Waking up at 5:30 AM to the news that its all of 4 degrees outside with a wind chill of -12 on a Monday of all days, one needs a little encouragement that better times are around the corner. I was at my computer thinking that I needed a little pick-me-up aside from the Sumatran Roast I had in my mug so I hit the Tribe's website. The rationale was that I knew that pitchers and catchers should be reporting this week, and lo and behold Valentines Day brings more than chocolates and roses this year.
Pitchers and catchers report first thing on 2/14 and the rest of the boys of summer follow quickly behind (more information can be found here). While I personally will miss having Kenny Lofton in the line-up, aside from Trott Nixon heading to less-green pastures the team looks remarkably similar to the one fielded last year. They picked up what die-hard Star Trek fans have to love in the likes of right-handed reliever Masahide Kobayashe and the scrappy Jamey Carroll from the Rockies...but that's about it. Lots of ripening young talent coming up from Akron and Buffalo will bolster an already solid line-up, anchored by the likes of re-signed veteran Casey Blake, a (finally) healthy David Delucci and fan favorite Travis Hafner.
The most entertaining aspect of this year's foray into the Grapefruit League are those aforementioned youngsters. Adam Miller is said to be over his ailing elbow and ready to put that strong right arm to work in battling for the Tribe's 5th rotation spot. Jordan Brown, a very hot bat in his last two minor league seasons, hopes to make an impact but will likely be stymied by the presence of the maturing Garko at first base. As the Tribe is almost 6 deep in the outfield with major-league caliber players, Brown may well play the majority of the season in lovely Buffalo...or at least until the September call-ups. One of the lingering questions hovers over Andy Marte - out of options, this (no-longer) youngster that never quite fulfilled expectations will either make the big-league roster or be early season trade bait.
The most important question of this season will assuredly be if the Indians are finally going to pay big money for a soon-to-be free-agent. Arguably the Indian's best pitcher since Bob Feller grumpily walked off the mound and started signing baseball cards for profit, C.C. is likely to command a salary worth more than his weight in gold (literally - $850 per oz. - $13,600 per lb x 315 lbs.- $4,284,000). His figure will round-up (to use a bad pun) to around 20 million per year - and word is he wants at least 5 years guaranteed. Hmmmm. That means that Progressive Park will have to be packed with lots of folks willing to pay $20 for parking, wolf down $4 hot dogs while chasing them with $6 beers just to pay C.C.'s portion of the post-game buffet. We'll see if ownership lets us down once more and allows yet another superlative, home-grown talent go to NY.
Friends Dave and Renata will have a first-hand look at the new season as they venture to FL to see the boys in action for their last season at Chain-of-Lakes Park. Hopefully, they will send back a full (and encouraging) report with lots of cheesy photo goodness. Next year we're all off to Arizona for our Spring baseball, so enjoy the EST starts on the radio while you can.
So, get your blankets, electric socks and snowshoes ready. The Tribe actually opens the season at home this year with a March 31st date against the anemic Chicago White Sox. I, for one, am ready to shout "Pppppllllaaaaay Bbbbbballlll!"
Pitchers and catchers report first thing on 2/14 and the rest of the boys of summer follow quickly behind (more information can be found here). While I personally will miss having Kenny Lofton in the line-up, aside from Trott Nixon heading to less-green pastures the team looks remarkably similar to the one fielded last year. They picked up what die-hard Star Trek fans have to love in the likes of right-handed reliever Masahide Kobayashe and the scrappy Jamey Carroll from the Rockies...but that's about it. Lots of ripening young talent coming up from Akron and Buffalo will bolster an already solid line-up, anchored by the likes of re-signed veteran Casey Blake, a (finally) healthy David Delucci and fan favorite Travis Hafner.
The most entertaining aspect of this year's foray into the Grapefruit League are those aforementioned youngsters. Adam Miller is said to be over his ailing elbow and ready to put that strong right arm to work in battling for the Tribe's 5th rotation spot. Jordan Brown, a very hot bat in his last two minor league seasons, hopes to make an impact but will likely be stymied by the presence of the maturing Garko at first base. As the Tribe is almost 6 deep in the outfield with major-league caliber players, Brown may well play the majority of the season in lovely Buffalo...or at least until the September call-ups. One of the lingering questions hovers over Andy Marte - out of options, this (no-longer) youngster that never quite fulfilled expectations will either make the big-league roster or be early season trade bait.
The most important question of this season will assuredly be if the Indians are finally going to pay big money for a soon-to-be free-agent. Arguably the Indian's best pitcher since Bob Feller grumpily walked off the mound and started signing baseball cards for profit, C.C. is likely to command a salary worth more than his weight in gold (literally - $850 per oz. - $13,600 per lb x 315 lbs.- $4,284,000). His figure will round-up (to use a bad pun) to around 20 million per year - and word is he wants at least 5 years guaranteed. Hmmmm. That means that Progressive Park will have to be packed with lots of folks willing to pay $20 for parking, wolf down $4 hot dogs while chasing them with $6 beers just to pay C.C.'s portion of the post-game buffet. We'll see if ownership lets us down once more and allows yet another superlative, home-grown talent go to NY.Friends Dave and Renata will have a first-hand look at the new season as they venture to FL to see the boys in action for their last season at Chain-of-Lakes Park. Hopefully, they will send back a full (and encouraging) report with lots of cheesy photo goodness. Next year we're all off to Arizona for our Spring baseball, so enjoy the EST starts on the radio while you can.
So, get your blankets, electric socks and snowshoes ready. The Tribe actually opens the season at home this year with a March 31st date against the anemic Chicago White Sox. I, for one, am ready to shout "Pppppllllaaaaay Bbbbbballlll!"
1 comment:
Ahem... GO REDS!!!!!
That is all.
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