Choo's the one

[Mr. MacPhisto]

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/17171890.htm

Cliff Lee will be activated from the disabled list for a start tonight. Though the club did not announce the move, Shin-Soo Choo will be optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo to make room for Lee.

Wedge and Shapiro also were talking about getting a fresh arm from Buffalo. I'm thinking that Mastny might be sent down. I'm not sure who they'll bring up because Mujica just pitched last night (and gave up 4 ERs in 1.2).

[pup]

Maybe, just maybe they will bring up a second left hander?

[dmcdougal]

too bad. I guess all the lobbying on here didn't quite pay off. Choo will be back by the trade deadline, I'm sure. Anyway, I would guess they send Francisco down to get a fresh arm rather than Mastny.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Definite possibility that they'd bring up a lefty. Lara only pitched .1 last night, though is 2.07 WHIP is scary. They could call up Perez if they wanted a long relief option in the 'pen, but Perez is slated to start tonight. Stanford started two nights ago.

Mujica still might be an option, though he appears to be a one inning guy right now.

too bad. I guess all the lobbying on here didn't quite pay off. Choo will be back by the trade deadline, I'm sure. Anyway, I would guess they send Francisco down to get a fresh arm rather than Mastny.

We've got plenty of lefties in the OF. If Francisco were sent down then we'd have Michaels as the only RHed bat. I don't see that happening. Mastny has options and can't pitch tonight. He'll be sent down and recalled in 10 days.

[skatingtripods]

Not surprising at all. He'll back when Dellucci or Nixon inevitably get hurt.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Not surprising at all. He'll back when Dellucci or Nixon inevitably get hurt.

True. I see now why Shapiro wanted to get Dellucci and Nixon - depth. He's built a team this year where many of the pieces can be replaced with little or no loss in quality when an injury occurs. That gives the Indians a depth that other teams may not have. The Yankees certainly don't have it.

[mattvan1]

I see now why Shapiro wanted to get Dellucci and Nixon - depth.

Can we call it the "We never landed a BSD at a corner outfield position, but at least we have the 'Depth of Mediocrity Plan' "?

[Steve Buffum]

I see now why Shapiro wanted to get Dellucci and Nixon - depth.

Can we call it the "We never landed a BSD at a corner outfield position, but at least we have the 'Depth of Mediocrity Plan' "?

Sure. I think this is the part of the show where I compare Cleveland's record to Houston's.

[mattvan1]

I think this is the part of the show where I compare Cleveland's record to Houston's

Ouch - that will leave a mark. But, let's be clear - I am not an Astro's fan by ANY means. C'mon, when you grow up idolizing the likes of Sudden Sam and Sonny Siebert, how could you ever root for another team? No, I manage to get to about as many Tribe games as 'Stroh's games every year. Although, the Minute Maid bandbox is a nice venue, at least when the roof is open.

[pup]

I think Buff is pointing more to Carlos Lee signing with Houston, and the benefit it they have seen from it.

[swerb]

I think Buff is pointing more to Carlos Lee signing with Houston, and the benefit it they have seen from it.

I think Buff is pointing more towards you belittling the Indians from October to March for not signing Carlos Lee.

[pup]

Oh. Well, they still should have signed Carlos Lee, so he can continute to belittle if need be.

I am not complaining about a team that is 16-8 though. The funny thing is, most of the things I comnplained about all winter are true, they are simply winning in spite of them.

My complaints: (1) Lack of a right handed power bat to protect Hafner. Most people agree this is a legit need. Carlos Lee is still a need for this team. Garko plus Peralta on a "on one week, off 2 weeks basis" is not enough. Blake is mud. Marte is not ready. Barfield is having a hard time adjusting to the AL. (2) They "overspent" on the bullpen. They had the young arms on hand to get the job done, but are afraid to commit to any of them. The Borowski/Foulke/Hernandez/Fultz money lumped on top of the Delucci/Nixon money = Carlos Lee. (3) They are a terrible fundamental team. (4) They are a terrible defensive team.

Remember, I didn't bring this up today. I am not complaining about the Indians. I love the Indians and I want them to win. I just needed to defend my points a little bit. This is a great start, because I don't think they have played close to their best baseball and are leading the AL. Had you shown be just the stats of these guys, I would guess they would be about 8-16 instead of 16-8.

[Dozen]

Well said Pup, I couldnt agree more.