The "Larry Dolan Effect" and Trade Deadline Implications

The Tribe has experienced a roller-coaster effect in the last several days.  After beating the Yankees 4-1 last Tuesday, we lost a few straight in massacre-fashion.  Between the last two games of the Yankees series and the first game against the Blue Jays, the Tribe lost all 3 games, getting outscored 27-5.  Not exactly our best effort, and the Trade Deadline certainly had an impact on the team's morale.

Larry Dolan continues makes a strong argument as to why he should be considered amongst the worst owners in professional sports.  When the trade deadline approaches in baseball, they consistently make moves that make you scratch your head.  This year's edition was no different, as the Indians traded away proven veterans in Jake Westbrook, Jhonny Peralta, and Austin Kearns.  Don't forget about Kerry Woods, who was shipped to the Yankees who just beat us down 19-4 in the last two games of the series.

It's hard to keep your hopes up for a team that trades away any talent we actually have.  Let's start with Jhonny Peralta.  Granted, some fans never really appreciated Jhonny and thought he didn't deserve a spot in our infield.  When you actually look at his numbers, you realize he has one of the highest fielding percentages at 3rd base in all of baseball. 

Not to mention he at least provided the threat of power, which is more than can be said about most of our players.  Peralta proved the ignorance of this trade by the Indians when he blasted two home-runs in his first game with the Detroit Tigers. 

Jake Westbrook was next to go, as he was essentially given away to the St. Louis Cardinals.  I guess the one thing we can hang our hats on is that players who have never seen success with the Indians are at least getting a chance to prove themselves on teams that actually have a chance of winning.  Westbrook is an impressive talent;  His sinker is one of the hardest pitches to hit in baseball.  Through 7 innings vs. the Yankees last week, he had only given up 2 hits.  Westbrook is a pitcher who has a lot left in the tank.  Why did we trade him? 

How long before Grady Sizemore gets traded for a "prospect" or Asdrubal Cabrera gets swapped for a "player to be named later"?   That's what is so aggravating and bewildering about our current front office.  When have they actually traded our top-talent for a player who can actually come in right away and make a difference?  The trades we make are so dumb, because we always receive a prospect who will start in the minors and if we're lucky we'll see him in 2 years.  While we do have a bright future in those two as well as Choo, Santana, Donald, and Tomlin, there is no guarantee they won't play their way out of Cleveland. 

Generally speaking, Larry Dolan is too cheap to keep players that actually make a difference.  My proposal is that Larry Dolan resigns, and allows Dan Gilbert to run the Cleveland Indians.   He should be ashamed to be the owner who orchestrated trading away Cy-Young winners back-to-back years in Sabathia and Cliff Lee.  What really gets me is that we had a $7 million dollar option on Cliff for this year.  It's pathetic that Larry Dolan can't afford that.  This is professional sports, where the best players make well over that number each year.  Lee was recently dealt from Seattle to Texas, where he has continued to prove that he is one of the best pitchers in the league.  Philadelphia has got to be living in regret over not keeping him alongside Halladay.

Regardless, the Tribe faithful will always remain.. but we certainly deserve better than what our current ownership is providing.  No amount of PR can spin the fact that Larry Dolan can't afford to run a team that can win on a nightly basis.

Dolan is content with simply owning a team, he's not too concerned with how they actually perform on the field.  He's the guy who bought a Porsche, then let it sit in the garage for 20 years because he couldn't afford the premium gas.  It takes money to run a Major League Baseball team.  Stop screwing Indians fans out of a respectable franchise. 

The standings back up this claim - The Indians are 15.5 games back in the divison, and have a stronghold on last place; We're even looking up at the Kansas City Royals.  It's a mockery of what this team should be.

Josh Tomlin impresses in his Debut against Yankees, Tribe wins 4-1

Josh Tomlin made his Major League debut last night for the Indians, and he did not disappoint.  Derek Jeter picked up right where he left off and flied out to center, and Tomlin had officially retired his first major league hitter.  Maybe it was just me, but it looked like Tomlin couldn't help but smile as he worked through the 1st inning.  Swisher followed suit, and Teixeira popped up as well.  Tomlin looked impressive and cruised through the inning only throwing 9 pitches.  Pretty good start for a pitcher facing the Yankees in his first appearance. 

Shin-Soo got the Tribe's 1st hit, muscling a ball over the head of Rodriguez.  He wasted no time stealing 2nd, and then Kearns followed with a hit of his own which should have scored Choo.  Unfortunately, Gardner threw a beautiful one-hop to the catch Cervelli who did a great job blocking off the plate.  Choo was called out, but at least the Indians were showing early signs of life. 

