins (2nd), 3.01 era (1st), 179 strikeouts (11th), 1.21 whip (11th), 224 innings pitched (4th), 2 complete games (2nd).

Do I think Sabathia deserves to win? Yes, as much as either of the other two at least. The most important numbers are very close. What might push the vote toward C.C. is the number of innings he pitched. Ironically, that may have hurt the big guy in the postseason, but should win him the award for the year.

Attention shoppers! Some meat may be tainted…

Here’s the report from the ESPN newswire…

Eleven current free agents will be named in former Senator George Mitchell’s report on steroids use in baseball and all 11 players have been notified by the commissioner’s office, The Boston Globe reported on its Web site Thursday afternoon.

The newspaper, citing two agents who attended Wednesday’s union meeting in New York, said the agents confirmed this news Thursday.

Jose Guillen, a free-agent linked to a Florida anti-aging clinic at the center of a federal investigation into illegal steroid sales, is one of the 11 players who allegedly bought steroids, The Globe reported.

Baseball team officials were told last month to be prepared for Mitchell, a former Senate Majority Leader and director of the Boston Red Sox, to issue his report by the end of the year.

Mitchell’s staff sent lawyers representing some players with ties to the BALCO investigation letters that notified them of the deadline, CBS News reported Wednesday, citing a lawyer who received the letter.

So…I think that any free agent signings might be delayed a bit. Would you sign someone right now? I understand if it was one of your guy, but I certainly wouldn’t touch a guy I didn’t know right about now.

Indians report- Sizemore honored, trade possibilities?

First thing- Congrats to Grady Sizemore on winning his first ever Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Grady makes the routine plays, and every once in a while makes the impossible one. I think he has earned a Gold Glove. There are those in the media (I would link to the Rob Neyer article for ESPN, but it’s an insider piece) who apparently don’t think that Grady does, and they have used his mis-play of a ball in the Boston series as evidence. What a great argument. One time he didn’t get to a ball and make the ‘Gold Glove’ catch. Over the course of the season, Grady makes more of those plays than most other fielders. I’m not going to say that there could be others out there who would be as deserving, but hey, one went our guy’s way. Good job Grady.

Some interesting names coming up in trade rumors. The big name everyone is talking about of course is Miguel Cabrera. Rumors have him involved in trades to the Yankees, White Sox, and Tigers. The Marlins have typically been asking for the moon for their guys (like D-Train Willis) and I suppose it wouldn’t surprise me if he began the season in Florida again.  A more realistic possibility after the jump.

Indians exercise option on Paul Byrd, Shapiro wins executive of the year

ESPN radio is reporting that the Indians have picked up the option on Paul Byrd. Byrd, Jow Borowski and Aaron Fultz all have club options that need to be decided upon this week. I would be surprised if all of those options didn’t get renewed by the Tribe.

More importantly, congrats are in order for Indians GM Mark Shapiro. At the GM meetings in Florida on Monday, Mark was given the Sporting News Baseball Executive of the Year award. It was his second, having won the award in 2005. We have always been impressed with Shapiro. He has made some gutsy moves in his tenure here. Some have not worked out, but on the whole he has turned the Indians into a winning club again. And he did it by changing the style of the team. Instead of assembling a team of sluggers, he has focused more on pitching. Shapiro knows that in order to win championships you have to have better pitching. Starting with the farm system, Shapiro has focused on pitching and stockpiling young arms. The result- probably the deepest staff in the majors.