So, Larry Dolan and his son, Paul, have uttered the phrase "We'll spend when the time is right" many times during their disasterous tenure as owners of the Indians, as their fan base complained about all of the white-flag-waving trades the dynamic duo have signed off on over the years and payroll has been slashed.
Well, that time is now ... RIGHT NOW!
The Indians weren't expected do much but try to avoid losing 100 games and finishing below the Royals in the AL Central during the preseason. Instead, they took the Major Leagues by storm with a torrid April and a hot May to put them comfortably in first place in their division.
Then, the June Swoon hit, and that seven-game lead has withered away to nothing. In fact, as of this moment, the Tribe aren't even in first place.
Joe Cleveland is imploring the Indians that, if they are serious about winning ball games and contending, the "right time" is right now.
Open up that paycheck, and acquire some talent to shore things up.
The Indians have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs. Can you imagine how ga-ga Cleveland will be if that happens? Especially since the NFL is still in a lockout (although it appears that could end within a couple of weeks) and the NBA is about to be in a lockout.
The Tribe is the only game in town!
With that being the case, and the team winning, fans really, really, REALLY want to believe it can happen. They really want to flock to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario and watch the Indians, be entertained, and, most importantly, they want to see WINS!
They don't want to see Fausto Carmona get tagged and get yanked by the third inning, or Jack Hannahan go 0-for-4, or the never-ending Columbus shuffle of Travis Buck and Shelley Duncan continue to fail more than they succeeed.
They don't want to see Austin Kearns in an Indians uniform ... EVER AGAIN!
They don't want to see Grady Sizemore and his hacking self bat leadoff.
They don't want to see a starting rotation anchored by Fausto, who, at this point, would probably get lit up in the Frontier League, while these supposed "can't-miss" prospects like Zach McAllister, Jeanmar Gomez and Drew Pomeranz continally get hitters out in the minors.
They don't want to see a .220-hitting Carlos Santana bat cleanup.
And, they don't want to hear Manny Acta make excuses for his players' screw ups. Hold them accountable. When Tony Sipp balks, or Fausto deliberately throws at Mark Texiera, don't defend them. It only hurts your credibiltiy in the eyes of the media and the fans.
It's time for the Indians to use that supposed "bounty" of minor league talent and turn it into something that help this team NOW on the Major League level.
Teams that build for the future continue to build for a future that never seems to come. Fans don't want to hear about building for the future. They want a championship -- ANY CHAMPIONSHIP!
A World Series championship -- the first one in 63 years -- would do just fine.
Of course, knowing the Indians, they'll want to obtain an additional bat (definite holes at first and third base, and the outfield with Shin-Soo Choo on the DL) on the cheap. Well, Chris Antonetti and Mark Shapiro, here are some guys that might be obtainable:
1. Alfonso Soriano/Carlos Pena -- Soriano has proven that he still has it, hitting 14 home runs and batting .271 for the mediocre Cubs. He'd be a definite upgrade in the outfield. Pena has always been an all-or-nothing hitter, and despite his .221 average, he also has 14 homers for the Cubs. I think a team going nowhere like the Cubs would listen to inquiries for both of these guys. Pena is a defnite first-base upgrade over LaPorta, who is playing like LaPorta Potty. At this stage, LaPorta may be better off as a defensive replacement and a situational pinch-hitter (bench depth). Power is definitely lacking with the Tribe, and that would change in a hurry with either of these two.
2. Ryan Ludwick -- Ludwick spent time as an Indians prospect but was given up on. Of course, he promptly went to the National League, where he flourished with the St. Louis Cardinals. Currently with the San Diego Padres, Ludwick could easily be had. He's also a free agent after the season, so the Dolans don't have to worry about committing long-term dollars to him (unless they want to). He's a solid stick and solid outfielder who puts up good power numbers. In this lineup, power is a definite need.
3. Jim Thome -- Thome is clearly on the downside of his career. He's only hanging around long enough to reach 600 home runs. Of course, he'd love one last chance to win a World Series -- and last season was the first time he had been in the playoffs since he infamously turned down Dolan's low-ball offer and signed with the Phillies as a free agent (pissing off the Tribe fanbase in the process). Thome can still hit for power, and his leadership in a young clubhouse would be immense. Plus, I think, deep down, the Indians fans would love to forgive Thome and welcome him back into the Wigwam. If Travis Hafner continues to have health problems, you need a DH that can deliver, not Shelley Duncan or Austin Kearns. You could probably give the Twins a bucket of balls for Thome at this point.
4. Juan Uribe -- It was last year that Uribe hit 24 home runs for the World Champion Giants while holding down the hot corner. This year, Uribe is struggling (.208-4-23). However, that could be a result of circumstance -- the Dodgers haven't exactly been the greatest environment this season with the ownership mess. They can barely afford to make payroll, and there's no chance for a postseason run. He could thrive in a change of scenery, especially when that change involves a pennant race. Uribe could probably be had for a song. I think that's a tune the Indians should at least listen to.