Alex Rodriguez led off the 2nd for the Yankees, and after two whiffs he grounded out to Cabrera.  His 600th home run has eluded him in his last 21 bats and counting, and it would not come against Tomlin.  The new Tribe pitcher relies on location and his change-up, as opposed to over-powering hitters.  He did however challenge A-Rod with some fastballs throughout the game, and Alex whiffed on almost every one.  Josh Tomlin retired Cano and Granderson after that, and the rookie had a no-hitter through two innings. 

Gardner struck out to end the Yankees 3rd inning, and the mighty Pinstripes still didn't have a hit against Tomlin.  Yet again, Sabathia put the Indians batters down in order, and after 3 we still had a scoreless game. 

Jeter broke up the no-hitter getting the lead-off hitter in the 4th, but Swisher and Teixeira again would pop-up.  Trying to make something happen in the middle of A-Rod's second at-bat, Jeter was caught stealing 2nd on a great throw by Giminez and the inning ended. 

Cabrera singled to left to start the 4th and the Tribe had their first lead-off batter aboard.  Shin-Soo hit a tough pitch from Sabathia down the left field line, and all the sudden we had men on 2nd and 3rd with no outs.  On a Kearns grounder to 3rd, Rodriguez decided to come home and the throw easily beat Cabrera. 

However, Asdrubal made a heads-up play, kicking the ball out of Cervelli's glove after the tag was applied.  Cabrera was called safe, and the Tribe took an early 1-0 lead.  Shelley Duncan popped up to the 1st baseman, and the Yankees got their first out of the inning.  Jhonny Peralta hit what should have been a routine double play for the over-paid Yankees infield, but Robinson Cano pulled his foot off the bag and everyone was safe.  I'm not quite sure why manager Joe Girardi came out to argue, Cano clearly made a short-bus play by stepping off the bag before he turned the DP.  That gave LaPorta a chance with the bases loaded, and he hit a ball deep enough to serve as a sacrifice fly, scoring Choo.  Donald struck out but the 2 errors cost the Yankees both runs, and we took a 2-0 lead.

A-Rod hit another weak grounder to 1st and still couldn't hit the elusive 600th home-run of his career.  Another impressive inning by Tomlin who retired the Yankees in order for the 4th time so far.

To start the bottom of the 6th, Austin Kearns felt the need to smash a ball to deep center.  Granderson was on his horse and almost made a great catch, but after he collided with the wall, the ball was jarred loose.  Kearns made it all the way to 3rd base.  Duncan took a couple massive cuts but eventually struck out swinging.  After Peralta reached first, LaPorta finally came through and doubled, scoring Choo.  With runners on 2nd and 3rd Sabathia intentionally walked Donald to get to Giminez.  CC couldn't have thought he would walk Giminez to force another run in, but that's exactly what happened.  The Tribe took a 4-0 lead and then Crowe hit into a double play to mercifully end the inning for Sabathia. 

This whole time, Tomlin was making a solid case to be in the Indians rotation.  Through 6 innings, Tomlin had faced the minimum of 18 batters, and had only given up 1 hit to the Yankees.  Not bad for your first big-league outing.  Jeter grounded out to start the 7th and yet again proved why he is over-valued.  Swisher hit a 1-out double and then Teixeira grounded out on a nice play by Cabrera.  A-Rod was next, hoping to get the 600 Monkey off his back.  He did hit a ball pretty deep to right, but not dep enough.  The whole time I'm thinking, "Is Tomlin really shutting out the Yankees in his MLB debut?"  And , "Has CC really not lost a game since May?"  That streak was about to come to an end. 

After Tomlin gave up a lead-off double in the 8th, Manny Acta made the move to the bullpen, and Josh Tomlin walked off the mound to a standing ovation from the Cleveland crowd.  3 hits, 0 walks, simply beautiful shut-out baseball by Tomlin. 

Chris Perez came on to shut the door in the 9th, but it wouldn't come easy.  The Yankees started off the inning with back-to-back singles by Gardner and then Jeter.  Swish popped out for the 1st out, and then Teixeira did the same.  Alex Rodriguez would appropriately be the final batter, representing the tying run at the plate.  Would 600 finally come to fruition, on his 35th birthday?  Nope, groundout to Cabrera and the game is over, and Rodriguez is 0-8 in the series.  That's what you get for taking steroids.

