78-84

[imahustla]

Nice way to finish up last year's amazing 93-69 finish, from which we have NOTHING to show for, anyways...no playoffs, no nothing.

This is a talented team with a forward-thinking GM, with great talent everywhere. Eric Wedge is the problem with the Tribe. Look at how the Red Sox went all the way in Terry Francona's first year, how the White Sox won it all in Ozzie Guillen's second year, and how the Tigers made the playoffs in Jim Leyland's first year. Wedge has had four full seasons now with this team and he hasn't made the playoffs even once, and has three losing seasons.

Did somebody say "Joe Girardi?"

 

[cdt]

I hope your not insinuating us signing Joe Girardi..

 

[The Oi]

The difference was the bullpen. Our bullpen personnel was almost completely different.

 

[cdt]

Bobby Howry was perfect last year..Wickman shut it down at a good clip. We thought losing them would be piece of cake..well the year before without them we were the same team we were this year.

 

[Mac]

The problem isnt Wedge....it's not his fault he doesnt have enough talent.

The owner is the problem.

 

[cdt]

It's one thing to develop your own players but when you need something specific..like a lefty in the bullpen.

A power corner outfielder..it's kinda hard to bring those guys up..plus we're getting to the point where every position player is under 25 and it's nice to have some vets.

This year we were slumping and there was no one around to pickup the young guys..because they either were inexperienced themselves or we traded them.

Boone needs to go..Carlos Lee over Casey Blake and etc....

 

[The Oi]

Barring an awesome opportunity to snap up a serious power bat or a couple strong relievers, I'd like to keep Blake for two reasons.

(1) At his age it's rare for a player to improve year by year. He has done so.

(2) Everybody on this team likes him.

GUYS WE SHOULD MOVE:

Jason Michaels, Paul Byrd, Aaron Boone

GUYS I'D MOVE AT THE RIGHT PRICE:

Anyone but the guys below.

GUYS WHO MUST STAY:
Haf, Grady, Garko, Sowers, C.C. (Sorry, but I'm really starting to trust him.)

 

[CornerThree]

Michaels was a great 4th OF in philly. He's definitely not a starter.

 

[The Oi]

Michaels was a great 4th OF in philly. He's definitely not a starter.

As a fourth outfielder, Michaels is a keeper. I just have the feeling we could package him for a pitcher. He should probably be in my second category.

 

[imahustla]

The problem isnt Wedge....it's not his fault he doesnt have enough talent.

The owner is the problem.

How does Wedge not have enough talent? He had five All-Stars in 2004 and still finished below .500. Hafner missed the last month this year yet hit 42 homeruns and drove in 117 RBI. That was top five leaguewide in each category. Peter Gammons wrote a column for ESPN.com this week saying that Grady Sizemore is the best player in the American League. C.C. Sabathia is a two-time All-Star who is just 26-years old. Cliff Lee won 14 games this year. Jhonny Peralta has been compared to Miguel Tejada despite his sophomore slump this season, while Victor Martinez is one of the best offensive catchers in all of baseball.

I don't think it's a talent issue. We have more talent than the Tigers (at least as much talent if you look at their roster). Yet they win 95 games and we win 78. You can't put everything on the owner. And I'm not a big fan of Dolan, either. I'm just saying that you can't pin all of this on him.

 

[cavincali]

Pitching sucked. End of story.

 

[cdt]

When your up 15-0 at home in the bottom of the 7th and your starting pitcher is pulled in favor of a releiver and the home fans start to leave the stadium you know it's bad.

 

[James]

your guys pitching is still your weakest point, you have a good player in Grady, and a very very good player in Hafner hopefully you guys get to hold onto them for a while. what you guys really need is to go to games, sell the stadium out, go to games, bring that place back to what it was in the 90s, i have been to the Jake about 5 or 6 times, and its a great place to watch baseball and you have very good fans, but the fan support has been lacking the past couple years and its sad to see. and your GM needs to go out and sign players and dump a few that you got right now.

 

[cavincali]

your guys pitching is still your weakest point, you have a good player in Grady, and a very very good player in Hafner hopefully you guys get to hold onto them for a while. what you guys really need is to go to games, sell the stadium out, go to games, bring that place back to what it was in the 90s, i have been to the Jake about 5 or 6 times, and its a great place to watch baseball and you have very good fans, but the fan support has been lacking the past couple years and its sad to see. and your GM needs to go out and sign players and dump a few that you got right now.

Once again you proved that you know nothing about Cleveland sports. Hafner and Sizemore are already locked up.

 

[imahustla]

Once again you proved that you know nothing about Cleveland sports. Hafner and Sizemore are already locked up.

Your calling out of James here is unfair, Cali. While Grady is locked up, Pronk goes unrestricted in 2008. They re-signed him before last year, but they were retarded and gave VMart a deal through 2010 and gave Pronk a deal though just 2008. I would have given them both deals through 2010.

Pronk will be 31 in 2008. Lot of guys have seen their best days after the age of 30. And remember...Pronk will want (and deserve) Ortiz money. And also remember...the Yankees would sure love him as their DH.