5. Vladimer Guerrero -- Guerrero, once upon a time one of the most feared sluggers in baseball, is currently playing rather anoymously for the last-place Orioles, but putting up respectible numbers as their regular DH (.283-6-28). Imagine how much better he could be if he was playing for a team that had a realistic chance to reach the playoffs and then some. Guerrero isn't getting any younger, but he could be easily obtained. He still plays some outfield for Baltimore, which is where he could help the Tribe.
6. Hideki Matsui -- Matsui is also not getting any younger. However, there's no denying his track record, just two years removed from 28 homers and a year removed from 21 for the Angels. He's currently toiling with the last-place A's, hitting just .226 with 6 homers and 30 RBIs. However, Matsui has been a winner his whole career. Put him on a winning team, and I bet his numbers improve. I bet Billy Beane would listen to anyone inquiring about "Godzilla," and Antonetti should be one of those interested parties.
7. Jose Bautista -- OK, so the Indians wouldn't be able to get him on the "cheap." However, can you imagine that stick in the middle of the Indians' lineup? Plus, he's versatile, having played both third base and outfield (two major positions of need at this point). This one is wishful thinking. The Blue Jays are mired in mediocrity, but they may not be willing to part with their main drawing card. The man is definitely not a one-year wonder. It would be worth a call to see.
8. Omar Vizquel -- Omar is definitely not a power hitter. He never has. However, even at the ripe age of 44, Vizquel can still put the ball in play and can still play a sterling defense. He can even play third and second now. He'd be a phenomenal utility infielder and a great leader in the clubhouse. Plus, Indians fans still adore him -- he's probably the only guy to leave as a free agent who has never been booed. It would be a great PR move to let him retire as an Indian, but he'd also be helpful to a young team looking to make a playoff push.
9. Carlos Lee -- Lee is another in the 30-plus club who isn't exactly lighting up the world with his numbers (.265-5-38) for the NL Central celler-dwelling Houston Astros. A change of scenery could do him some good. Plus, he shores up a position of need (outfield) and brings a proven bat to the lineup. Houston is managed by Brad Mills -- perhaps Antonetti can deal him his son, first-round bust Beau Mills, for Lee.
10. Todd Helton -- The left-handed hitting first baseman has enjoyed a sort of renaissance with the Rockies this season, hitting .308 with 9 HRs and 32 RBIs. Helton has played in one World Series, losing to the Red Sox in 2007 (Indians fans still lament about that one, since they had a 3-1 lead on Boston with home field advantage and squandered it). He's not a terrific power threat, but he brings a feared and respected bat to the lineup, along with a veteran presence. Colorado is still hanging around in the mediocre NL West, so they may not be in sell-off mode.
I also believe the Indians should look for a left-handed starter to replace Fausto. They're the only team in the majors to have not started a lefty this season, and that should change. If you're going to add a veteran presence to a young rotation, their best bet is a lefty.
It will be interesting to see what the Indians do, if anything. Doing nothing, however, speaks volumes to a fan base who still believes their owners are cheap and don't care about winning.
***
Joe Cleveland has let the Cavaliers' draft marinate in his mind for a few days before commenting on it.
Fan reaction has been pretty severe, mostly due to the Tristan Thompson selection at No. 4 and sticking with it. The other bone of contention is the selection of Justin Harper and the trade of him to Orlando for a pair of future second-rounders.
At first, I wasn't happy. I wanted Derrick Williams over Kyrie Irving, and believed that they could take Williams and point guard Brandon Knight at 1 and 4 and everyone would be happy. And, as the draft played itself out, had the Cavs taken Williams, they could have very well wound up with Knight at No. 4.
I wasn't 100 percent sold on Irving, even though everyone believes he was, hands down, the one "sure thing" in this draft. To go from 13 games as a college freshman to 82 in the NBA as a 19-year-old isn't easy. However, he carries himself with a maturity you don't see from many 19-year-olds, and has shown flashes of brilliance during the few times he played with Duke. He comes from a great family, which is also encourging.
The key to this draft will be Thompson. If Thompson blossoms into a good pro, this draft becomes a success. If Thompson is a bust, so too is this draft, and an opportunity would be squandered.
Thompson is very similar to J.J. Hickson, who I believe will be playing for a different team next season (if there is a next season). Hickson clashed with Byron Scott and wasn't shy about his affinity for LeBron James, even though his name was "mud" around Cavs headquarters. He took games off and didn't respond to Scott's "tough love." It's time for a change of scenery.
However, you're in the same boat you were when Hickson was drafted. Both left after their freshmen years with solid tools that needed refined. Thompson may be a bit more pro-ready than Hickson was. However, Thompson is a bit wild, and his free-throw shooting is pretty dismal. Thompson's improvement will be the key, as is how he compares to Derrick Williams, who Cavs fans now believe a duo of Williams-Knight would have been stronger than a Thompson-Irving duo.
And, he'll have to be compared to Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas, who was passed over for Thompson and went with the very next pick to Toronto. Valanciunas had contract issues from his European club, and was also considered a raw project, which were factors in the Cavs' decision (even though ESPN proclaimed they were going to take him at No. 4).
If there is a prolonged lockout, Cavs fans will have to wait a while to see how the new rookies play. However, even though I think Thompson is a bit of a reach, the Cavs addressed two positions of need with young players, so I'll give it a passing grade. It could have been better, but it could have been worse.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
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