A-Rod's Hitless Night keeps him at 599, Yankees win 3-2 at Progressive

Three* years ago from yesterday, the Indians traded Ben Broussard for Shin Soo Choo.. a great day in Tribe history.  The Yankees came to town for a 4 game series last night, and everyone wanted to know if Rodriguez would send his 600th homerun out at Progressive Field.

Derek Jeter started off the game with an out, confirming my belief that he is the most overrated player in baseball.  Swisher might be the only player that I have any respect for on the Yankees, and he flies out as Westbrook cruised through the 1st inning. 

You have to question Manny Acta's decision to bat Michael Brantley leadoff, I mean he's batting .157 on the season.. personally I'd sit him on the bench.  Regardless, Cabrera walks and then Shoo hits a screamer right to Teixeira, who steps on 1st and doubles up Cabrera.  Lucky break for the Yankees.

Travis Hafner keeps his ridiculous hot-streak going and absolutely demolishes a pitch over the right field wall.  That was his 5th straight hit in as many plate appearanaces.  LaPorta struck out after though, what's new.  The Indians took a 1-0 lead into the 3rd inning. 

Jake Westbrook was looking as good as he ever has, and he kept sitting down Yankees hitters.  After 3 innings against baseball's best offensive lineup, the Yankees had exactly 0 hits.  The Tribe unfortunately went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 3rd, I blame Michael Brantley. 

Swisher got the Yankees first hit, a monstrous jack to right field;  He even posed for a second to watch it go out.  I wasn't mad about it, Swisher is the man.  Teixeira walked, and then Alex Rodriguez came up to the plate for his second appearance.  Alex hit a ball into left field that was sinking fast, and Trevor Crowe either caught the ball or it short-hopped into his glove, either way Rodriguez was called out.  Teixeira gets doubled up, and Joe Girardi came out to argue but to no avail.  It was a pretty close call but it goes the way of the Indians. 

Fast-forward to the Top of the 5th when the speedy Curtis Granderson tried to get to 2nd off a hit to the right field wall.  Choo threw a laser directly to Asdrubal at 2nd and he's called out.  Replay showed Granderson was actually safe on the play but the Tribe catches another break.  Asdrubal did catch some spikes on the play but it appeared he would be alright.

At this point the Indians only hit so far was Travis' home-run, but that quickly changed when Jhonny Peralta ended the nonsense by doubling to right field.  LaPorta stepped up to the plate and surprise.. another strike-out.  Trevor Crowe grounds to 2nd and Peralta's leadoff double goes to waste. 

My personal highlight of the Yankees batting in the 6th inning was Derek Jeter striking out.  It is quite a beautiful site; Jeter and A-Rod combined to go 0-8 on the day.  Westbrook was still extra crispy and was working fast.  Jake struck out Swisher after that, Westbrook had 5 strike-outs.  Yankees go 1-2-3 again. 

Yet again in the Top of the 7th, another leadoff double for the Indians came from Jason Donald.  Our first 3 hits were all of the extra-base variety.  Unfortunately poor base-running lead Donald into a rundown after he tried to go to 3rd on a grounder to the pitcher.  I blame Brantley for not hitting it out of the infield. 

After that, it was about time for the Choo-Choo train to make an appearance.  Like clockwork, Shin-Soo doubled and Brantley scored all the way from 1st.  The Indians took a 2-1 lead, and all is well at Progressive.  Stat of the day:  Shin Soo ranks 5th in the American League in On-Base Percentage. 

After Pronk struck out in the bottom of the 7th, LaPorta finally got a hit to left field.  But time after time, we didn't capitalize having runners in scoring position.  The Yankees came up to bat and Westbrook made one critical error serving a pitch up to Granderson. 

Curtis certainly made him pay, obliterating a pitch to deep right field.  Yankees take a 3-2 on the game-changing 421 foot home run.  This has been a common theme for the Indians as of late:  Play well for most of the game but make one big mistake in the form of a multi-run HR.  Westbrook was visibly upset and justifiably so, he had been pitching a gem.  Jeter ended the inning with a grounder to Asdrubal.. Why do people think this guy is good?

The Indians bats stayed quiet for the rest of the night and the Yankees held on to win 3-2.  Westbrook was not about to allow Rodriguez to get #600 off of him last night.  He might have a better shot tonight, when the Tribe sends out Josh Tomlin for his major-league debut.  It's also A-Rod's birthday tonight, so maybe it will happen for him.  Let's say he does hit 600 tonight, how much will that ball go for?  Cleveland's economy could certainly use the boost.  CC Sabathia will be pitching for the Yankees, fans here still have respect for him.  Should be an interesting night, Tomlin will certainly have his hands full with the Yankees lineup.  It's time for the Tribe to start a new winning streak right about now.

