Comments on: Wedge signs extension

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:01:16 +0000

As much as everyone keeps hollering for "bullpen help!"…there doesn't appear to be any room for it.

Borowski…Betancourt…Perez…Mastny…Stanford… They've all performed well enough to stay. Stanford has to stay, and I prefer him in the rotation. But at least he's a long lefty.

Jensen Lewis? The team is quite high on him. Anything coming would have to be an upgrade, not an equal or lesser talent.

Fernando? I hate to give up on him, too, but wouldn't cry if he's included in a trade.

Tribe has Matt Miller and Mike Koplove waiting for an open roster spot. It doesn't seem like the bullpen is as bad off as people are saying, if Mastny stays semi-consistent and Lewis works into a role. Plus, Aaron Fultz will return to walk more batters in clutch situations very soon. I'd ship him out while the "perception" of effectiveness is still there.

By: Alan Tucker

Alan Tucker — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:09:49 +0000

They're in a legitimate playoff race. If it was an easy science, then Sowers would still be in Cleveland.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:27:15 +0000

Matt Miller is not the only quality alternative at Buffalo, although he has made 21 appearances with an ERA of 2.18. But the other steal we got earlier, Mike Koplove, has an even better ERA and 9 saves. It would seem that either of those guys should've been in Cleveland before Edward Mujica and his 5.00+ ERA. It has to be insulting to the quality arms in our farm system when Shapiro keeps bringing in stiffs like R. Hernandez and A. Fultz, and goes 4-months with a gas can like Cabrera. If I were a young pitcher, Cleveland is the last team I'd ever want to draft me. They don't believe in their own prospects.

By: Alan Tucker

Alan Tucker — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:18:48 +0000

It's far too early to give up on Lee. Stanford will get his chance when Sabathia is gone.

Shapiro knows what he's doing. Wedge knows what he's doing. It's not easy playing Moneyball.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:00:48 +0000

Miller has had a LOT of effective appearances at Buffalo. What, is there more chance of his re-injuring himself in Cleveland than sunny Buffalo? The guy has been a quality pen guy when healthy, and I'd sure rather have seen him in the 5th inning yesterday than Fernando. Whatever innings his arm is wasting at AAA, let's use them here til the arm falls off.

In addition, I'm ALL FOR giving Jason Stanford a place in the rotation, and jettising Cliff. Sometimes I think Shapiro coddles this guy, just so his Colon trade will look better. In reality, Lee is not the stud starter they'd have us believe

By: Alan Tucker

Alan Tucker — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:45:15 +0000

Jeff, the guy was just called up on June 10. Two weeks later, he's on the DL. He had an elbow operation last year. Precisely what "benefits" are you speaking of? I'm not sure how Tommy John surgery will benefit the Indians.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:38:54 +0000

What is Matt Miller doing in Triple-A? The Tribe claims to be hunting high and low for bullpen help, and their most-effective pitcher in Spring Training (and in prior stints in Cleveland) is languishing in Buffalo. Wedge's comment that they want to see him pitch healthy "for a LONG TIME" is insane! Get the benefits for the big club! Sometimes this organization just seems so out-of-touch with reality! Cliff Lee a core player? Trot Nixon a quality pinch-hitting choice? Cabrera in a close game? Need I go on???? GET MATT MILLER IN CLEVELAND!

By: Alan Tucker

Alan Tucker — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:59:57 +0000

I agree, where's the risk? It's not like he's 7'3" tall, his overpaid salary is gargantuan, it counts for five years against the salary cap and comes complete with a 15% trade kicker. If he fails, he can be axed and he can do commentary on ESPN until he's hired by somebody else. No fuss, no muss. Plus, coming on the heels of the signings of Hafner and Sizemore, it portrays a professional image of a sports franchise that knows what it's doing in the long-term as well as the short-term. I like the move.

By: larry d.

larry d. — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:21:16 +0000

It's a good move for an organization that's trying to appear to have a steady long-term plan. What's the risk, really? He can be fired at any time and his salary is probably peanuts in comparison to a contract like Hafner's.