The Tampa Bay Rays start a different kind of streak in Cleveland

The night after they ended their 18 game losing streak in Cleveland, the Tampa Bay Rays felt entitled to take another one before they left town.  Justin Masterson vs. Wade Davis was the match-up.  The Tribe came out strong.  Mastterson cruised through the 1st, and the Indians took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice by Carlos Santana.  However, similar to the night before, the Rays would answer quickly. 

Reed Brignac stepped up to the plate with two on, and 2 outs.  Masterson threw the one pitch he regrets and Brignac made him pay, hitting a 3-run homer.  The Indians showed some of their new-found resiliency, and got one of those runs back in their half of the inning, make it 3-2 Tampa.

Sanatan reaches 2nd in the bottom of the 3rd, but Matt LaPorta strikes out to end the inning.  LaPorta did not have his best day, at least offensively.

A leadoff walk to start to the 4th inning did not end up helping Masterson.  After a single past the outstretched arm of Nix put runners on 1st and 3rd, LaPorta made his one good play of the day.  For an inexperienced 1st baseman, Matt made a heads-up move when the ball was hit to him, looking the runner back at 3rd and still turning the double play.  At that point in the game that was a huge play, because the Rays didn't end up scoring in the inning and the Tribe was still within one run.

Hafner stepped up to the plate in the 4th and crushed a nice double to the gap in left field, and Nix gets hit by a pitch vegas-style.. right in the kneecap.  After a textbook sacrifice by Trevor Crowe that moved Hafner and Nix to 2nd and 3rd respectively, Andy Marte couldn't hold up on a check swing and strikes out.  Michael Brantley does what he usually does and makes another out, and we squandered one of our many chances to put some runs on the board.

Bartlett started things off for the Rays in the 5th by hitting a routine grounder to Marte who came up with an ugly error, allowing Bartlett to reach 1st safely.  That would come back to haunt us after he stole 2nd soon thereafter, and reached 3rd on a groundout.  Carl Crawford did what Marte should have done the inning before, and hits a ball deep to left that serves as a sacrifice to get Bartlett home, making it 4-2 Rays.  Epic fail by Andy on multiple fronts. 

The Indians went in order and then in the top of the 6th the Rays followed suit; Masterson started to work quickly and looked like he had settled down.  Yet again, Travis "Pronk" Hafner tried to keep us in the game by getting his 3rd straight hit, making him 3-3 on the day so far.  Other than Pronk, the Tribe's bats were unusually quiet, and we headed to the 7th still down 2 runs.

Fast-forward to 2 down in the bottom of the 7th, where Brantley and Cabrera advanced to 2nd and 3rd after a Choo groundout.  After a questionable first pitch strike, Santana sent a rocket in between 1st and 2nd base but got robbed by Brignac.  6 outs left for the Tribe batsmen, and it's still 4-2 Tampa. 

Tony Sipp picked off Evan Longoria (who has a pretty legit Mullet going) to end the top of the 8th, and we're thinking it's time to get at least one of those runs back.  Travis Hafner must have been seeing the ball well, because he hit his 4th hit of the game right after LaPorta predictably flied out.  Nix followed Travis by flying out as well, but Crowe got a 2-out hit up the middle of the infield to keep the inning alive.  Manny Acta decided to pinch-hit Shelley Duncan for Marte, good move.  Considering that Duncan has the highest batting average for pinch hitter appearances this season at a .417 clip, there was still some hope left at Progressive.

Unfortunately, Duncan popped up to right field, and it's all but over.  Choo made it interesting by knocking a 2-out double in the bottom of the 9th, and yet again the game was up to the bat of Carlos Santana.  With one deceiving crack of the bat it looked like he maybe had tied it up, but his drive to center field was not deep enough.  The Indians left 8 runners stranded which would explain why we're now on a 2-game losing streak.

The New York Yankees come to town tonight for a 4-game series; Westbrook will take on Javier Vasquez in the series opener.  The real story of this series is clearly Alex Rodriguez, who is sitting on 599 career home runs.  Alex suffered a hand injury last night after being hit by a pitch, and it's unclear if he will even play tonight.  If he does, will A-Rod become only the 6th player ever to hit 600 home runs, and will he do it at Progressive Field?  Does it even matter, considering he's a self-confessed steroid user?  Is Derek Jeter the single most overrated player in the League?  Likely.  Did I mention I hate the Yankees?